Inspections Manager

About the role

Inspections Manager –  Connect Plus Services (CPS)

Location: Dartford, Leatherhead or South Mimms

We have an exciting opportunity for an Inspections Manager to join our Connect Plus Services (CPS) team, supporting the M25 London Orbital Motorway project.

CPS is a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Atkins and Egis, responsible for operating and maintaining the M25, Europe’s busiest motorway. Delivering over £100 million of annual investment alongside planned and reactive maintenance, this is a complex and high-profile network requiring robust and efficient planning.

If you are building a career in highways, this role offers exposure to one of the UK’s most challenging and dynamic infrastructure environments.

What you’ll be doing

The Inspections Manager delivers project objectives across six key performance areas: Health and Safety, Quality, Cost, Environment, Delivery and People.

We are looking for a dynamic and self-motivated individual with a strong asset management and inspections background to join this fast-paced team and deliver the annual M25 inspections programme. The portfolio includes structures, mechanical and electrical assets, linear assets, drainage and safety inspections.

This role also involves the direct line management of Project Managers, Logistics Managers and Senior Inspectors. Responsibilities include ensuring the successful delivery of the programme on time and within budget, while maintaining awareness of relevant inspection guidelines, standards and contractual completion dates.

The role includes management of the inspections budget, including the preparation of cost forecasts and monthly reconciliation of completed works against incurred costs. You will also lead procurement exercises for tendered work packages and demonstrate a sound working knowledge of commercial contract administration.

Safety underpins everything we do, and there is an expectation that the Inspections Manager will undertake one to two safety engagement visits per month and raise appropriate near-miss or good practice reports.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the Asset Team and key internal and external stakeholders to ensure a shared understanding of inspection delivery objectives, review performance and agree solutions to issues.
• Maintain compliance with the DBFO contract by clarifying team roles and responsibilities, resolving risks and issues in a timely manner, producing accurate reports, and maintaining specified records, including change management documentation.
• Identify and evaluate emerging risks, issues, dependencies and constraints associated with inspection activities, escalating where appropriate and implementing agreed solutions.
• Lead and oversee inspections throughout the year, keeping key stakeholders informed of risks, issues and proposed solutions.
• Manage income and cost profiles, including oversight and challenge of budgets and forecasts.
• Maintain effective client relationships and provide regular updates on programme performance.
• Chair and drive regular planning and progress review meetings.
• Manage project change control processes and review procedures to ensure continuous improvement.
• Allocate tasks to Inspectors based on knowledge, experience, competence and workload.
• Work closely with the Logistics Team to ensure permits, certificates and site reporting requirements are managed effectively and align with project needs.
• Act as Project Manager under NEC contract arrangements where required.

Working arrangements:

• Ability and willingness to travel to offices and depots across the network as required.
• Periodic requirement to undertake site visits, including night shifts.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Attendance at the office for approximately 60% of the working week.

Who we’re looking for

Qualifications and skills:

• Experience in the delivery of highways inspections, including structural, mechanical and electrical, linear, drainage and safety inspections.
• Strong project management skills, ideally supported by a recognised qualification such as PRINCE2, APM PMQ or equivalent.
• HNC/HND (or equivalent) in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering or another construction-related discipline is desirable.
• Understanding of environmental requirements associated with inspection activities and enabling works.
• Experience of coordinating interfaces with external resources and stakeholders.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements relating to highway inspection works.
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations and other health and safety legislation.
• Competent in discharging duties under CDM.
• Valid CSCS card.
• Proven team leadership and management experience, driving performance and productivity.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong customer focus with a service delivery mindset.
• Commercial awareness and experience of budget management and cost control.
• Understanding of Lean principles.

Personal attributes:

• Proactive problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Self-aware and adaptable, with the ability to respond to varying project requirements.
• Resilient and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Team-building and people management skills.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and self-manage effectively.
• Ability to build relationships and engender trust with colleagues, clients and stakeholders.

 

Behavioural Competencies 

Inspiring: Champions curiosity and continuous improvement, role modelling change and managing risks to achieve project outcomes.  

Energising:  Role models positive and energised project focussed attitudes towards   and continuous improvement. 

Challenging: seeks and advocates improvements to add value and drive continuous performance.  

Challengeable: Encourage a culture of skilled challenging and seek to understand and explore challenge to enable improvement. 

Influencing: Builds commitment and consensus, and role models CPS leadership behaviours to deliver our goals. 

 

Why Work for Us?

At Connect Plus Services (CPS), you’ll be part of a world-class team maintaining and operating the M25, Europe’s busiest motorway. As a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Atkins, and Egis, we play a vital role in keeping millions of journeys moving safely and efficiently.

A Career Like No Other

Working on the M25 offers unrivalled experience, challenges, and opportunities that no other highways project can provide. You’ll be exposed to cutting-edge technology, large-scale infrastructure, and complex engineering solutions, making every day dynamic and rewarding.

Long-Term Stability & Growth

With 15+ years remaining on this project, we offer career stability, professional development, and progression opportunities. Whether you’re looking to build new skills or take the next step in your career, we invest in your growth.

A Supportive & Inclusive Team

At CPS, your contributions matter. We foster a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment where safety, innovation, and teamwork drive everything we do.

 

CPS recognises the impact of our work on the environment and the communities surrounding the M25 network. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint while delivering wider sustainability outcomes, including environmental protection, social value, and responsible resource use. Through sustainable practices, innovation, and long‑term stewardship, we aim to support community wellbeing and ensure responsible, future‑focused delivery.

 

About us

Connect Plus Services (CPS) is a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Atkins and Egis Road Operation UK. With around 800 colleagues, we operate and maintain the 117‑mile M25 network on behalf of Connect Plus and National Highways, managing over 100,000 assets to keep Europe’s busiest orbital motorway moving 24/7.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As a Disability Confident Employer and Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, we actively support equality, inclusion and social value, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

 

Note to all internal CPS employees:

If you are interested in applying, please submit your application through your parent company’s careers portal by entering the job title in the search bar. If your employing company is not advertising this role, please submit your CV and the role title to HR@connectplusm25.co.uk