Senior Project Manager

Location/s: Cambridge, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth; UK
Relocation supported: Not supported, but internal applications are welcome
Recruiter contact: Aoife Cullen
Hiring manager contact: Ben Clive

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

Mott MacDonald’s Advisory and Programme Delivery (APD) unit delivers both project, programme & commercial management (PPCM) services and advisory solutions across the built environment, defence, energy, water, environmental, transportation, health and care sectors.

We deliver tailored solutions that directly address our clients’ key challenges, combining our world-leading project expertise with unrivalled programme delivery capabilities and advisory services.

APD delivers services to projects ranging in scale and complexity up to £20bn, through the technical disciplines of programme management, project management, project controls, scheduling, cost management, estimating, infrastructure finance, management consulting, digital consulting and education, health and care management.

Defence & Energy 
With extensive experience in the global defence sector, Mott MacDonald’s advisory and programme delivery teams support a wide range of clients including the UK Ministry of Defence, NATO, and international partners. Our work spans complex infrastructure upgrades, strategic asset management, and carbon reduction initiatives across land, air, maritime, and nuclear domains. Recent projects include the modernisation of submarine facilities at Devonport and Clyde, infrastructure delivery for the US Visiting Forces (USVF) at RAF Lakenheath, and support for the AUKUS submarine partnership, as well as defence infrastructure across the UK. 

In the energy sector, our expertise covers nuclear, renewables, hydro, thermal, and electricity and gas. We provide services to a global customer base, supporting the delivery of major capital projects and the transition to low-carbon generation. Our teams are helping shape the future of energy through innovative solutions that promote sustainability, resilience, and energy security. 

Overview of the role

Due to continued growth across our Defence Infrastructure portfolio, we have exciting opportunities for experienced project management professionals to join our expanding team in the UK. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in delivering some of the UK's most complex and strategically significant defence infrastructure programmes.

Working within secure and highly regulated environments, you will support the delivery of infrastructure projects across the Defence Estate, including new build, refurbishment, asset enhancement and operational infrastructure programmes. These projects will range from concept and business case development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.

We are seeking a Senior Project Manager who is passionate about delivering complex infrastructure projects, leading multidisciplinary design and delivery teams, and working collaboratively with clients, stakeholders and supply chain partners. You will be responsible for ensuring projects are delivered safely, securely, on schedule, within budget and to the required quality standards.

The role provides opportunities to work across a broad range of defence infrastructure programmes, leading project teams through all phases of the project lifecycle, from strategic planning and design development through construction delivery, commissioning and operational handover.

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating within client organisations, often as an integrated member of client-side programme and project teams. They will be capable of building trusted relationships, providing assurance and leadership, and representing both the client's interests and project objectives within complex stakeholder environments.

You will have the opportunity to work on some of the UK's largest and most complex Defence Infrastructure programmes, supporting clients in delivering critical estate, operational and mission-enabling facilities.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across project management, engineering, architecture, design management, commercial management and construction disciplines to deliver sustainable, secure and resilient infrastructure solutions.

The role offers:

• Exposure to nationally significant Defence Infrastructure programmes
• Involvement across the full project lifecycle from feasibility through construction, commissioning and handover
• Opportunities to lead multidisciplinary design and construction teams within secure environments
• Career development through long-term frameworks and strategic programmes
• A collaborative environment focused on technical excellence, innovation, sustainability and social value

