At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex clean water pipeline projects from design to construction.
- Company: Join Avove, a leader in sustainable utilities infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, company car, enhanced leave, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and knowledge of NEC contracts required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Working here isn’t just a job. You can advance your career at Avove, and we’ll reward you with a range of benefits that recognise great work. We provide full training and continuous development to help you reach your potential. We strive to create an inclusive working environment where everyone can be themselves. Join us and take the next step towards a fulfilling career.
We understand the impact our work has on our society and the environment. It’s the difference we make that improves people’s lives and helps the economy to grow. We work alongside our customers to deliver resilient, bespoke infrastructure solutions that keep the taps running, the energy flowing and people connected. The work we do together matters.
About the role
Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery of complex clean water pipeline projects. You will be responsible for managing projects from design through to construction and commissioning, bringing strong project management expertise, commercial awareness, and proven leadership experience within the water or utilities sector.
Location: Derby (Hybrid working with time split between office/site and home with occasional travel required)
Benefits: Company car, enhanced annual leave, company pension scheme, family friendly policies
Responsibilities:
- Lead the safe, compliant and efficient delivery of large-diameter clean water pipeline schemes
- Apply project management fundamentals (PMQ or equivalent) to govern project lifecycle, including scope, schedule, cost, risk, and quality control
- Manage project performance under NEC contracts, including cost forecasting, compensation events, and risk mitigation
- Coordinate multidisciplinary design and construction teams, ensuring alignment across engineering, commercial, environmental and delivery functions
- Oversee delivery of linear infrastructure across rural and semi-rural corridors, addressing logistical and environmental constraints
- Manage trenchless crossings, tie-ins and complex interfaces with existing infrastructure and third parties
- Lead stakeholder engagement, including landowners, regulators, local authorities, and utility providers
- Drive programme certainty, productivity, and quality outcomes, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget
- Champion health, safety, and environmental compliance, embedding best practice across all stages
About you:
- Strong background in construction and project management, with knowledge of PMQ fundamentals or equivalent methodologies
- Demonstrable experience managing NEC contracts and commercial performance
- Experience delivering linear works across challenging environments (rural, environmentally sensitive, or constrained corridors)
- Expertise in trenchless technologies and complex pipeline interfaces
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary site teams and coordinate multiple stakeholders
- Strong understanding of programme controls, risk management, and cost management
- Experience with land access, stakeholder negotiation, and environmental compliance
- Ability to make informed decisions under technical, programme, and environmental constraints
- Background within clean water / utilities infrastructure sector is essential
What’s in it for you:
- We offer a rewarding salary that is tailored to your skills and experience.
- We celebrate hard work and give recognition to our colleagues.
- Everyone has access to a variety of flexible benefits that work for you.
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Family friendly policies
- A selection of lifestyle benefit options
- Financial wellbeing programme
- Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues.
- Volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving.
- Rewards initiative for achieving recognised professional qualifications.
About us:
We design, build and maintain the UK’s utilities infrastructure to help transform local communities for the better. We provide cutting-edge and sustainable engineering solutions and play a critical role in helping to keep the water running, the lights on and people connected.
We are an expert, responsible and agile partner, providing vital services to water, power and telecommunications sectors. We work closely with our clients to help protect and improve their assets, enhance customer experience and protect the natural environment. Everything we do is designed to drive continual improvement and move life forward.
We are proud to work in partnership with leading utility providers, including Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northern PowerGrid, Northumbrian Water Group, Scottish Power Energy Networks and Scottish Water.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all races, genders, disabilities, religions, ages and sexual orientations. We know that having a diverse workforce encourages new perspectives, inspires creativity and creates an engaging workplace and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues can thrive.
What next:
We encourage you to apply for this role as soon as you can. We recognise talent waits for no one, so we progress candidates individually through all stages of recruitment process. If you have any questions, please reach out for an informal discussion.
Operations - Project Manager employer: Avove
At Avove, we believe in nurturing talent and fostering a culture of inclusivity, making it an exceptional place to work as a Senior Project Manager. Located in the West Midlands, you will benefit from a competitive salary, flexible benefits tailored to your needs, and opportunities for professional growth through continuous training and development. Join us in making a meaningful impact on communities while enjoying a supportive work environment that values your contributions and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations - Project Manager
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Avove, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Operations - Project Manager at Avove.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations - Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avove
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
