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Senior Construction Manager

Major Pumped Storage Hydropower Project | Romania

EWI is supporting the appointment of a Senior Construction Manager for a major Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) project in Romania.

This is a critical leadership position on one of Europe's most significant renewable energy infrastructure developments.

Our client is specifically seeking a construction-led site execution professional, not a traditional office-based Project Manager. This role requires a hands-on leader with deep experience in hydropower and underground construction who can take ownership of site operations, drive productivity, and ensure successful execution of complex civil works.

If your strengths lie in directing construction activities in the field, solving problems in real time, and leading delivery teams from the front line, this could be an exceptional opportunity.

The Role

The Senior Construction Manager will be responsible for overseeing the execution of major civil and underground works across the project.

This is fundamentally a site-based construction leadership role, with a strong focus on production, construction methodology, resource deployment, programme delivery, and operational performance.

The successful candidate will spend the majority of their time in the field, working directly with construction teams, subcontractors, and project leadership to ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with project objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage site-based construction execution activities.Drive productivity, performance, and programme delivery across multiple work fronts.Oversee large-scale underground and civil construction operations.Monitor production rates, equipment utilisation, resource allocation, and workforce productivity.Identify delivery risks, constraints, and bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.Coordinate subcontractors and construction teams to achieve programme milestones.Manage construction logistics, temporary works, material movement, and site facilities.Ensure effective coordination between civil works and electromechanical installation activities.Maintain the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental performance.Provide decisive construction leadership across all phases of execution.

Requirements

We are interested in speaking with construction professionals possessing approximately 15 to 25+ years of experience, with significant involvement in major hydropower and underground infrastructure projects.

Ideally, candidates will have experience on at least one major Pumped Storage Hydropower project and demonstrate direct responsibility for the execution of works including:

Underground powerhouse cavernsAccess and construction tunnelsHeadrace and tailrace tunnelsWaterways and shaftsDrill & blast tunnelling operationsTBM tunnelling operationsRock support, shotcrete, anchors, and underground stabilisationLarge-volume concrete worksDams and reservoir structuresIntake, outlet, and portal structuresPenstocks and major civil/E&M interfacesTemporary works and construction facilitiesBatching plants and concrete productionMuck disposal and materials handlingConstruction equipment and manpower planningSubcontractor managementShift organisation and production managementCoordination of civil construction with electromechanical installation

The Person

Our client is looking for someone who is comfortable spending 70-80% or more of their time on site and has a deep understanding of heavy civil construction methods.

You should be capable of walking onto a project and immediately assessing:

Tunnel advance performanceDrill and blast productivityEquipment utilisationConcrete production efficiencyWorkforce deploymentSite logistics and material flowConstruction sequencingCritical interfaces and programme risks

This is the type of role where you naturally challenge teams by asking:

Why was tunnel advance below target yesterday?Is the drilling and blasting cycle optimised?Are current manpower levels sufficient?Why is critical equipment standing idle?Can additional shifts or work fronts be established?What is delaying the next concrete pour?Are logistics arrangements supporting production targets?Which activities will become critical in the coming weeks?Are civil works properly aligned with the E&M installation programme?

Most importantly, you must be someone who not only identifies issues but can make decisions, reorganise resources, implement corrective measures, and drive improvements in site performance.

Preferred Background

Our client has a strong preference for candidates who have developed their careers within the contractor environment, rather than purely consultancy or engineering roles.

We are particularly interested in professionals with experience working for leading international hydropower, tunnelling, and underground construction contractors, including:

Apply

If you have a proven track record delivering major hydropower, tunnelling, and underground construction projects and are looking to take on a senior execution leadership role on a landmark PSH development, we would be pleased to discuss this opportunity with you in confidence.

Contact EWI for further information or to arrange a confidential discussion regarding the position.

ewi is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. ewi is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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