At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects in education, commercial, and heritage sectors across Oxford.
- Company: Established family-owned contractor with a strong reputation for quality and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, pension, and long-term career prospects.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent opportunities for progression.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact on diverse projects.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Project Manager or Senior Site Manager with strong leadership skills.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Special Works Project Manager to join a well-established, family-owned regional contractor with a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality schemes across Oxford and the wider South of England.
With a heritage spanning well over a century, this business has built an outstanding name for delivering design & build, new build, restoration and refurbishment projects, typically ranging from £500k to £5 million. Known for its collaborative approach, people-first culture, and commitment to quality, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a contractor with real stability, strong values, and an excellent local reputation.
The Role
This is a key position within the Oxford team, focused on delivering a range of special works projects across the education, commercial, leisure, and heritage sectors. The business has several schemes due to start over the coming months, with project values ranging from £500k to £5 million, all based in Central Oxford. These projects will include a mix of new build and refurbishment works, providing excellent variety, interesting technical challenges, and a strong pipeline of local work. This role would suit either an existing Project Manager or an experienced Senior Site Manager looking to step into a broader leadership role within a respected regional contractor.
The Company
Our client is an award-winning and financially strong regional contractor with an established presence across the South of England. They deliver projects across a diverse range of sectors including:
- Education
- Commercial
- Leisure
- Healthcare
- Residential
- Arts & Culture
- Heritage-led projects
Their success has been built on a reputation for being friendly, professional, collaborative, and quality-driven, with a culture that genuinely values its people. The business is also well known for building long-term relationships with both clients and supply chain partners, offering employees stability, longevity, and genuine progression opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
As Special Works Project Manager, you will take a lead role in the successful delivery of projects across Oxford and the surrounding area. Responsibilities will include:
- Leading the day-to-day delivery of projects from inception through to completion
- Managing site teams, subcontractors, and programme performance
- Ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and to a high standard
- Coordinating with clients, consultants, and internal teams to maintain progress and communication
- Overseeing site logistics, reporting, and planning activities
- Supporting commercial and programme objectives throughout the project lifecycle
- Driving a positive site culture and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships
About You
To be considered, you will ideally have:
- Experience as a Project Manager, or be an experienced Senior Site Manager ready to step up
- A background working for a main contractor
- Experience delivering new build and/or refurbishment projects
- Sector exposure within education, commercial, leisure, or heritage projects would be highly desirable
- Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
- The ability to manage projects and site teams effectively while maintaining high standards
- Ambition to join a business offering long-term progression and stability
What's on Offer
- £72,000 - £77,000 salary
- Car allowance
- Pension
- Opportunity to work on a varied and secure pipeline of projects across Oxford
- A lead role within a respected and established regional contractor
- Long-term career prospects with a business known for staff retention and progression
- Supportive, collaborative, and people-focused team culture
If you would like to discuss this opportunity in confidence, please apply below or contact James Mitchell at Hays Southampton.
Project Manager in Oxford employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a forward-thinking IT team where your expertise in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform will be valued and nurtured. We offer a flexible hybrid working environment, a comprehensive benefits package, and ample opportunities for professional growth, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to impactful projects. Our collaborative work culture encourages innovation and supports your development as you help shape critical business solutions.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager in Oxford
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Project Manager at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
