At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting rail projects, ensuring safety and quality while managing budgets and stakeholder relationships.
- Company: Join a dynamic team working on major government rail projects with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work model, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the rail industry while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience, with major rail project knowledge preferred.
Salary/Rate: £221-321 per day inside IR35
Location: Hybrid, 3 days per week in Manchester or York
Contract Duration: approx. 3 months
We are currently looking for an Assistant Project Manager for our government client. This role is hybrid, based between 3 days per week on site and the remainder of the week working from home. Office locations include Manchester or York as preferred, and candidates must be based within a 60-minute commute. There is no further flexibility with expected time on site, or the office locations. The contract for this position is until 30/9/26, with potential to extend. This role is inside IR35 - Due to the service of the role, it will now be based on an Umbrella solution.
Essential Skills / Experience required:
- Major Rail project experience
- Experience in major programmes - Development and implementation
- Successful relevant experience in a project environment in particular managing ambiguity and complexity
- Project safety management knowledge (relevant construction and Health and Safety legislation)
- Commercial acumen including contract management experience (internal and external)
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience.
- PRINCE2 Foundation or equivalent
Desirable Skills:
- Membership of the Association for Project Management (APM) or relevant professional qualification
- Demonstrable experience of managing within a complex matrix environment
- Knowledge and understanding of rail investment regulations
- Budget experience/accountability
Role / Responsibilities:
- Lead the development of the project(s) to time, cost and quality in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, in accordance with current legislation including Railway Interoperability Regulations, Common Safety Method of Risk Assessment and Measurement (CSM) Regulations, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM), Railway Group standards, rail company standards and the Governance of Railway Investment Projects (GRIP).
- Provide a professional and effective project development service to the client(s), including reporting systems in accordance with Railway Group, rail company standards and guidelines including reviewing, clarifying, challenging and agreeing remits and requirement documents.
- Identify, establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Responsible for creation and management of project budgets, periodic reviews, forecasting and engaging the support of the commercial team in the development of contracting strategies, procurement activities and supplier engagement.
- Minimise project safety risk through the management of the pre-construction phase to reduce project risk exposure for both the company and suppliers e.g. CDM compliance (appointments, competencies, duties), Safe by Design, Health Safety documentation - CSM Hazard Identification, Close Call monitoring.
- Evaluate, mitigate and manage commercial and programme risks.
- Creation of baseline programme and ongoing management, to support the delivery of an efficient Programme Level integrated plan.
- Provide advice to clients on project development and related techniques which include identifying strategies for the development and implementation stages, balancing project objectives within known constraints e.g. available funding, current market conditions, access strategies, high level resources and programme timescales.
If you are interested in the above role, please click Apply Now and send a CV for quick review.
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Circle and our Client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. If you qualify, please notify us on igs [at] circlerecruitment [dot] com. We will be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your guaranteed interview. Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a better way for us to communicate, please do let us know.
Project Development Manager employer: Circle Recruitment
As a Project Development Manager with our government client, you will thrive in a supportive and dynamic work environment that values collaboration and innovation. With a hybrid working model based in vibrant Manchester or historic York, you will enjoy the flexibility of remote work while being part of impactful major rail projects. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing training opportunities and a culture that prioritises safety, inclusivity, and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the rail industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Project Development Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your project management knowledge, especially around safety regulations and stakeholder engagement. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to managing ambiguity and complexity in projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your commercial acumen! Be ready to discuss your experience with contract management and budget accountability. We want to see how you've successfully navigated financial aspects in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the quickest way to get your CV in front of the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Development Manager role. Highlight your major rail project experience and any relevant qualifications like PRINCE2. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Experience:In your application, don’t just list your past jobs. Instead, showcase specific examples of how you've managed ambiguity and complexity in projects. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills!
Engage Stakeholders:Since stakeholder engagement is key for this role, mention any experiences where you successfully built relationships with internal and external stakeholders. We want to know how you communicate and collaborate!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the quickest way for us to review your application. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Circle Recruitment
✨Know Your Projects
Make sure you brush up on your major rail project experience. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, focusing on how you managed ambiguity and complexity. This will show that you understand the challenges of the role.
✨Safety First
Familiarise yourself with relevant construction and health and safety legislation. Be prepared to talk about how you've implemented safety management in past projects, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Stakeholder Engagement
Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with stakeholders. Highlight your communication skills and how you've built effective relationships, as this is key for a Project Development Manager.
✨Budget Savvy
Brush up on your commercial acumen and budget management experience. Be ready to discuss how you've created and managed project budgets, and how you’ve engaged with commercial teams in the past.
