Job Details
The Head of Construction – SSI is responsible for leading the Production / Construction function in Subsea Innovation. The role ensures that all SSI products (including Launch and Recovery Systems, subsea clamps, water stops, J-tubes, hang‑off clamps and other subsea structures) are manufactured, assembled and tested safely, on time, to specification and to the required quality standards.
The role manages the workshop facility and associated construction activities, provides technical and operational leadership to the production team, and is accountable for OHS, quality, resource planning, people management, training and continuous improvement within the function.
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| Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Education
- Essential: 1–3 Year Diploma in Engineering or relevant technical discipline (NQF 6), as per Paterson grid.
- Desirable: Additional training in project management, health and safety (e.g. NEBOSH/IOSH), quality or lean manufacturing.
Experience
- 7–8 years’ relevant experience in production/workshop/construction roles within engineering, subsea, offshore or heavy fabrication environments, including leadership responsibility.
- Demonstrable track record leading teams in manufacturing / assembly of complex mechanical and hydraulic systems.
- Experience in improving efficiency and implementing lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience dealing with client audits, inspections and FATs.
Technical Skills
- Strong practical understanding of:
- Mechanical, hydraulic and electrical assembly
- Welding and fabrication processes
- Polyurethane casting / coating processes
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and work instructions.
- Familiarity with QHSE systems, risk assessments and safe systems of work.
- Competent in using ERP / production planning systems and MS Office tools.
Professional Skills
- Strong leadership, team management and coaching capability.
- Planning, organising and prioritisation skills to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines.
- Problem solving and decision making in a practical, production context.
- Effective communication with shop floor staff, engineers, management and clients.
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| Key Responsibilities
Production & Construction Management
- Provide leadership and direction for all workshop and construction activities, ensuring safe and efficient fabrication, assembly and testing of SSI products and equipment.
- Plan, schedule and monitor production to meet project milestones, delivery dates and customer expectations.
- Oversee the manufacture of project equipment, refurbishment and maintenance activities, and the supply of spare parts to clients.
- Ensure accurate and efficient management of stock holding, bills of material (BOMs), work instructions and job routing.
- Manage workshop capacity, balancing resources, approving overtime and coordinating subcontractor activities where necessary.
People Management, IR & Team Development
- Line-manage supervisors and production staff: recruitment, onboarding, setting objectives, performance reviews and succession planning.
- Drive a positive, respectful and inclusive team culture, aligned with company values.
- Manage day-to-day IR/ER issues (attendance, conduct, performance) in line with HR policy and UK employment law, escalating complex cases to HR.
- Conduct informal counselling and formal processes (investigations, hearings, performance improvement plans) with HR support where required.
- Identify skills gaps and ensure training and development plans are in place for all team members (technical skills, safety training, multi-skilling).
- Support apprentices, trainees and cross-training initiatives to build a flexible, competent team.
OHS, Environmental & Quality Responsibilities
- Take ownership of health & safety performance within the workshop and construction activities, ensuring compliance with company QHSE systems and applicable laws/regulations.
- Ensure risk assessments, method statements, lifting plans and safe systems of work are in place and followed (e.g. for welding, lifting, mechanical/hydraulic/electrical assembly, PU processes).
- Enforce permit-to-work and lock-out/tag-out procedures as required.
- Promote a “Stop Work Authority” culture – empower staff to halt unsafe work.
- Ensure all product is manufactured safely and to approved drawings, specifications and procedures, and that Factory Acceptance Tests
- (FATs) are properly planned, executed and witnessed.
- Support external and internal audits, client inspections and certification activities; close out findings and drive corrective actions.
- Technical & Process Leadership
- Apply knowledge of welding, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical installation and polyurethane processes to guide construction methods and resolve shop-floor issues.
- Work closely with Engineering and Head of Technical to review designs for manufacturability, robustness and cost-effectiveness.
- Ensure that bills of material (BOMs), work instructions and technical drawings are accurate, current and reflect “best practice” methods.
- Lead or support continuous improvement projects, implementing lean manufacturing and waste-reduction techniques.
Project Support & Client Interface
- Provide construction input to project planning and identify constraints, resource needs and risks.
- Support bid and proposal stages by providing build methodology, durations and production
- cost estimates to the Commercial / Projects teams.
- Ensure successful client FATs, inspections and visits, resolving concerns promptly and maintaining a professional, customer-focused approach.
Financial & Asset Management
- Manage departmental budget (labour, materials, consumables, overtime, subcontractors) within agreed limits and targets.
- Ensure cost control through efficient resource utilisation, waste minimisation and effective planning.
- Oversee maintenance of workshop equipment, tools and lifting gear to ensure availability, compliance and safety. | 
