Senior Project Manager (Section Lead) in Manchester

Are you an experienced Senior Project Manager / Construction Lead looking for a challenge on a significant infrastructure project? A tier 1 civil engineering contractor is delivering a highly complex infrastructure project, a technically complex, multi-phase scheme. The business is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to take responsibility for major works packages and lead the safe, efficient delivery of civil engineering projects from design through to completion. This role combines hands-on engineering expertise with high-level programme and commercial management within a collaborative and forward-thinking project environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of large-scale civil engineering works, ensuring performance against safety, quality, programme, and cost objectives.
• Oversee design coordination, procurement, subcontractor management, and on-site execution.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle - from tendering through to close-out - ensuring contractual obligations, variations, and claims are properly managed.
• Prepare, maintain, and review resource-loaded schedules; monitor schedule performance and drive remedial actions.
• Forecast costs, monitor budgets, and manage financial performance, including subcontractor accounts.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and opportunities; maintain risk registers and implement mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environment, CDM, and quality standards; lead safety forums, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee procurement and supply chain activities, ensuring timely procurement and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Ensure design coordination and constructability, managing interfaces across disciplines and integrating design changes without disrupting delivery.
• Maintain and present project reporting and performance dashboards to stakeholders, providing accurate status, forecasts, and KPIs.
• Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned, innovation, digital tools, and process enhancements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop project teams, including junior project managers, engineers, and site managers.
• Interface with clients, third parties, statutory authorities, and the public, managing expectations and communication effectively.
• Manage logistics, temporary works, lifting operations, site setup, and material delivery, especially in constrained or remote environments.
• Ensure handover and commissioning of completed works, with all testing, inspection, certification, and documentation completed.

What Sets This Role Apart

• Engineering at scale: Direct engagement with major civil infrastructure, where technical expertise and leadership make a tangible difference.
• Long-term impact: Part of a nationally significant programme delivering social and economic benefits for decades.
• Professional respect: The business values experience, accountability, and collaboration over hierarchy.
• Innovation with purpose: The programme integrates modern methods of construction, digital planning tools, and sustainable practices to improve delivery and outcomes.

The ideal candidate

• Substantial experience leading multi-million-pound civil engineering or infrastructure projects, ideally in highways, rail, energy, or major civils.
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness, with practical experience of NEC contracts.
• Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and complex interfaces.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, credible with clients, site teams, and delivery partners.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng MICE or equivalent), or working towards it.
• Commitment to safety, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Why Join

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to one of the UK's most ambitious civil engineering projects within a contractor that combines delivery excellence with technical depth. The successful candidate will join a business that invests in its people, values practical expertise, and empowers senior leaders to shape how major infrastructure is delivered.

Aldwych Consulting values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.