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Construction & Trades Senior High sponsorship likelihood (indicative)
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Project Manager (Construction) in the United Kingdom

A delivery-first leadership role: you own the programme, subcontractors, budget control, risk, quality, and handover. UK employers expect strong English, clear documentation, and reliable site presence.

CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Tip: add 2–3 quantified delivery examples (budget, programme acceleration, defect reduction, claims avoided).
Typical salary (gross) £47,500–£72,500 / year (role & region dependent)
Market midpoint (gross) ~£52,500–£58,700 / year (public market averages)
Contract day rate (gross) Commonly ~£450–£700 / day (project scope dependent)
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must have the right to work in the UK or apply for roles where sponsorship is possible (depends on employer, project, and requirements).

Pay guidance is gross (brutto) and indicative. Actual offers depend on discipline (fit-out, civils, residential), location, project value, and contract type.

What you will deliver (what “good” looks like)

  1. Mobilisation that sticks: programme baseline, subcontractor scopes, logistics plan, permits, reporting rhythm.
  2. Programme control: weekly look-ahead, critical path awareness, constraints removed early.
  3. Commercial discipline: variations tracked, instructions documented, valuations supported by records.
  4. Quality by design: ITPs, hold points, snagging strategy, defect prevention not just rework.
  5. Safe delivery: consistent inductions, RAMS oversight, risk visibility and near-miss learning.
  6. Handover & close-out: O&M packs, as-builts, training, warranties, practical completion readiness.

UK clients value documentation that is short, factual, and auditable.

A realistic UK project rhythm (unique role story)

A construction PM is often hired when delivery risk becomes expensive: programme drift, subcontractor interface issues, unclear changes, or quality defects. In the UK, the role is typically measured by predictability.

First 30–60–90 days (typical)
  • 30: stabilise reporting, confirm scope boundaries, lock procurement lead times.
  • 60: reduce surprises: risks logged, constraints tracked, change control active.
  • 90: delivery cadence: weekly outputs repeatable, rework trending down.

Core responsibilities (construction PM)

  • Plan and drive the master programme; lead weekly coordination with subcontractors and suppliers.
  • Manage site interfaces: sequencing, access, temporary works coordination, logistics and deliveries.
  • Own progress reporting to client/consultant team: milestones, risks, decisions required.
  • Control change: RFIs, instructions, variation log, impact on time/cost, record keeping.
  • Oversee quality plan: inspections, test plans, snagging, commissioning readiness and handover packs.
  • Ensure consistent H&S leadership: inductions, toolbox talks, RAMS reviews, safety observations.

Requirements (detailed)

  • Proven delivery: multi-trade projects with measurable outcomes (time, cost, quality).
  • UK-style documentation: short reports, action logs, change records, meeting minutes.
  • Commercial awareness: understands valuations, variations, subcontractor management.
  • Contracts literacy: comfortable with common UK forms (e.g., NEC / JCT concepts).
  • Site access: construction sites often expect CSCS (manager-level) and relevant H&S tickets.
  • English: strong enough to chair meetings and write clear progress updates.

Tickets vary by employer/project; typical expectations include SMSTS and a manager-level CSCS card.

Gross pay & package (UK market signals)

  • Typical gross band: £47,500–£72,500 / year for many permanent roles.
  • Midpoint signals: public averages commonly sit around ~£52,500–£58,700 / year.
  • Top-end: senior / complex delivery can reach ~£100k+ in some datasets.
  • Contracting: day rates frequently cluster in the ~£450–£700+ range (scope-dependent).
  • Benefits often seen: pension, holiday, bonus, car allowance (varies), training budget.

All figures shown are gross (brutto) and indicative; location (London/South East), sector, and project value can shift ranges materially.

UK working conditions (practical, non-legal summary)

Working time & breaks

  • Many projects run early starts and fixed site windows; overtime can happen near key milestones.
  • Statutory baseline: a 20-minute rest break if the working day exceeds 6 hours (contract may offer more).
  • Weekly hours are typically managed as an average over a reference period; opt-out can exist for some roles.

Holiday & sickness (baseline)

  • Statutory annual leave baseline is the equivalent of 5.6 weeks (often 28 days for a 5-day week; contract defines details).
  • Statutory Sick Pay exists as a weekly amount (eligibility and employer schemes vary by contract).

Site norms UK employers watch

  • Visible H&S leadership: PPE compliance, briefings, and consistent reporting culture.
  • Clean records: actions, drawings/registers, RFIs, change log, handover evidence.
  • Subcontractor control: clear scope boundaries, quality hold points, and interface management.

This is operational guidance (not legal advice). Your contract and the specific employer/site rules are decisive.

Next step: Submit your CV via the CV page. We will screen your profile against current UK demand and client requirements for construction leadership roles.
Go to CV page (Required) Browse more Construction & Trades roles

Unique page module (anti-duplicate, stable per URL)

Below content is injected by a deterministic “anti-template” engine: it selects a page-specific micro-story line, a short employer expectation note, and a compact interview checklist. This keeps page logic stable (no randomisation) while varying the copy and structure across the category.

Employer expectation note

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Interview checklist (bring evidence)

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Mini case prompt

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FAQ (Project Manager — Construction, UK)

What gross salary should I expect in the UK for this role?

For many permanent roles, a common gross band is £47,500–£72,500/year, with market midpoints often reported around ~£52,500–£58,700/year. Senior complexity (high-value projects, London/South East, specialist sectors) can push higher. Contracting can sit in the ~£450–£700/day area depending on scope and engagement model.

Do I need SMSTS and a CSCS card?

Many UK construction environments expect manager-level site safety competence and site access compliance. Employers often ask for SMSTS (or equivalent) and a manager-level CSCS card, but the exact combination depends on the project and client rules.

What experience matters most to UK employers?

UK employers typically prioritise repeatable delivery: stable weekly outputs, controlled change, documented decisions, and evidence that you can lead subcontractors without quality/H&S drift. Strong reporting and commercial discipline (variations, valuations, records) often differentiate candidates.

Is visa sponsorship possible for non-UK candidates?

It can be, but it is always employer- and role-dependent. The strongest profiles show senior ownership, credible UK-ready documentation, and a clear match to the employer’s project pipeline. Treat sponsorship likelihood as indicative, not guaranteed.

What should my CV include to get shortlisted?

Keep it evidence-heavy: project values, durations, scope, programme outcomes, subcontractor headcount, safety performance, variation control examples, and handover results. Add tools used (planning/reporting) and certificates/tickets where applicable.

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