At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage civils and groundworks projects, ensuring smooth delivery and team support.
- Company: Brownlee Cale, a contractor known for valuing freelancers and fostering long-term relationships.
- Benefits: Negotiable rates, lodge support for travel, and potential for ongoing work.
- Other info: Enjoy a sensible working week with opportunities for career growth in the Northeast.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team on impactful projects like hospitals and theatres, with hands-on involvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management within civils or groundworks, ideally on projects £2m to £10m.
Location: Berwick
Project: Hospital or Theatre Build
Duration: 12 months
Start: June/July 2026
Working hours: 45-hour week, with potential for an early finish on Fridays
Engagement: Limited company contractor or CIS sole trader considered
Rate: Negotiable, depending on experience
Lodge: Additional lodge rates available where required, typically for contractors travelling from outside 1 hour 15 minutes of site
Brownlee Cale are looking for a hands-on Freelance Project Manager to support the delivery of civils and groundworks packages on a project in Berwick. The role will be attached to one of two schemes: either a hospital project or a theatre build, with our client delivering packages including foundations, drainage and remedial works. The project is expected to run for around 12 months, with potential for ongoing work for the right person. Our client are known for looking after their freelancers and keeping good people busy where possible. If someone comes in, does the job properly and fits the team, this is the type of contractor that will try to move them onto future works rather than let them walk out the door.
This role would suit a Project Manager who has worked in self-delivery civils or groundworks environments, ideally on schemes ranging from £2m to £10m. The team will be small, so this is not a role for someone who wants to sit at arm's length from the works. Our client need someone visible, practical and comfortable getting involved. You will be working closely with a Site Manager, Site Supervisor and Site Engineer, so the successful person needs to be confident leading from the front, supporting the team and keeping the job moving day to day.
Scope of works may include:
- Foundations
- Drainage
- Remedial works
- Groundworks
- External works
- Civils packages on building-led schemes
Key responsibilities:
- Oversee day-to-day delivery of the civils and groundworks package
- Lead and support a small site team consisting of a Site Manager, Site Supervisor and Site Engineer
- Manage programme, sequencing, productivity and site progress
- Coordinate labour, plant, materials, suppliers and subcontractors
- Liaise with the client, consultants and internal teams
- Identify site risks early and help resolve issues quickly
- Support RAMS, permits, temporary works, quality checks and site documentation
- Monitor progress against programme and commercial targets
- Maintain clear communication across site and client teams
- Bring a hands-on, practical approach to project delivery
Ideal experience:
- Previous experience as a Project Manager within civils, groundworks or infrastructure
- Strong background in self-delivery schemes
- Experience managing packages or projects around £2m to £10m
- Good understanding of foundations, drainage, remedial works and groundworks
- Comfortable working on building-led civils packages such as hospitals, schools, theatres or similar schemes
- Able to lead a lean site team without needing layers of support around them
- Strong client-facing, planning and problem-solving skills
- Practical, visible and commercially aware
Desirable tickets / qualifications:
- SMSTS
- CSCS
- First Aid
- Temporary Works experience or awareness
- Civil engineering or construction management background
This is a strong opportunity for a freelance Project Manager looking for a 12-month run of work in the Northeast, with a sensible working week, lodge support where required, and a contractor known for keeping good people on beyond the initial project.
Freelance Project Manager employer: Brownlee Cale
Brownlee Cale is an exceptional employer for freelance Project Managers, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its contractors. With a focus on meaningful engagement in civils and groundworks projects, particularly in the healthcare and arts sectors, employees benefit from a sensible working week, lodge support for those travelling, and opportunities for ongoing work beyond the initial project. The company values hands-on involvement and fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring that dedicated professionals are recognised and retained for future projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelance Project Manager
✨Join Local Construction Groups
Tap into local construction communities and forums—think Facebook groups, Meetup, or even LinkedIn. These platforms often have job postings specifically for freelancers and can connect you with potential clients who are looking for your skills.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a public portfolio showcasing your previous projects. This could be through a personal website or platforms like Behance. Potential clients want to see what you can do, so let your best work do the talking!
✨Network at Construction Events
Get out there and attend construction trade shows and local networking events. These are great for making connections and can often lead directly to freelance opportunities, plus you get to meet people who share your passion for the industry.
✨Utilise Online Freelance Platforms
Don't forget to get on freelance job platforms like Upwork and Freelancer that cater to construction gigs. Build your profile there and start bidding on projects. It’s a solid way to get the ball rolling on your freelance journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Craft:In the construction field, it's all about your hands-on experience and the projects you've worked on. Make sure to include detailed descriptions of past projects in your CV or portfolio. Highlight specific skills, tools, and techniques you’ve mastered that are relevant to the work you're applying for at Brownlee Cale.
Provide a Portfolio:As this is a freelance role, having a solid portfolio is key! Include photos and descriptions of your previous work so potential clients can see what you bring to the table. Showcasing a variety of projects can really help demonstrate your versatility in the construction industry.
Clarify Your Availability and Rates:Freelancing is all about communication, so be clear about your availability and rates in your application. Let Brownlee Cale know when you can start and what your pricing structure looks like. This helps set the right expectations and shows you’re professional and organised.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:In construction, having the right certifications can set you apart. Mention any industry-relevant qualifications you have, such as health and safety certifications or trade-specific licenses. This not only bolsters your CV but also shows you've got the expertise to get the job done safely and effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brownlee Cale
✨Showcase Your Project Portfolio
For a freelance role in construction, we should prepare a strong portfolio demonstrating our previous work. Highlight completed projects, showcasing not just the end result but also the problem-solving skills and tools we used during construction. This visual evidence can really set us apart!
✨Know Your Tools and Techniques
Understanding the latest construction tools and techniques is essential for standing out. Familiarise ourselves with current methodologies and any new software that's relevant to the industry. If we can discuss how we've used these tools in previous projects, it’ll show that we’re on the ball and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
During the interview, we might face practical questions related to site management or problem-solving on the job. Be ready to discuss specific challenges we've faced in past projects and how we overcame them. This will demonstrate our ability to think on our feet and handle the real-world pressures of the construction field.
✨Pitch Your Rates and Work Style
As freelancers, we need to be clear about our rates and working style. Be prepared to discuss our pricing strategy based on past projects. This is not just about the numbers but conveying the value we bring to potential clients like Brownlee Cale. Confidence in our worth can go a long way in these discussions!
