At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-stakes civil infrastructure projects in rail or aviation, managing teams and ensuring compliance.
- Company: Join a leading infrastructure delivery organisation making a significant impact in civil construction.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of major projects, driving innovation and safety in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in civil infrastructure, strong leadership skills, and relevant project management certifications required.
- Other info: This is a contract role based in Hounslow, UK, with potential for career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Project Manager – Rail/Aviation
Location: Hounslow, UK
Employment Type: Contract (INSIDE IR35)
Sector: Rail or Aviation – Civil Construction / Infrastructure Projects
A leading infrastructure delivery organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to oversee complex, high-stakes civil infrastructure works in the rail or aviation sectors. Based in Hounslow, the successful candidate will lead multiple Project Managers and cross-disciplinary teams through the full project lifecycle, using structured delivery methodologies including RIBA Stages, NEC3/4, and CDM 2015. Strong leadership, contract expertise, and senior stakeholder management are essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the end-to-end delivery of major civil infrastructure projects through all RIBA Work Stages (0–7), ensuring alignment with strategic, regulatory and commercial objectives. Manage and mentor a team of Project Managers, Engineers, and commercial staff across multiple workstreams.
- Coordinate design, construction and commissioning activities, ensuring clear progress through Stage Gate reviews, with associated deliverables and approvals.
- Ensure full CDM 2015 compliance across all project stages, with emphasis on design risk management and health & safety leadership.
- Administer NEC3/NEC4 contracts, including early warnings, compensation events, programme updates, and contractual correspondence.
- Lead stakeholder engagement with clients, regulators, third parties, and senior leadership—representing the project at governance boards and gateway reviews.
- Drive project planning, scheduling, cost forecasting, risk management, change control, and performance reporting.
- Oversee the preparation and submission of key deliverables at each RIBA stage, including Feasibility, Concept, Developed and Technical Designs, and handover documentation.
- Manage interfaces between internal delivery teams, consultants, and supply chain partners to ensure programme integration and consistent quality.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, assurance and proactive problem-solving within the project teams.
Key Requirements
- Extensive experience delivering high-value, high-risk civil infrastructure projects within rail or aviation sectors.
- Proven track record leading projects through full RIBA stages, from Strategic Definition to In Use.
- Demonstrable experience managing multiple Project Managers and overseeing multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong working knowledge of CDM 2015, including Principal Designer and Principal Contractor obligations.
- Experience in telecommunications
- Expertise in NEC3/NEC4 contract administration and project governance.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, with strong leadership in stage gate and assurance processes.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills with experience engaging executive and regulatory stakeholders.
- Commercially astute with experience managing budgets, change, risk and programme performance on complex projects.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
- Chartered status (e.g., CEng, MAPM, MCIOB)
- Formal project management certification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, PMP).
- Experience working on regulated infrastructure projects (e.g., Network Rail, HS2, DfT).
- CITB/CMITB recognised qualifications or structured training.
- Rail or aviation-specific certifications (PTS, Airside Pass, SMSTS) desirable.
Senior Project Manager employer: ECS Resource Group
Contact Detail:
ECS Resource Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the rail and aviation sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and employers. This can help you gain insights into the company culture and current projects, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in civil infrastructure projects, particularly within rail and aviation. Being knowledgeable about current issues will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview scenarios by practising your responses to questions related to project management methodologies like RIBA and NEC contracts. Use real-life examples from your experience to showcase your leadership skills and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s recent projects and achievements in the rail or aviation sectors. Tailoring your discussions around their work can show your genuine interest in the role and how your background aligns with their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in delivering high-value civil infrastructure projects, particularly in rail or aviation. Emphasise your leadership roles and specific achievements in managing multiple Project Managers and cross-disciplinary teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that directly addresses the key responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description. Showcase your expertise in NEC3/4 contract administration and your strong working knowledge of CDM 2015, while also demonstrating your ability to engage with senior stakeholders.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: In your application, clearly list your qualifications such as your degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management, along with any chartered status or formal project management certifications. This will help you stand out as a qualified candidate.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams through the full RIBA stages and managed complex projects. Use specific metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact, such as improvements in project delivery times or budget management.
How to prepare for a job interview at ECS Resource Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Project Manager, strong leadership is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing teams and how you've successfully led projects through various RIBA stages. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to mentor and guide others.
✨Demonstrate Contract Knowledge
Familiarity with NEC3/NEC4 contracts is essential for this role. Make sure you can explain your experience with contract administration, including handling early warnings and compensation events. This will show your understanding of the contractual landscape in civil infrastructure.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Engagement Experience
Engaging with clients, regulators, and senior leadership is a key responsibility. Prepare to share examples of how you've effectively communicated and negotiated with various stakeholders, ensuring alignment with project goals and compliance with regulations.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the technical nature of the role, be ready to answer questions related to CDM 2015 compliance and risk management. Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety leadership and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these practices in past projects.