Senior Project Manager in Bedford

Senior Project Manager – Electrical Capital Works

Contract: Initial 6 months, followed by 3-month rolling extensions

Day Rate: £500–£550 per day

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days on-site / office, 2 days remote

The Role

We are recruiting an experienced Senior Project Manager, Electrical Capital Works to lead the delivery of major capital investment projects across a large and complex property portfolio.

The role will have a particular focus on electrical and life-safety projects, including fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, electrical infrastructure and EICR-related upgrade programmes.

We are ideally looking for someone with a strong electrical engineering or electrical building-services backgroundwho has progressed into senior project management and can confidently manage projects across the full lifecycle.

Although electrical expertise is the priority, this is not purely an electrical engineering role. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable managing multidisciplinary programmes involving electrical, mechanical, building and construction works.

Projects will typically range from £1m to £7m–£8m+, often running across multiple properties and financial years.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of major electrical and capital works programmes from inception through to completion.
• Manage projects across the full RIBA lifecycle from Stage 0 through to Stage 7.
• Deliver electrical and life-safety projects including:
• Fire alarm installations and upgrades
• Emergency lighting
• EICR remedial and upgrade programmes
• Lateral mains and electrical infrastructure upgrades
• Electrical works associated with fire and building safety
• Nurse call and warden call systems
• Associated M&E and building works
• Manage multiple concurrent projects across occupied residential and public buildings.
• Lead projects within high-rise and higher-risk buildings, including works involving vulnerable residents.
• Develop project scopes, briefs, specifications and delivery programmes.
• Take projects through feasibility, design, procurement, construction and final handover.
• Procure works and professional services through appropriate frameworks and procurement routes.
• Manage Principal Designers, consultants, contractors and specialist suppliers.
• Ensure projects comply with relevant Building Safety requirements, regulatory gateways and statutory obligations.
• Manage project budgets, cost plans, forecasts and financial reporting.
• Monitor contractor performance against programme, cost, quality and compliance requirements.
• Undertake regular site visits and ensure works are progressing in accordance with agreed specifications.
• Coordinate internal teams, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders.
• Manage resident-facing issues associated with works in occupied properties.
• Provide clear programme and project reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Identify project risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
• Manage project handover and ensure completed assets are operationally ready.

The Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will have a core electrical background combined with significant capital project management experience.

You may have started your career within electrical engineering, electrical building services or M&E before moving into construction or capital project management.

We would particularly like to speak with candidates who have experience delivering electrical projects within housing, public buildings or large property estates.

Essential / Highly Desirable Experience

• Strong Senior Project Manager / Capital Project Manager experience.
• Significant experience delivering electrical capital works.
• Good technical understanding of electrical building services.
• Experience delivering fire alarm, emergency lighting, electrical infrastructure or compliance-related programmes.
• Experience managing projects from RIBA Stage 0 through to Stage 7.
• Strong construction and building-services project management capability.
• Experience managing projects valued at £1m+, ideally including programmes of £5m+.
• Strong procurement and contractor-management experience.
• Experience managing projects through framework providers.
• Good knowledge of current building and construction compliance requirements.
• Understanding of the Building Safety Regulator / Building Safety regime and gateway processes.
• Experience delivering works within occupied buildings.
• Strong stakeholder, consultant and contractor management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and workstreams simultaneously.

Previous local authority experience would be advantageous but is not essential.

Candidates from other complex UK public-sector environments will also be considered, including:

• NHS
• Transport
• Education
• Central Government
• Housing
• Other large public-sector property estates

Candidates who have delivered major electrical capital works within schools, hospitals, public buildings or other non-residential estates are encouraged to apply where their experience is transferable.

High-Rise / Building Safety Experience

Experience working within high-rise residential or higher-risk buildings would be particularly beneficial.

Relevant experience could include:

• Building Safety Act / Building Safety Regulator requirements
• Gateway submissions
• Fire and life-safety works
• High-rise electrical infrastructure
• Fire alarm upgrades
• Lateral mains
• Compartmentation interfaces
• Cladding-related programmes
• Occupied residential refurbishment

Qualifications

A relevant professional or technical qualification would be highly desirable, particularly within:

• Electrical Engineering
• Building Services Engineering
• M&E
• Construction
• Project Management

Recognised project management qualifications such as APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent would also be advantageous.

Additional Requirements

The role will involve regular site visits, contractor liaison and engagement with residents and stakeholders

A full UK driving licence would therefore be advantageous.