At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects in modernising rotating equipment from start to finish.
- Company: Join Howden, a leader in engineered solutions since 1854.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, pension contributions, and wellness support.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with opportunities for permanent placement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Project management experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Peterborough, England, United Kingdom, PE4 5HG
The Role
We are looking for a driven and technically minded Project Manager to lead aftermarket projects focused on the overhaul, revamp, installation, and modernisation of rotating equipment. You will take full ownership of assigned projects from initial solution development and estimating through to commercial negotiation, execution, and close out. This is a role for someone who thrives on end to end responsibility - balancing customer engagement, technical coordination, commercial control, and delivery excellence. You will be the central link between sales, engineering, operations, suppliers, and customers, ensuring every project is delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You will manage projects typically ranging from £200K to £2M, with performance tracked weekly and monthly. Your work will directly influence customer satisfaction, repeat business, and the financial success of the business. The role is initially being recruited on a 12 month FTC basis, however we would intend to make the position permanent. Hybrid working is available, and remote work could be offered dependent on circumstances.
What you will do
- Act as the primary interface for allocated projects, ensuring clear communication between sales, engineering, operations, suppliers, and customers.
- Develop accurate and well substantiated estimates to support tenders and proposals.
- Manage projects across the full lifecycle, including scope, deliverables, schedules, budgets, risks, and contractual obligations.
- Ensure the right technical and operational resources are deployed to meet project requirements.
- Maintain full financial control - monitoring costs, cash flow, and performance to maximise profitability.
- Identify and actively manage project risks, developing mitigation and contingency plans.
- Communicate project progress and scope changes to customers, securing formal approvals and preparing variation quotations.
- Oversee suppliers and subcontractors to ensure compliance with contractual, quality, and safety requirements.
- Plan and manage all products and services delivered as part of the project, including offshore activities where required.
- Expedite goods and services to ensure project milestones are achieved.
- Ensure all activities comply with company and customer HSEQ and quality standards.
- Produce and maintain project documentation, work instructions, reports, and contract records in line with governance requirements.
What do you bring?
An ideal candidate would likely have the following profile:
- Proven end to end project management experience, from estimating and proposal development through execution and commissioning.
- Strong customer relationship management skills, ensuring clients feel supported and valued.
- Experience managing multiple customer and supplier contracts, including scope and change control.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and margin management.
- Ability to coordinate engineering, operations, subcontractors, and suppliers under time critical conditions.
- Competence in planning and scheduling detailed project activities, particularly outages or time bound works.
- Strong risk management capability across technical, commercial, schedule, and safety domains.
- Clear and confident communication skills, capable of leading meetings and producing high quality reports.
- Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in fast moving environments.
- Time served engineering background with an HNC (or equivalent) in an engineering discipline.
- Ability to lead and influence people who are not direct reports.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, MS Project and regular contract review.
Working style & travel
This role is ideally based at our Peterborough facility with hybrid working available (up to 2 days per week). Home based working could be offered depending upon circumstances. Regular travel within the UK may be required. You will work closely with internal colleagues across HTO UK and other regional Howden locations, as well as customers, suppliers, and inspection authorities.
This is a 12 month contract position based at our office in Peterborough, which we would wish to make permanent. Our range of fantastic benefits includes:
- Generous holiday entitlement package totalling 33 days annual leave
- Howden Pension Plan with a maximum employer contribution of 7%
- Company electric vehicle scheme through salary sacrifice
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, shared parental and adoption leave pay
- Free onsite parking
- Access to My Howden Benefits & Wellbeing Portal - Cycle2Work programme, range of discounts across various retailers, employee assistance programme, wealth of information to support health & wellbeing
- Dedicated Spark Service - free counselling, physiotherapy, financial support, medical second opinion, remote GP, personal training, nutrition consultations etc
- Opportunity to be involved in our ESG ‘Bright Future’ initiatives - STEM ambassador & volunteering
Howden is an equal opportunity employer. The Company intention in respect of recruitment, selection and promotion is to appoint the most suitable candidate for each job regardless of that person’s race, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability.
Project Manager (12 month FTC) employer: CHART COOLER SVC CO INC
Howden is an exceptional employer located in Peterborough, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters employee growth and development. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, employees benefit from generous holiday entitlements, a robust pension plan, and access to comprehensive wellbeing resources. The company promotes a collaborative culture where every team member plays a vital role in delivering high-quality projects, ensuring job satisfaction and meaningful contributions to the future of clean energy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager (12 month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Project Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Howden and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in our work and how you can contribute to our mission. Tailor your answers to reflect our values and the specifics of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Project Manager, you’ll need to convey complex ideas clearly. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with articulating your thoughts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager (12 month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your project management experience, especially in areas like estimating and execution. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past projects, focus on specific achievements and outcomes. Use numbers where possible to demonstrate your impact, like budget management or project timelines. This helps us see the value you can bring!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your communication is easy to follow. This reflects the clear communication we value in our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at CHART COOLER SVC CO INC
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've managed in the past. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the results you achieved. This will show your potential employer that you have the hands-on experience they’re looking for.
✨Master the Art of Communication
As a Project Manager, clear communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts on how you would manage stakeholder relationships and ensure everyone is on the same page. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated project updates or changes in the past.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Since this role involves financial control, be prepared to discuss your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and cost management. Bring examples of how you've maximised profitability in previous projects, as this will demonstrate your commercial awareness and ability to handle financial responsibilities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and risk management capabilities. Think of situations where you had to make tough decisions under pressure and how you managed risks. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently during the interview.