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Lead the safe, secure and successful delivery of defence infrastructure and construction projects in accordance with agreed time, cost, quality and performance objectives
• Manage projects throughout the complete lifecycle, including feasibility, business case development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover
• Lead and oversee multidisciplinary design teams throughout all project stages, ensuring designs are developed, coordinated, reviewed and delivered in accordance with client requirements, programme constraints and statutory obligations
• Act as the Project Manager for integrated design delivery teams, managing design programme performance, resource requirements, risks, interfaces and stakeholder engagement
• Ensure effective design management processes are implemented, monitored and controlled throughout project delivery
• Manage and challenge consultant teams to ensure designs are delivered to the required quality standards, approved budgets and programme milestones
• Lead the delivery of projects through the construction phase, ensuring works are executed safely, in accordance with approved designs, programme, budget and quality requirements
• Oversee contractor performance and construction delivery activities, ensuring effective management of programme, risk, quality, cost and change throughout project execution
• Manage the transition from design into construction, ensuring design intent is maintained, technical queries are resolved and approvals are secured to support successful delivery
• Monitor construction progress, commissioning and handover activities, ensuring project objectives and operational requirements are achieved
• Undertake site-based leadership activities, including progress reviews, contractor meetings, stakeholder engagement and site inspections as required
• Develop, maintain and monitor integrated project programmes, schedules, dependencies and resource plans
• Manage and coordinate project controls, including cost management, change control, risk management and progress reporting
• Identify, assess and manage project risks, opportunities and security-related constraints
• Ensure robust governance, assurance and reporting processes are established and maintained
• Provide leadership and direction across commercial, procurement and project control functions
• Manage NEC contracts (or similar forms of contract) and ensure successful contract administration, change management and commercial outcomes
• Monitor consultant and contractor performance and ensure delivery in accordance with contractual obligations and programme requirements
• Act as the key point of contact for clients, senior stakeholders, delivery partners and supply chain organisations
• Work within client environments as an integrated member of programme and project teams, providing leadership, assurance and project management expertise to support successful project outcomes
• Lead stakeholder engagement activities within complex and security-sensitive environments
• Support compliance with CDM Regulations, health, safety and environmental requirements, ensuring safe delivery throughout design and construction phases
• Promote a positive safety culture and ensure compliance with industry best practice and client requirements
• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to project teams and junior project managers
• Support business development activities, framework growth and the pursuit of new opportunities within the defence sector

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Proven experience delivering major infrastructure, capital investment or construction projects within defence, government, nuclear, aviation, rail or other highly regulated sectors
• Extensive experience managing and overseeing multidisciplinary design teams across the full project lifecycle, from concept and feasibility through detailed design, construction delivery and project close-out
• Demonstrable experience acting as Project Manager for consultant design teams, managing design programmes, technical interfaces, deliverables, milestones and stakeholder approvals
• Significant project management experience across the full project lifecycle, including business case development, design management, procurement, construction delivery, commissioning and handover of major infrastructure projects
• Proven experience managing projects through construction, commissioning and handover phases within infrastructure, engineering or capital delivery programmes
• Demonstrable experience overseeing contractor performance, construction delivery, programme management and project controls during live construction activities
• Experience managing the interfaces between design teams, contractors, client stakeholders and end users throughout the construction and delivery phases of projects
• Strong understanding of design management principles and the integration of design, commercial, programme and construction activities
• Strong understanding of construction delivery methodologies, contractor management, site-based governance, commissioning and project handover processes
• Strong understanding of project controls, planning, scheduling, risk management and change control processes
• Experience working within client organisations and/or embedded project delivery teams, providing project management leadership across complex infrastructure and construction programmes
• Comfortable operating within client environments, establishing credibility quickly and building trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels of an organisation
• Demonstrable ability to act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing objective project management expertise, assurance and leadership throughout the project lifecycle
• Experience administering and managing NEC3/NEC4 contracts within construction and infrastructure environments
• Sound commercial awareness and understanding of programme delivery within complex stakeholder environments
• Experience managing senior client and stakeholder relationships
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations, construction safety requirements and industry best practice
• Experience working within secure or highly regulated environments
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop project teams
• Excellent communication, report writing and presentation skills
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite and project management software

Qualifications:

• Degree qualified in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline
• Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) through the Association for Project Management (APM), or equivalent professional chartership
• Full membership of the APM or other relevant professional institution
• NEC3 or NEC4 Project Manager Accreditation or equivalent contract management qualification

Security requirements:

• Ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Check (SC) Clearance

Personal attributes:

• Strong leadership and decision-making capability
• Collaborative and client-focused approach
• Comfortable working within client organisations and adapting to different stakeholder environments and organisational cultures
• Ability to establish credibility quickly and develop trusted working relationships across client, consultant and contractor teams
• Ability to work autonomously whilst contributing effectively within larger programme teams
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to perform in complex and evolving environments
• Committed to safety, quality and continuous improvement
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and accountability in all aspects of project delivery

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.