Associate Director – Project Management (Northwest) in Birmingham

A senior technical advisory role shaping a £300m+ education portfolio. AtkinsRéalis is a key partner on the Department for Education’s Technical Advisory Services 2025 framework, supporting delivery of a national programme exceeding 100 school projects. In the North West, our portfolio of 12 live school replacement projects (growing to 15–18) requires a senior leader to provide technical direction, commercial oversight, and client assurance.

We are seeking an Associate Director to act as a technical advisor across the regional portfolio, ensuring alignment with national delivery standards and driving consistently high performance. This role offers the opportunity to play a key part in delivering a nationally important education programme while operating at an Associate Director level with influence across a regional landscape. It involves working within a rapidly expanding £300m+ portfolio and collaborating with a high-performing national framework team. The position also provides a clear progression pathway toward Director-level leadership, making it both impactful and career-advancing.

Your role

Reporting to the Head of Project Management – North West, and working closely with the DfE Client Director, you will operate as a critical link between regional delivery and the national framework team. This is a highly client-facing role, with regular engagement with the DfE Head of Operations and Project Directors, and influence across a £250–£300m portfolio.

Technical & Delivery Leadership

• Act as regional technical advisor lead across all NW DfE projects, ensuring alignment with framework and national delivery standards.
• Provide assurance across project lifecycle including governance, risk, and delivery strategies.
• Lead gateway reviews and portfolio-level performance improvements.
• Direct and influence project teams (without line management) to ensure consistent, best-in-class delivery.

Framework Integration

• Ensure seamless integration with the national delivery team.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of the DfE Technical Advisory Services 2025 framework.
• Drive consistency in process, reporting, and delivery approach across all projects.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Provide oversight of project finances across the portfolio.
• Ensure robust management of fees, scope, and variations.
• Support delivery of 90% utilisation targets and commercial performance.
• Maintain accurate monthly reporting aligned to the business operating cycle.
• Contribute to the national P&L through disciplined financial management.

Client Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with regional DfE leadership.
• Enhance AtkinsRéalis’ reputation as a strategic partner within the framework.

About you

We are seeking a credible senior leader with strong technical and commercial acumen.

Essential:

• Proven experience in project or programme management within the built environment.
• Strong background in public sector and education projects.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the DfE Technical Advisory Services framework.
• Experience operating at portfolio or multi-project level.
• Strong commercial awareness, including fee, scope, and variation management.
• Experience delivering robust reporting into business P&L cycles.
• Highly effective client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Chartered status (APM, RICS, or equivalent).

Desirable:

• Experience working on national frameworks or large-scale programmes.
• JCT contract experience.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria.