Construction Management Trainee (Trainee Operational Manager)

Location: Sewell Head Office, HU7 0DG / Calder House Office, HX5 9DX

Hours: 40hrs per week, Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Pay: Competitive Salary, plus bonus opportunity based on individual and business performance

Role Overview

The Trainee Operational Manager will work in the project team under the leadership of the project leadership and will share the responsibility for the successful delivery of any given project to the client's satisfaction and in accordance with Sewell policies, procedures and cultural approach, known as Construction Excellence.

Why start your career with Sewell Construction?

• Be part of a Co-Owned Business
• Personalised induction programme to introduce you to all aspects of our business, our vision and values, the wider group structure and your role - as well as getting to know your new colleagues
• Regular reviews to track your development and progress and identify opportunities for further training and improvement to help you on your career path
• The opportunity to gain knowledge and experience across our varied service offer
• Professional development and support in pursuing your professional accreditation
• Internal training and development opportunities, including leadership workshops, personal development skills, management training and ‘learning lunches'
• Coaching and mentoring with our own business leaders and across the wider Sewell Group
• Peer to peer support network with other trainees and graduates across the Sewell Group

Culture & Brand

As a Trainee Operational Manager, you will embody our company values and set the standard for professionalism, teamwork, and customer focus:

• Maintain a Positive Mindset - Always striving for excellence, with a proactive and solutions-focused approach
• Be Professional - Uphold high standards of communication, time management, and reliability. Lead by example, treating others with respect and expecting the same in return
• Work as a Team Player - Adapt to a fast-paced environment, support colleagues, and collaborate with clients and supply chain partners to build strong relationships
• Be Customer Focused - Deliver outstanding quality, ensuring customer satisfaction and contributing to a lasting positive impact on communities
• Do the Right Thing - Address challenges head-on with honesty and integrity, ensuring high standards of behaviour and bringing stakeholders along on our journey
• Act as a Business Ambassador - Support positive communication and align with project communication plans to enhance our company's reputation

Key Responsibilities

• Foster strong relationships among stakeholders, support cross-business collaboration, drive project momentum, encourage clear and proactive communication, lead by example with an inclusive mindset, and actively engage in company-wide initiatives.
• Support the project team in setting clear expectations and encouraging suppliers to exceed standards, assist in implementing the ‘Vitality Curve' to manage performance fairly and effectively. Provide continuous, constructive feedback to supply chain partners.
• Ensure the site boundary is clean and tidy, roads are well-maintained, and visitors are welcomed professionally. Maintain high standards in welfare and office areas to reinforce a culture of respect and encourage operatives and visitors to treat site accommodation and facilities with care and professionalism.
• Support the project team in fostering honest, two-way communication with clients and end users and ensure commitments are met to build trust and long-term relationships. Promote a professional and welcoming environment for clients and visitors and encourage client advocacy by consistently exceeding expectations.
• Support the project team in setting clear client expectations for project completion. Provide post-completion support to address any defects, and adopt a proactive, problem-solving mindset to ensure clients receive a high-quality final product.
• Support the project team in maintaining a safe working environment by ensuring compliance with H&S policies, reviewing safety practices, participating in site inspections, coordinating safety documentation, engaging in safety compliance and training, and promoting industry best practices in health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Assist the project team in meeting financial targets by minimising waste and inefficiencies and drive cost efficiency by identifying and mitigating financial risks. Ensure contractual compliance to protect business interests and participate in risk meetings to address key risks affecting project success.
• Assist in reviewing designs to ensure they are practical and can be efficiently constructed on site, support the timely coordination of designs to ensure accuracy and avoid rework, and verify that designs meet all relevant legislation and industry guidance.
• Assist the project team in tracking progress and reporting in line with company policies, support the development and implementation of short-term programmes to achieve key milestones and project completion, and facilitate coordination with the project team and supply chain to maintain programme commitments and keep work on schedule.
• Support the project team in setting and upholding quality standards across all contractors, ensure effective application of quality policies and procedures and identify and resolve quality issues. Reinforce quality expectations to prevent rework and verify compliance with contractors' quality plans through necessary inspections and checks.
• Assist in upholding environmental performance standards to ensure compliance with environmental laws, support sustainable practices to prevent pollution and protect natural habitats. Monitor and report environmental issues, engage with local communities to reduce impact, drive environmental awareness among suppliers and partners, and support incident management to ensure swift action is taken.

This list is not exhaustive, full role profile available upon request.
Requirements
Essential

• Full UK Driving Licence, and your own vehicle
• Strong leadership qualities with a proactive, professional approach
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft software, along with use of digital technology for productivity and efficiency
• A commitment to delivering world-class construction projects
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders
• Strong organisational abilities, with the capacity to prioritise multiple tasks
• A positive attitude towards learning, development, and career progression
• A flexible approach to working hours, including occasional out-of-hours work
• A working knowledge of current Health & Safety practices.

Desirable

• Working towards or holding a relevant professional qualification in construction or project management.

Sewell Group is an equal opportunities employer, recruiting within the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to the promotion of diversity and equal opportunity, as an employer and in the delivery of our products and services.

As a committed safe employer, an enhanced DBS (criminal record) check will be carried out for the successful candidate of this role.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Bonus opportunity
• 25 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), rising with length of service to 30 days
• Being a Co-Owner of Sewell Estates, learn more here: Employee Ownership - Sewell Group (sewell-group.co.uk)
• Auto Enrolment pension
• Staff discounts
• High Street & Retail discount schemes
• Bike 2 Work Scheme
• Technology Scheme
• Paid Parental Leave and Sickness Absence schemes.