Job Description

Background:

Veolia is Ireland’s leading environmental services company. We provide a comprehensive range of energy, waste and water solutions and are dedicated to carbon reduction, protecting the environment and building the circular economy. We offer all employees a benefits package as standard which includes full VHI cover, pension and education assistance.

When you see the world as we do, you see the chance to help the world take better care of its resources, and help it become a better place for everyone. It's why we're looking for someone who's just as committed as we are, to push for genuine change and bring our ambition of Ecological Transformation to life.

We know that everyone here at Veolia can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.

Senior Project Manager – Design & Build (Construction)

Reports to: Head of Design & Build – Water

Working Pattern:Flexible hybrid arrangement—home, site, and head office (Kilkenny) based

Contract Type: Permanent

of the Role

The Senior Project Manager – Design & Build (Construction Delivery) is a critical leadership position within Veolia’s Design & Build Water business in Ireland, responsible for driving excellence in construction delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role ensures safe, compliant, sustainable, and cost-effective project outcomes while supporting Veolia’s strategic growth in the Irish water market.

Working in close coordination with the Head of Design & Build and the Technical Department, the Senior Project Manager will oversee end-to-end construction delivery, from pre-construction planning through to commissioning and operational handover. This position requires a hands-on leader with a strong background in large-scale construction execution, multidisciplinary team management, and contract administration, with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency in water/wastewater infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Health & Safety, Environmental & Quality (HSEQ)

• Champion a zero-harm safety culture, ensuring all construction activities comply with Veolia’s HSQE policies, industry standards, and legislative requirements.

• Oversee environmental compliance, with a focus on energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and circular economy principles in construction practices.

• Maintain rigorous QA/QC processes, ensuring all construction works meet design specifications, client requirements, and regulatory standards.

• Lead incident investigations, near-miss reporting, and continuous improvement in safety and quality performance.

Programme Delivery & Governance

• Oversee end-to-end construction delivery of Design & Build projects, ensuring adherence to budget, programme, quality, and performance standards in alignment with Veolia’s governance frameworks.

• Drive early contractor engagement, ensuring seamless integration between design, procurement, and construction phases to optimise Constructibility, value engineering, and risk management.

• Lead project risk management and escalation processes, working closely with the Head of Design & Build to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with Veolia’s engineering governance, design assurance, and technical standards.

• Implement robust project controls, including cost tracking, schedule management, forecasting (Monthly, Quarterly & Annually) and progress reporting, using tools such as MS Project, Procurement cost control sheets, BIM 360, and Autodesk Construction Cloud to ensure transparency and accountability.

• Oversee commissioning, testing, and operational handover, ensuring alignment between design, delivery, and future operational needs while validating asset performance.

• Develop a lessons learned approach across all construction, design and commissioning activities to ensure a continuous improvement loop.

Construction Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead the construction phase of Design & Build projects, ensuring safe, compliant, and high-quality execution in line with Veolia’s HSQE policies, industry standards, and legislative requirements.

• Manage subcontractor and supply chain performance, ensuring capability, capacity, and value for money while maintaining Veolia’s standards for safety, quality, and sustainability.

• Champion a zero-harm safety culture, ensuring all construction activities comply with Veolia’s HSQE policies and industry best practices.

• Drive innovation in construction methodologies, including lean construction, digitalization (BIM, drones ), and off-site fabrication, to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

• Support the piloting and adoption of Veolia Technologies in construction projects, ensuring scalability and commercial viability.

People Leadership & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Project Managers and their teams, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and accountability in line with Veolia’s values.

• Build capability within the team, identifying training needs, succession planning, and talent retention strategies to support the growth of the Design & Build business.

• Champion a positive, inclusive work environment, ensuring alignment with Veolia’s organisational values and behaviours.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging team members to identify and implement process enhancements and best practices.

• Work closely with peers to ensure we are continuously improving delivery standards across all work programmes.

• Champion change management to continuously adapt and improve systems.

Commercial & Supply Chain

• Support the development and administration of commercial and contract strategies, ensuring alignment with Veolia’s risk appetite and business objectives.

• Monitor project financial performance, including cost control, change management, and claims administration, to ensure adherence to budget and margin targets.

• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure value-driven subcontractor and material procurement, while monitoring market trends and partner performance.

• Identify and mitigate commercial risks, escalating issues as required to the Head of Design & Build.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as the primary escalation point of contact for clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders during construction delivery, ensuring transparent and proactive communication.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Uisce Éireann, local authorities, and key industrial clients, ensuring client satisfaction and repeat business.

• Represent Veolia in programme meetings, progress reviews, and dispute resolution forums, ensuring alignment with client expectations and contractual obligations.

• Ensure consistent and accurate reporting to the Head of Design & Build, including monthly progress updates, risk registers, and financial performance reviews via the PMO.

Required Experience & Skills

Essential

• 5+ years’ experience in construction management roles within large-scale water/wastewater or civil infrastructure projects, with a strong background in Design & Build delivery.

• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary construction teams, including Project Managers, Site Agents, and subcontractors, in a high-performance environment.

• Strong technical expertise in water/wastewater treatment processes, civil engineering, MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation), and construction methodologies.

• Experience in contract administration, including but not limited to FIDIC, or public works contracts, with a focus on risk management, change control, and claims resolution.

• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop, and retain high-performing teams.

• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in budget management, cost control, and financial reporting.

• Proficient in construction management tools, including MS Project.

• Relevant engineering or construction qualification (e.g., Engineer, Construction Manager, or equivalent professional accreditation or experience).

• Advanced problem-solving and troubleshooting capability, with a focus on constructability, value engineering, and risk mitigation.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.

Desirable

• Experience working with Irish Water/Uisce Éireann or public sector clients.

• Knowledge of Veolia’s Design & Build processes, Invesco governance, and HSQE standards.

• Familiarity with digital construction tools.

Personal Attributes

• Highly motivated, collaborative, and accountable leader with a strong focus on delivery excellence.

• Strong commercial and strategic mindset, with the ability to balance technical, financial, and operational priorities.

• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, from site teams to senior management and clients.

• Committed to safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

Please note:

​If you are an EU/EEA national, you will be asked to show proof of right to work in Ireland.

If you are a non-EU/EEA national , you will require current and valid permission to work and reside in the Republic of Ireland.

Information on legislation and guides to the procedures in relation to obtaining greencard permits ,work permits, spousal/dependant permits is available on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation website.