Specialist Works Director

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to lead the establishment, development, and growth of a new specialist ground engineering business (Lagan Ground Engineering), as part of the Lagan Specialist Group.

Our Values
Our values are important to how we run our business. We have been awarded Platinum Investors in People in recognition of our people management practices and investment in learning and development. We are therefore looking for candidates that can demonstrate behaviours in line with our core values and continue with our culture of putting people first:

• Trust
• Respect
• Caring
• Open & Honest
• Safety
• Fun

Our Vision
To be a world class family-owned specialist contracting business that will grow to be the most respected in the construction and services sectors.

Our Mission
To provide specialist contracting and services solutions in an environment where people feel safe, secure and valued.

Role Overview

The successful candidate will be responsible for defining strategic direction, developing innovative solutions with relevant business planning, building operational capability, securing a project pipeline, and delivering profitable growth in sectors such as Ground Investigation, site enabling works, foundations, ground improvement, other specialist geotechnical areas. The position requires a blend of entrepreneurship, technical expertise, commercial acumen, and strong leadership.

The successful candidate will benefit from the structures, supports, and governance that exist within the Lagan Specialist Group.

What you'll do
The following reflect the main tasks associated with your position and are not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive:

Strategic Leadership & Business Formation

• Develop and execute the business plan for Lagan Ground Engineering.
• Define service offerings -.
• Identify target markets, sectors, and key clients.
• Establish brand positioning and market entry strategy.
• Set short, medium, and long-term growth objectives.

Technical Leadership

• Leadership in the promotion of innovative geotechnical solutions, that will enable the development of a profitable and sustainable business model,
• Provide leadership on the correct technical solutions for investment and growth potential, ensuring compliance with all relevant engineering standards and regulations on these solutions.

Operational Setup & Delivery

• Establish operational systems, processes, and procedures for project delivery.
• Ensure efficient mobilisation of labour, plant, and supply chain.
• Oversee delivery of projects ensuring:
  • Safety
  • Quality
  • Programme adherence
  • Budget performance

Business Development & Growth

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and developers/contractors.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities and frameworks.
• Lead tendering, pricing, and contract negotiation activities.
• Develop a robust sales pipeline with clear revenue forecasting.
• Monitor market trends, competitors, and pricing strategies.

Team Building & Leadership

• Recruit, build, and lead a high-performing team (engineering, commercial, operations).
• Develop organisational structure aligned to growth plans.
• Foster a strong culture of safety, performance, and accountability.
• Mentor and develop future leaders within the business.
• Set clear KPIs and performance objectives.

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (HSEQ)

• Lead with a safety-first culture across all operations.
• Ensure full compliance with HSEQ legislation and company policies.
• Implement robust risk management processes.
• Drive continuous improvement in quality and environmental performance.

Governance & Risk Management

• Manage contractual and commercial risks.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance across all business activities.
• Provide regular reporting to Board.

What you'll bring
To succeed in this role, it is essential to have:

• Proven experience at senior level within ground engineering, geotechnical, or specialist contracting.
• Demonstrated success in business development and winning work.
• Strong commercial acumen and P&L management experience.
• Track record of building or scaling business units or divisions.
• Deep understanding of ground engineering techniques and project delivery.
• Leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams.

It would also be desirable to have:

• Experience setting up new business ventures or start-ups.
• Established industry network within contractors, developers, consultants, and clients.
• Knowledge of UK & Ireland infrastructure and construction markets.
• Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional qualification.

Personal Attributes
The following attributes are essential to the Specialist Works Director role;

• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong drive and initiative.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on approach.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Resilient, adaptable, and results oriented.
• High integrity and professional credibility.
• Ability to operate in line with Group Vision, Mission and Values

How we'll reward you
In return, we offer an attractive, competitive salary and a wide selection of lifestyle offers, development and learning programmes, services and support designed to help you manage and balance your work/life priorities.

We have a private, company gym at our Head Office in Belfast, which is free for all employees to use, and includes access to Personal Trainers for advice, group sessions and one-to-ones. We offer a Gym Subsidy scheme for those who live/work outside Northern Ireland.

Our Core Benefits potentially available to this role include:

• Generous holiday allowance increasing in each of your first 5 years service
• Ability to purchase additional holidays
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme (up to 20%)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Health Cash Plan discounts for health services not covered by PMI, including PMI Excess
• Occupational Sick Pay
• Paid Membership fees of a relevant Institution or Professional Body
• Car Allowance & Fuel Card
• Ongoing Health and Wellbeing activities that include free annual health checks for all employees
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme contributions are taken before tax
• Company EV Leasing Scheme
• Life Assurance Plan four times annual salary
• Cycle to Work Scheme spread the cost and save on a new bike and cycling equipment
• Annual Volunteer Day to support your choice of volunteering activity

Your application
At Lagan Specialist Group, we want everyone to feel welcome. Thats why we want you to know that we'll work with you to make the application process as smooth as possible. So please just let us know if you need any adjustments or support we'll do whatever we can to help.

To apply for this role, please click Apply Now to submit a copy of your CV, or email

We wish you every success in your application.

LAGAN SPECIALIST GROUP ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITES EMPLOYER - We will not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of Sex, Pregnancy or maternity, Gender reassignment, Marital or Civil Partnership status, Religious or other similar philosophical belief, Political Opinion, Racial group, Sexual orientation, Disability or Age.

WHJS1_NI