Construction Director / Head of Construction (Depending on Experience)
| Company: | Iris Recruitment |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Competitive Salary DOE + Company Car / Car Allowance + Excellent Benefits |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | EX5 1FY |
| Working pattern: | On-site |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 9 Nov 2026 |
| Closing date: | 27 Nov 2026 |
Summary
Full Time, Permanent
Lovell is looking for an experienced Construction Director or Head of Construction to lead the delivery of residential developments across the South West.
Based from our Exeter office, you will oversee a secured pipeline of more than 2,000 homes, including low-rise housing and apartment schemes of up to five storeys, delivered through open-market housebuilding and partnerships with housing associations, local authorities and joint venture partners.
The role
Reporting to the Regional Managing Director, you will take overall responsibility for construction activity and pre-start coordination across the region, providing strategic and operational leadership across multiple developments to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to Lovell’s standards of quality and customer satisfaction.
As a senior regional leader, you will maintain a visible presence across our sites, supporting and challenging project teams while helping to shape regional construction strategy and contributing to Board and Senior Leadership activity.
You will lead construction input during pre-construction and early planning, including buildability, risk, logistics, programming and construction methodology. Working closely with land, design and commercial teams, you will also contribute to appraisals, tenders, bids and partnership proposals.
Throughout delivery, you will oversee multiple live schemes from site start through to handover, maintaining programme, budget and quality performance while resolving operational challenges and maximising value.
Working alongside the Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, you will promote a zero-harm culture and ensure high standards of health, safety and quality, including compliance with CDM, Building Regulations, NHBC, LABC, BCO and relevant legislation.
About you
You will have significant leadership experience within residential construction, ideally at Construction Director, Head of Construction or a similarly senior level, with a strong background in both housebuilding and contracting within a partnerships environment.
You will have experience managing multiple live sites and large operational teams, including the delivery of low-rise housing and apartment schemes up to five storeys. Strong knowledge of pre-construction, construction programming, build sequencing, commercial control, NHBC requirements, Building Regulations and health and safety legislation is essential.
You will also bring a strong focus on customer satisfaction, with a track record of achieving or promoting five-star performance through your teams. Professional membership of CIOB, RICS or equivalent and experience of Asta Powerproject would be advantageous but are not essential.
Most importantly, you will be a hands-on, commercially astute leader who can engage and influence at all levels, balancing construction, housebuilding and partnership priorities while maintaining a clear focus on quality, customers and communities.
If you are an experienced construction leader looking for an influential regional role where you can make a visible impact, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Benefits
Discretionary bonus, based on business performance.
Travel allowance
26 days annual leave
Life Assurance
Pension Scheme, 5% matched, defined contribution scheme
Private Medical Insurance
Sharesave Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Salary Sacrifice opportunities exist with our EV scheme, Cycle to Work and Additional Holiday Purchase
Group Discount Scheme
24 Hour Digital GP
As an Investors in People Gold award employer, Lovell is the UK’s leading provider of mixed tenure affordable homes and has a reputation for innovation and excellence in the delivery of high-quality housing development and regeneration projects.
We are committed to enhancing the communities in which we work, building quality homes for real people and looking after our own people; developing talent is key to achieving this. We understand that the success of our organisation comes from the strengths, skills and personalities of our people.
Lovell is an equal opportunities employer who encourage and value diversity and inclusion within our teams.
Essential requirements
You will have significant leadership experience within residential construction, ideally at Construction Director, Head of Construction or a similarly senior level, with a strong background in both housebuilding and contracting within a partnerships environment. You will have experience managing multiple live sites and large operational teams, including the delivery of low-rise housing and apartment schemes up to five storeys. Strong knowledge of pre-construction, construction programming, build sequencing, commercial control, NHBC requirements, Building Regulations and health and safety legislation is essential. You will also bring a strong focus on customer satisfaction, with a track record of achieving or promoting five-star performance through your teams. Professional membership of CIOB, RICS or equivalent and experience of Asta Powerproject would be advantageous but are not essential. Most importantly, you will be a hands-on, commercially astute leader who can engage and influence at all levels, balancing construction, housebuilding and partnership priorities while maintaining a clear focus on quality, customers and communities.