General Manager

Company: Progressive
Apply for the General Manager
Location: Reading
Job Description:

General Manager – Utilities / Construction

Location: Reading (100% Office-Based)

Type: Permanent or Contract Opportunity

Salary: Highly Competitive Salary / Day Rate (DOE, Outside IR35 for contract)

The Opportunity

We’re working with a growing utilities contractor delivering projects under SSEN Lot 1, covering electricity connections up to 11kV underground and 33kV overhead line (OHL).

They are seeking a General Manager to take full ownership of their office-based operations in Reading. This is a key leadership role with responsibility for driving performance across multiple teams and ensuring efficient project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the planning, RFQ (pricing), and streetworks departments
  • Act as the Office Lead, overseeing administration, training, and operational processes
  • Provide strong leadership to department heads (direct reports)
  • Drive performance, accountability, and continuous improvement across teams
  • Ensure effective coordination across all business functions supporting project delivery
  • Make confident, strategic decisions to support business growth and operational efficiency

About You

  • Proven experience in a similar senior leadership / General Manager role
  • Strong background within construction, utilities, or infrastructure sectors (electricity connections experience highly desirable)
  • Demonstrable experience managing multiple teams/functions simultaneously
  • Decisive, confident leader able to take ownership and drive outcomes
  • Excellent organisational, operational, and people management skills

What’s on Offer

  • Flexible permanent or contract engagement
  • Outside IR35 status for contract roles
  • Competitive salary/day rate depending on experienceOpportunity to play a pivotal leadership role within a growing business
  • Exposure to major utility frameworks and projects

If you’re a strong operational leader with utilities or construction experience and are looking for a role where you can truly make an impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Desired Skills and Experience

Skills (LinkedIn Tags)

  • General Management
  • Operations Management
  • Utilities Management
  • Construction Management
  • Infrastructure Delivery
  • Power Distribution
  • Overhead Lines (OHL)
  • Underground Cabling
  • Streetworks (NRSWA)
  • Planning Management
  • RFQ / Estimating / Pricing
  • Commercial Awareness
  • Team Leadership
  • People Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Performance Management
  • Operational Leadership
  • Process Improvement
  • Strategic Planning
  • Decision Making

Experience Keywords

  • Managed multi-functional teams (planning, streetworks, commercial)
  • Delivered utility projects (11kV / 33kV)
  • Led office operations and administration
  • Oversaw project planning and coordination
  • Responsible for pricing / tendering (RFQs)
  • Managed department leads / direct reports
  • Improved operational efficiency and workflows
  • Worked within utilities or construction environments
  • Delivered projects within regulated frameworks (e.g. SSEN)
  • Office-based leadership and team development

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Posted: June 6th, 2026