Senior Project Manager

I'm looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of high-value capital projects within the UK water industry. The role will focus on the end-to-end management of complex infrastructure schemes across clean water and wastewater assets, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory and framework requirements.

The successful candidate must have demonstrable experience operating within UK water frameworks including AMP5, AMP6, AMP7, and AMP8, and be highly proficient in administering and managing contracts under NEC3, NEC4, and JCT forms.

Key Responsibilities Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the delivery of high-value capital projects (£10m-£100m+) within regulated water utility environments.

• Manage projects through full life-cycle: feasibility, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.

• Ensure alignment with AMP regulatory cycles and client strategic objectives.

• Develop and manage detailed project execution plans.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Administer and manage contracts under NEC3, NEC4, and JCT conditions.

• Oversee compensation events, early warning notices, change control, and risk reduction meetings.

• Drive commercial performance, cost forecasting, and financial reporting.

• Manage subcontractor and supply chain performance.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as the primary interface with water utility clients, regulators, and internal stakeholders.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with framework partners.

• Lead governance reporting in line with AMP framework requirements.

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and health & safety legislation.

• Proactively identify, manage, and mitigate project risks.

• Maintain strict adherence to quality, environmental, and regulatory standards.

Team & Programme Leadership

• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams including engineering, commercial, planning, and site teams.

• Mentor and support junior project managers and engineers.

• Contribute to programme-level coordination across AMP portfolios.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience delivering capital projects within the UK water industry.

• Direct experience working within AMP5, AMP6, AMP7, and/or AMP8 frameworks.

• Strong working knowledge of NEC3, NEC4, and JCT contract forms.

• Proven track record of delivering high-value infrastructure projects successfully.

• Strong commercial acumen and financial management capability.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.

• Chartered status (e.g., CEng, MAPM, MRICS) or working toward.

• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or equivalent.

• PRINCE2 Practitioner (desirable but not essential).

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and leadership

• Commercial awareness

• Contractual expertise

• Risk management

• Negotiation and influencing skills

• Programme and portfolio awareness

• Regulatory knowledge within the water sector

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead major infrastructure projects within AMP8 and future regulatory cycles.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Professional development and chartership support.

• Long-term framework stability within the UK water sector.

The role is based in Reading and offers hybrid working of 2-3x days per week onsite.

The salary banding is £60,000 to £85,000 DOE and offers a great benefits package too.