Construction Manager

Job description

AtkinsRéalis is one of Canada’s largest private sector nuclear engineering groups. We have been providing a wide range of services to the nuclear industry in Canada and around the world for more than 60 years.  We are proud to be the steward of Canadian CANDU nuclear technology and to apply our extensive knowledge to service the BWR/PWR market.  Our expertise includes: Nuclear Steam Plant (NSP) engineering, Balance of Plant (BOP) engineering, Plant Life Management and Extension, Retube Tooling Systems, Inspection and Maintenance Services, Steam Generator Replacement, Plant Equipment Refurbishment and Retrofits.

Our Nuclear Canada business is experiencing significant growth including new nuclear projects domestically and internationally. Located in southeastern Romania, Cernavoda is home to two operating 650 MWe CANDU 6 reactors, Units 1 and 2.  Candu units are pressurized heavy water reactors designed to operate for 30 years, with a further 30 years available subject to refurbishment. This includes the replacement of key reactor components such as steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder tubes. It involves removing all the reactor’s fuel and heavy water and isolating it from the rest of the power station before it is dismantled. Thousands of components, including those that are not accessible when the reactor is assembled, are inspected, and all 480 fuel channels and 960 feeder tubes are replaced during the high-precision rebuild.

The Unit 1 life extension project project began in 2017 and is currently in the final Execution phase. This phase, involves preparation of the main engineering, procurement and construction work, assessing, preparing and scheduling the activities to be carried out and obtaining all the authorizations and permits necessary to start the Construction works at site.

Purpose of Position

The Construction Manager will report to the Refurbishment Director, Cernavoda 1 Life Extension represent AtkinsRéalis in Romania and be embedded with our Construction Partner overseeing the construction planning activities on site, ensuring compliance with project plans, regulations, and safety standards.  This role will require close collaboration with the subcontractors, the client, and engineering, procurement, and other project stakeholders.  The successful candidate is expected to have significant experience in construction management specifically for Infrastructure, buildings and site support services.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Project Planning and Scope Definition: Develop comprehensive project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation. Define the project scope and deliverables in compliance with contract documents and client requirements. Coordinate with design teams, engineers, and contractors to ensure alignment on project goals and deliverables. Review the construction drawings, specifications, and contracts.
• Site Management: Oversee daily construction activities, ensuring adherence to project plans and specifications. Monitor site safety, quality control, and environmental compliance. Resolve on-site issues and conflicts, ensuring minimal disruption to project timeline
• People Management:  Maintain supervisory org. and mange career development of assigned project resources to the betterment of the individuals, the project and the business.  Assemble a project team through recruiting, interviewing and/or selecting staff with appropriate skills and establishing training and development programs suitable for the work.  This generally requires close coordination with functional managers from various functions (engineering, project controls, safety, quality etc.).  Make effective decisions / recommendations on human resource issues.
• Contract and Risk Management: Manage all aspects of contract administration, including scope and change control, subcontractor and supplier management, and risk management. Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and governance. Accountable for rigorous risk analysis in accordance with corporate standards and application of industry best practice including Montecarlo methodology and contingency draw-down curves.
• Safety and Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to safety standards and quality requirements. Develop and enforce safety programs, training, and corrective action plans to maintain high performance standards.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Apply key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor project health and performance. Establish rigorous reporting protocols to meet contract, corporate, and project-specific oversight requirements.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance:  Ensure all construction activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Conduct regular inspections to ensure work meets quality standards and project specifications. Implement corrective actions as needed to address deficiencies.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders. Ensure effective communication and coordination to keep all parties informed and aligned with project goals. Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, suppliers and other project stakeholders.
• Ethical and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all project activities comply with corporate standards of ethical conduct, cyber-security, import-export regulations, intellectual property protections, and security clearance protocols.
• Nuclear Safety: Accountable for all aspects of nuclear and industrial safety including adherence with corporate and customer safety programs, development and enforcement of necessary training and requirements, adherence to corrective action programs and enforcement of performance standards for all of the above.

These responsibilities ensure that the deputy project director maintains high standards of safety, quality, and efficiency throughout the process.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Project Experience: 10+ years of experience leading or supporting projects in construction, manufacturing, or engineering services with a focus on large-scale infrastructure projects. This period must include 12+ months of experience assigned to a project site location.  Experience setting up a site location is an asset.
• Nuclear Supply Chain: Understanding of nuclear supply chain and materials management principles.
• Team Building: Ability to build and inspire a team to work towards common goals.
• People Management: Experience managing direct reports within a project delivery functional support model.
• Leadership: Lead by example, setting high standards for Health & Safety and Nuclear Safety Culture.
• Quality Assurance: Appreciation of the importance of Quality Assurance Programs and their significance to the nuclear industry.
• Communication Skills: Excellent organizational, communication, and customer relationship skills. Demonstrated oral and written communication abilities.
• Technical Skills: Ability to read and understand construction drawings, blueprints, and specifications is considered an asset. Proficiency in construction management software (e.g., Primavera, MS Project, AutoCAD) and familiarity with BIM (Building Information Modeling) is preferred.
• Project Delivery: Understanding of project delivery methodology, including earned value, critical path scheduling, prime contract and subcontract management, procurement and supply chain methodology, and inspection and test plans.  Understanding of large EPC work including subcontracts, prime contract management.
• Safety Knowledge: Working knowledge of industrial safety and nuclear safety culture.
• Nuclear Experience: Experience in Nuclear Reactor new design and construction projects required.
• Educational Background: BSc in Civil Engineering or equivalent is an asset.
• Certifications: PMP certification, CCM (Certified Construction Manager), or equivalent certifications is preferred.

Necessary Competencies

• Demonstrates initiative, decisiveness, and perseverance.
• Plans and communicates effectively, with good instincts when to engage with stakeholders.
• Seeks and accepts responsibility and accountability.
• Possesses excellent judgment and can correctly apply skills and knowledge.
• Perform well under stress.
• Delegates effectively.
• Integrity and Trust, with a commitment to both safety and quality.
• Customer Focus.
• Team Player, Shares Knowledge.

Required Interfaces

• Construction Partner, subcontractor and client teams.
• Customers, suppliers, Candu Partners.
• Senior executives, department functional managers.
• Trades personnel.

Work Location(s)

• Primarily at the project site near the Cernavoda plant in Romania.
• Various supplier other work locations as required.