Mechanical Project Manager in Essex, Waltham Abbey

Our client, a leading water sector specialist, is seeking an experienced Project Manager based near Waltham Abbey. This is a permanent role; contractors would not be considered for this role. The client is seeking a candidate with a Mechanical background, ideally with formal mechanical qualifications. As this role is working within the water sector, you will ideally have previous water sector experience.

Role Overview

The Project Manager holds full accountability for delivering engineering projects from initiation through to completion. This includes ownership of programme, cost control, technical scope, quality standards, and health & safety compliance. The role requires strong commercial awareness, proactive stakeholder management, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver profitable, high-quality outcomes while maintaining client satisfaction.

Job Responsibilities

• Project & Commercial Management
  • Take full responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of multiple projects, including financial performance (P&L).
  • Develop detailed project plans, schedules, and cost forecasts.
  • Monitor actual performance against budget and programme, identifying and reporting variances early.
  • Control expenditure, manage invoicing schedules, and ensure timely revenue realisation.
  • Manage procurement activities including supplier selection, ordering, and delivery coordination.
  • Oversee subcontractor performance to ensure compliance with contractual and quality standards.
• Scope, Risk & Governance
  • Define and document clear project scope and acceptance criteria.
  • Implement structured change control procedures to manage scope adjustments.
  • Maintain and actively manage risk and issue registers, implementing mitigation plans where required.
  • Ensure all activities operate within established management systems and company procedures.
  • Secure required permits and approvals relevant to project delivery.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Act as the primary contact for clients, engineers, and technical teams throughout project execution.
  • Prepare proposals and solution outlines aligned to client requirements and operational constraints.
  • Provide clear and consistent progress reporting to senior management and stakeholders.
  • Conduct structured project close-out activities including handover documentation and lessons learned reviews.
• Health, Safety & Compliance
  • Lead a proactive health and safety culture across all project activities.
  • Prepare and review risk assessments and method statements.
  • Conduct site inspections, toolbox talks, and safety briefings.
  • Investigate incidents and ensure corrective actions are implemented within required timeframes.
  • Ensure compliance with quality, environmental, and safety standards at all times.

Candidate Overview

• Proven experience managing engineering or infrastructure projects within a site-based environment.
• Strong leadership capability with the ability to motivate and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Commercially astute with solid analytical and financial management skills.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent project management certification.
• HND in Engineering (essential); degree-qualified in Engineering or related discipline desirable.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to define project scope clearly and develop structured delivery plans.
• Organised and capable of managing multiple concurrent priorities effectively.
• Experience within regulated or utilities sectors advantageous but not essential.