Civils lead

Purpose of the Role

 

The Site Manager – Civils is responsible for the day-to-day management of all civil engineering works on a residential development — site clearance, earthworks, roads, drainage, and services infrastructure — ensuring works are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the required quality and specification ahead of superstructure trades commencing.

 

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety

• Ensure all works are conducted in compliance with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work legislation and company H&S policy.
• Ensure all work activities are carried out in line with the agreed site safety policies.
• Oversee site inductions and toolbox talks, ensuring RAMS are in place, communicated, and adhered to before work commences.
• Maintain a safe site, monitoring PPE compliance, welfare facilities, excavation safety, and site traffic management.
• Report and investigate incidents and near misses, implementing corrective actions.

Programme & Delivery

• Plan and manage the sequencing of civils works — site clearance, earthworks, drainage, roads, and services — to meet the overall project programme.
• Coordinate groundworks, drainage, and utility subcontractors (ESB Networks, Irish Water, Gas Networks Ireland, telecoms) to ensure services are installed and connected in line with programme.
• Monitor progress against programme, proactively identifying and resolving delays, and reporting status to the Contracts/Project Manager.
• Consult closely with the Site Engineer on setting out, levels, and as-built records.
• Manage, Monitor all off-site civil activities where applicable to a project

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all civils works are constructed in accordance with drawings, specifications, and Building Control (BCAR) requirements.
• Ensure compliance with road and drainage specifications, consulting with the Local Authority and Irish Water on taking-in-charge requirements.
• Conduct and oversee inspections and signoffs at key stages, ensuring no works are covered up before approval.
• Maintain accurate site records, test certificates (e.g. compaction testing, concrete cube tests, drainage CCTV surveys), and quality assurance documentation.

Commercial & Resource Management

• Manage civils subcontractors and suppliers to ensure works are delivered within budget.
• Monitor and control plant, materials, and labour on site to minimise waste and avoid delay.
• Consult with the Quantity Surveyor on variations, dayworks, and subcontractor accounts.
• Assist with procurement and management of plant hire for groundworks and civils operations.

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Supervise and manage Site Engineers, groundworkers, and civils subcontractors on site.
• Consult with the Design Team, consultants, Local Authority, and utility providers to resolve technical queries.
• Attend and contribute to site progress meetings.
• Support the Project Manager in the transition from the civils/infrastructure phase into superstructure works.

 

Requirements

Essential

• Degree/qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent trade background with significant civils experience).
• Minimum 5–7 years' experience in a Site Manager role, with a strong civils/groundworks background.
• Proven experience managing roads, drainage, and services infrastructure on residential/housing developments.
• Strong knowledge of Building Regulations, BCAR, and relevant Irish Standards and codes of practice (e.g. Irish Water Codes of Practice, GDSDS).
• Full clean driving licence.
• Experience liaising directly with Irish Water, ESB Networks, and Local Authorities on connections and taking-in-charge.
• Experience with site management software (e.g. Procore).
• Experience managing multiple civils packages concurrently across a phased development.