Senior Project Manager in Leeds

A Senior Project Manager is required to take operational and commercial responsibility for a portfolio of mechanical and electrical projects across live retail and commercial environments. This is a senior client-facing role covering projects from early engagement and surveys through design, procurement, delivery, commissioning and final account. You will lead Project Managers and wider delivery teams while maintaining strong client relationships and identifying opportunities for further project work.

The Role

• You will take ownership of multiple concurrent M&E projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, commercially and to programme.
• The work will include mechanical and electrical projects, HVAC, decarbonisation, asset replacement and associated building services works.
• Projects will often be delivered within live environments where minimising disruption to customers, staff and business-critical operations is essential.
• Alongside project delivery, you will act as a senior point of contact for the client, helping to develop the account, understand future requirements and turn opportunities into deliverable projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multiple M&E, HVAC and building services projects from pre-construction through to handover and final account.
• Manage Project Managers, site teams, subcontractors and specialist delivery partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with client property, engineering, procurement and operational teams.
• Lead project and account reviews, providing clear updates on programme, cost, risks and performance.
• Manage budgets, CVRs, forecasting, payment applications, variations, procurement and final accounts.
• Identify changes to scope and ensure variations are properly recorded, instructed and valued.
• Coordinate design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover activities.
• Oversee subcontractor performance, quality, programme and health and safety.
• Plan and manage works within live retail environments, taking account of trading requirements and operational constraints.
• Ensure RAMS, permits, construction phase planning, inspections and assurance processes are in place.
• Monitor labour, materials, technical submissions, RFIs, programme dependencies and commercial risks.
• Ensure commissioning, O&M information, training, defects and handover documentation are completed properly.
• Support tendering and work-winning activity, developing opportunities across existing and adjacent workstreams.
• Coach and develop Project Managers, creating clear ownership and consistent delivery standards.
• Lead lessons learned and continuous improvement across the project portfolio.

Technical Experience

The successful Senior Project Manager will ideally have experience across some of the following:

• Mechanical and electrical building services
• HVAC and air conditioning
• Heat pumps and decarbonisation projects
• AHUs and ventilation systems
• Refrigeration interfaces
• Controls and BEMS
• Major HVAC or mechanical asset replacement
• Live retail or other business-critical environments
• Multi-site or framework project delivery

Experience managing projects from survey and design through procurement, installation, commissioning and final account is important.

What You'll Need

• Proven experience as a Senior Project Manager, Project Manager or similar within M&E, mechanical, electrical, HVAC, building services or construction.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong client-facing and account management skills.
• Good commercial understanding, including budgets, CVRs, forecasting, variations and final accounts.
• Experience leading Project Managers, site teams and subcontractors.
• Strong understanding of design coordination, commissioning and handover.
• Working knowledge of CDM, construction health and safety and quality requirements.
• Competence with Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Project or equivalent.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willingness to travel nationally where required.

Required certifications:

• SMSTS or equivalent
• Appropriate CSCS card
• Asbestos Awareness, or willingness to obtain
• First Aid at Work, or willingness to obtain

A relevant qualification in building services, mechanical/electrical engineering, construction management or project management would be advantageous. Membership of CIBSE, CIOB, APM or another relevant professional body is also beneficial.

Experience working with major multi-site retailers or under framework agreements would be particularly relevant.

What's On Offer

• Senior-level responsibility across a substantial M&E project portfolio
• Direct client and account management responsibility
• Opportunity to lead and develop Project Managers and delivery teams
• Exposure to HVAC, decarbonisation, asset replacement and wider building services projects
• Long-term opportunity within a growing project delivery function
• 40-hour working week

About the Business

The business delivers integrated construction, mechanical and electrical projects across commercial and retail environments. Its work includes M&E upgrades, HVAC, decarbonisation, asset replacement and wider building services projects, often within live operational sites where programme certainty, safety and quality are critical. The role offers the opportunity to take a senior position within the project delivery function while having a direct influence on client relationships, commercial performance and future project opportunities.

If you're an experienced Senior Project Manager with an M&E, HVAC, mechanical, electrical or building services background and are looking for a role combining project delivery, commercial responsibility and client management, we'd like to hear from you. Apply with your CV or contact us for a confidential discussion about the position.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age. We act as both an employment agency and employment business.