Construction recruitment
Construction recruitment in Cardiff
YP Recruitment places project managers, site managers, quantity surveyors, and design managers in Cardiff for contractors delivering the Central Square office and media quarter, Cardiff Bay waterfront development, the University Hospital of Wales capital programme, student accommodation development from Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University, and the residential construction pipeline driven by Cardiff's sustained population growth. Cardiff is one of the UK's most active development markets outside London and the South East, with billions in public and private sector construction investment supporting a well-developed construction employment market. Salaries run from £28,000 for site managers to £58,000 for senior project directors.
The construction market in Cardiff
Central Square is Cardiff's most significant commercial development programme, creating a new professional and media quarter adjacent to Cardiff Central station. The scheme has attracted BBC Wales, Welsh Government offices, and major professional services firms as anchor tenants, and the construction programme has required project managers and site managers with high-specification commercial office experience. The development has created a template for further commercial development in Cardiff city centre, with Rightacres Property and other developers active in the Callaghan Square and Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone area. These are complex urban schemes with tight logistics and demanding programme requirements.
Cardiff Bay waterfront regeneration continues to evolve, with residential and commercial development at International Sports Village, Granger Wharf, and the remaining undeveloped waterfront plots keeping civil and mixed-use construction active. Student accommodation development is one of Cardiff's most consistent construction sectors, with Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and private PBSA operators consistently commissioning new schemes to address the student housing demand generated by a combined student population of over 60,000. Site managers and project managers with PBSA experience are consistently sought by the specialist student accommodation contractors active in the Cardiff market.
The Welsh Government's public sector capital programme, including the Welsh Health Facilities Programme investing in new and upgraded NHS facilities, school building investment through the 21st Century Schools programme, and Cardiff Council's capital programme, creates consistent public sector construction management demand. University Hospital of Wales capital works, including clinical upgrades and the ongoing development of the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board estate, require project managers with NHS HTM compliance and live clinical environment experience. Kier, Bouygues UK, and local contractors including Dawnus and Jehu are among the framework contractors active on Welsh public sector programmes.
Construction salary benchmarks in Cardiff
Site managers in Cardiff earn £28,000 to £42,000. Quantity surveyors at mid-level earn £32,000 to £46,000. Contracts managers earn £42,000 to £54,000. Senior project managers earn £48,000 to £58,000. Cardiff construction salaries broadly track the national average, running approximately equal to Midlands rates and representing good value compared to South East equivalents, particularly given Cardiff's lower cost of living.
Construction roles we fill in Cardiff
Site Manager
PBSA, commercial, or public sector. Cardiff contractor. £28,000-£42,000.
Project Manager
Central Square, NHS, or residential. Cardiff. £42,000-£54,000.
Quantity Surveyor
Main contractor. Cardiff commercial or public sector. £32,000-£46,000.
Design Manager
D&B. Commercial or student accommodation. Cardiff. £42,000-£54,000.
Contracts Manager
Multi-site residential or PBSA. South Wales. £44,000-£56,000.
Project Director
Major NHS or commercial. Cardiff. £50,000-£58,000+.
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