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- Tasks: Lead a team to manage and deliver impactful projects for waterways and wellbeing.
- Company: Canal & River Trust cares for 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a personal learning budget.
- Why this job: Make a difference in communities while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in a related field and proven project management experience required.
- Other info: Fixed term contract until April 2027 with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 47000 £ per year.
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This range is provided by Canal & River Trust. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
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Recruitment Partner @ Canal & River Trust | Helping grow our teams in Engineering, Operations, Customer Service, Marketing, Social Media, IT…
** Fixed term contract until April 2027 **
Are you an experienced Project Manager interested in putting your project management expertise into practice to ultimately benefit millions of people? We are the Charity for waterways and wellbeing, who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays its part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and enjoy the unique experiences offered by our historic infrastructure.
We are currently looking for a Principal Project Manager to join our team in the North of our network.As one of our Principal Project Managers within our Infrastructure and Programmes Directorate (IPD) you will play an important role in supporting our vision and delivering our Waterways and Wellbeing strategy. You will be involved in a range of projects that will ensure our existing our national waterways, reservoirs and infrastructure are managed and maintained, as well being fundamental in bringing new developments and improvements to life for our visitors, customers and service users. Join us to be part of our project delivery programme, currently at £360m over the next 7 years. See how we make a difference ( & coverage
Offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings. Travel throughout the Northwest and Yorkshire & North East waterway network will also be expected to enable site visits and face to face meetings.
Hubs include: Ellesmere Port .
The regularity & flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview stage.
See our network map here: the role
In this leadership role within the Trust’s IPD you will be leading a team of project managers and be responsible for the delivery of your team’s programme of projects throughout the projects’ lifecycle, from Concept or Definition to Implementation and Closure. You will be collaborating with the Trust’s construction partners and stakeholders, to ensure all projects are delivered to the right quality, time, cost, safety and environment standards.
Key accountabilities:
- Prepare annual business plan budgets and programmes for the significant/larger projects.
- Lead and support a team of project managers, to ensure they deliver their projects successfully.
- Monitor and report on the projects’ progress, finances and outputs performance.
- Manage and control change on the projects and programme.
- Maintain effective communications with key programme stakeholders.
- Apply effective issue and risk management on the complex projects & programmes.
- Support the team to resolve project issues and manage risks.
- Provide contract management advice and support the project managers on all aspects of the contract.
- Create and maintain an environment and culture of incident and injury free, ensuring the safe delivery of projects.
About you
Technical experience:
- Proven Project Management experience, having successfully managing multiple medium/high/large scale complexity projects within the relevant sector (e.g., construction, asset management etc).
- Considerable experience of leading a team and applying strong organisational skills.
- Comprehensive knowledge of programme and project management processes and systems.
- Proficient in programming and planning activities and projects, as well as programme resource management.
- Comprehensive experience on the NEC forms of contract.
- Proven budgetary and commercial awareness with the ability to develop and agree budgets for programmes/projects.
- Knowledge and experience of Managing Safety in Construction, and the CDM Regulations.
- Programme management experience in the engineering or asset maintenance sector.
Qualifications:
- Degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline e.g., Civil Engineering, Project Management, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Science.
- Membership of an appropriate professional body i.e., Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Association for Project Management (APM), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)’ is desirable.
- Valid UK driving licence – Car Cash allowance is provided for regional/national travel, including travel to remote locations.
- Beneficial : Project/Programme Management accreditation/qualification i.e., APM Project Management Qualification, Managing Successful Programmes (MSP), Prince2.
General skills:
- Leading by example, ensuring the team take responsibility for the safety of colleagues, volunteers, themselves and customers.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to empower, motivate and inspire others, particularly project team members.
- Excellent interpersonal skills enabling the building of collaborative relationships with all programme/project stakeholders, with an ability to take account of their levels of influence.
- Excellent standard of written and verbal communication, including experience in making formal presentations in project management subjects.
- Proficient in the use of a personal computer and business applications software e.g., Excel, Word and other MS office applications, including use of MS Project.
- Valid UK driving licence – Car Cash allowance is provided for regional/national travel, including travel to remote locations.
If you have any questions about the role please
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What we offer
In addition to your annual base salary of£51,500 – £55,800 , we also offerCar Cash Allowance (£450 per month), a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements.
- Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
- 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
- Home working status with ‘hub’ facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
- Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity.
- Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
- Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
- 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
- Free fishing facilities across our canal network.
All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.
Seniority level
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Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
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Employment type
Full-time
Job function
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Job function
Project Management and Engineering
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Industries
Civil Engineering, Civic and Social Organizations, and Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
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Principal Project Manager employer: Canal & River Trust
Contact Detail:
Canal & River Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Canal & River Trust's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to waterways and wellbeing will help you align your experience and passion with their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Canal & River Trust. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific projects you've managed that demonstrate your leadership and project management skills. Highlighting relevant experiences will showcase your ability to handle the responsibilities of a Principal Project Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to talk about your approach to stakeholder management and communication. Given the collaborative nature of the role, demonstrating your interpersonal skills will be crucial in making a strong impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your project management experience, especially in construction or asset management. Emphasise your leadership skills and any relevant qualifications, such as membership in professional bodies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for waterways and wellbeing. Discuss how your experience aligns with the role's responsibilities and how you can contribute to the Canal & River Trust's mission.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on specific projects you've managed that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and deliver results. Use metrics to showcase your success, such as budget management and project timelines.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about the key accountabilities listed in the job description and prepare examples from your past experience that illustrate your ability to manage risks, communicate effectively, and lead project teams successfully.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal & River Trust
✨Showcase Your Project Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous project management roles in detail. Highlight specific projects you've led, focusing on the complexity and scale, and how you successfully navigated challenges. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of a Principal Project Manager.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
As a Principal Project Manager, you'll be leading a team. Share examples of how you've empowered and motivated your team members in past roles. Discuss your approach to leadership and how you foster a collaborative environment, which is crucial for this position.
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Canal & River Trust's mission and values, particularly their focus on waterways and wellbeing. Be ready to articulate how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their vision through effective project management.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to project management processes, NEC forms of contract, and safety regulations in construction. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles, as this will be key to demonstrating your expertise.
