Quality Assurance Manager

We are currently recruiting for an experienced QA Manager to join a major infrastructure and engineering programme in Birmingham.
This is a key leadership position within the project delivery team, responsible for overseeing the implementation, governance and continuous improvement of the project's Quality Management System (QMS).
You will play a central role in ensuring that quality requirements are embedded throughout construction and engineering activities, with works delivered in line with contractual obligations, project specifications, approved designs, relevant standards and established quality procedures.
The successful candidate will provide strong leadership across quality assurance activities, ensuring that inspection, testing and quality records are produced progressively and accurately throughout the works. You will also be responsible for identifying and resolving assurance gaps, quality issues and outstanding documentation ahead of completion and handover.
Working closely with construction, engineering, testing and commissioning, completions and supply chain teams, you will help ensure that completed works can be fully demonstrated as compliant and ready for handover.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management

• Lead the implementation, monitoring and continual improvement of the project Quality Management System and associated quality plans.
• Ensure quality arrangements remain aligned with contractual requirements, project specifications, approved designs and applicable standards.
• Provide governance and oversight of quality processes across multiple work packages and disciplines.
• Ensure changes to project requirements, procedures or delivery arrangements are appropriately incorporated into quality controls.
• Promote a strong culture of quality, compliance, self-assurance and right-first-time delivery.
• Support construction and engineering teams in understanding and meeting their quality responsibilities.

Materials & Equipment Control

• Oversee established processes for the acceptance and control of materials and equipment.
• Ensure materials are appropriately approved and compliant before being incorporated into permanent works.
• Monitor certification, traceability and supporting quality documentation.
• Ensure material records are maintained accurately and progressively to support completion and handover.

Inspection & Test Plans

• Provide governance and oversight of Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
• Ensure ITPs are consistently implemented across relevant work packages.
• Verify that inspection and testing requirements are aligned with construction activities and project assurance requirements.
• Monitor compliance with inspection and testing arrangements and address any gaps identified.

Quality Records & Assurance Documentation

• Oversee the management of project quality records and associated procedures.
• Ensure quality and assurance documentation is complete, accurate, traceable and auditable.
• Support the progressive compilation of quality records required for project completion and handover.
• Maintain alignment between ITPs, inspection and test records and wider quality documentation.
• Identify missing or incomplete records and drive timely close-out.

Inspection, Surveillance & Auditing

• Plan and coordinate quality surveillance activities across the project.
• Manage inspection and surveillance processes and ensure appropriate records are maintained.
• Undertake and coordinate audits, inspections and quality reviews.
• Monitor quality performance across active construction areas and work fronts.
• Identify trends, recurring issues and areas requiring additional intervention.

Snagging & Close-Out

• Oversee the management of snagging, defects and outstanding works.
• Ensure outstanding items are accurately recorded, tracked and closed within agreed timescales.
• Work closely with delivery teams to ensure quality issues do not adversely affect project completion.
• Support readiness for testing, commissioning, completion and handover.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop effective working relationships with the client, project partners, construction teams, engineers and supply chain.
• Act as a key point of contact for quality-related matters.
• Participate in project reviews, audits, assurance meetings and relevant governance forums.
• Communicate quality requirements, performance, risks and areas for improvement clearly to project stakeholders.

Quality Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, direction and support to Quality and Field Assurance personnel.
• Allocate quality resources according to construction priorities, programme requirements and project risk.
• Ensure responsibilities for inspections, surveillance, audits, documentation and close-out are clearly established.
• Monitor team performance and provide coaching and development where required.
• Promote consistency in the application of quality standards across disciplines and work areas.
• Ensure appropriate quality coverage is maintained across active construction activities.

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Monitor quality performance, trends and emerging risks.
• Develop and implement initiatives to improve quality performance and project outcomes.
• Produce regular reports covering quality metrics, KPIs, trends and key issues.
• Support lessons learned, knowledge sharing and the adoption of best practice.
• Identify opportunities to improve assurance processes and drive more efficient ways of working.

About You

We are looking for an experienced quality professional with a strong background in construction, engineering or major infrastructure projects.
You will have proven experience managing QA/QC activities, implementing quality processes and leading teams within a complex project environment. A strong understanding of inspection and test processes, quality documentation, auditing and non-conformance management is essential.
You should be confident working with multiple stakeholders and able to influence delivery teams to maintain high standards of quality throughout the project lifecycle.

Essential Qualifications & Knowledge

• Relevant electrical, mechanical, communications, engineering or construction qualification.
• HND, NVQ, CQI qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems and QA/QC processes.
• Experience implementing project or contract quality plans and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of ITPs, inspections, testing, non-conformance and defect management.
• Experience managing quality documentation and records.
• Good understanding of construction and building services/MEICA systems.

Desirable Qualifications & Knowledge

• Professional quality management certification, such as ISO 9001 or Six Sigma.
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution or industry body.
• Experience working on major infrastructure or complex engineering programmes.
• Familiarity with digital quality management systems such as Asite or equivalent platforms.
• Experience working