What are the responsibilities and job description for the SEM (Sequential Excavation Method) Construction Manager position at Maynard Civil Engineering Recruitment?
The SEM Construction Manager will lead and coordinate the delivery of tunnel excavation and initial support works using the Sequential Excavation Method, ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and compliance with design requirements. The role requires strong leadership, technical expertise in soft-ground/rock tunnelling, and the ability to manage complex interfaces, subcontractors, and monitoring/verification activities.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- SEM Excavation & Support
- Plan, manage, and supervise all daily SEM tunnelling activities including top heading, bench, invert, and drift excavations.
- Ensure correct implementation of designed excavation sequences, support classes, and face-stabilization methods.
- Oversee installation of initial support systems (shotcrete, lattice girders, bolts, spiles, canopy tubes, waterproofing transitions, etc.).
- Control advance rates and ensure compliance with ground-support design criteria.
- Monitoring & Observational Management
- Implement the project’s geotechnical and structural monitoring regime.
- Review convergence data, instrumentation results, and face mapping to adjust excavation/support as required.
- Engage with geotechnical engineers to optimize excavation sequences and manage ground behaviour.
- Safety Leadership
- Ensure full compliance with H&S legislation, project safety plans, and underground working regulations.
- Lead daily tunnel briefings, risk assessments, and dynamic hazard identification.
- Enforce safe working methods for drilling, shotcreting, mucking out, ventilation, and confined-space operations.
- Quality Assurance
- Verify that excavation, ground treatment, support installation, and records meet design drawings, specifications, and QA procedures.
- Oversee face logs, monitoring logs, ITPs, and as-built documentation.
- Coordinate with designers, inspectors, and the Owner’s representative during holds/witness points.
- Resource & Contractor Management
- Manage SEM crews, subcontractors, plant, and specialist equipment.
- Coordinate shift rotations and ensure adequate resources for continuous tunnelling operations.
- Liaise closely with procurement for materials (shotcrete, rebar, lattice arches, consumables).
- Interface & Coordination
- Work closely with the TBM, civils, M&E, waterproofing, and structural fit-out teams to align sequencing and access.
- Coordinate with environmental, surveying, and temporary works teams.
- Attend and lead progress meetings and prepare daily/weekly reports.
- Cost & Schedule Control
- Monitor productivity and equipment utilisation to achieve planned outputs.
- Assist in developing look-ahead schedules and construction forecasts.
- Identify risks, constraints, and opportunities to maintain programme and budget.