At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major water and wastewater projects, ensuring safety, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Company: Join Mott MacDonald Bentley, a leader in integrated design and build across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in infrastructure while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering and project management for complex infrastructure projects.
The predicted salary is between 64350 - 78650 £ per year.
Mott MacDonald Bentley is a fully integrated design and build business combining the design expertise of Mott MacDonald with the contracting experience of JN Bentley, operating across water, energy and environment sectors throughout the UK. With an annual turnover surpassing £650 million, Mott MacDonald Bentley cements its position as a leader within the industry. The sustained, robust business performance creates an ideal environment for career growth.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of water and wastewater non-infrastructure projects in the Thames Valley region. This is a highly visible senior leadership role with end-to-end accountability for project outcomes, including safety, programme, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Our work with Thames Water involves us delivering across three frameworks through AMP8. We will be involved in delivering projects across the water and wastewater non-infrastructure and infrastructure projects to improve the network. You will operate as a client-facing leader, setting delivery standards, driving performance, and shaping outcomes across a complex, multi-disciplinary supply chain. Alongside delivering these key projects you will support the wider framework as required.
This position suits an individual with a strong background in major civil engineering and regulated infrastructure environments, comfortable operating at the interface of client, designer, contractor, and supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
- Project & Programme Leadership
- Provide full lifecycle hands on and visible leadership from concept and design through construction, commissioning, and handover.
- Lead the delivery of a complex, multi-workstream infrastructure project within a highly regulated environment.
- Establish and maintain robust project governance, ensuring compliance with framework, client, and regulatory requirements.
- Act as the senior point of escalation for all project performance matters.
- Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (SHEQ)
- Take clear ownership of SHEQ performance, promoting a proactive, values-led safety culture across the project and supply chain.
- Ensure all works are delivered in full compliance with statutory obligations, company standards, and client requirements.
- Lead by example through visible safety leadership on site and in project forums.
- Commercial & Risk Management
- Own the commercial strategy for the project, working closely with commercial and planning teams to maintain cost certainty and predictability.
- In conjunction with the commercial team manage procurement strategies, contract administration, change control, and forecasting in line with framework agreements (e.g. NEC).
- Lead the identification, mitigation, and management of project risks and opportunities.
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with the client, regulators, key stakeholders, and internal leadership.
- Represent the programme at client, governance, and assurance meetings.
- Ensure effective stakeholder engagement, including coordination with operational teams and third parties.
- Leadership & People
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary project team.
- Set clear expectations and standards of accountability, performance, and behaviour.
- Foster collaboration across design, construction, commercial, and supply chain partners.
- Support succession planning and the development of future project leaders within the framework.
- Performance, Reporting & Assurance
- Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent reporting of project(s) performance (cost, value, programme, schedule, risk, and delivery confidence).
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation in delivery methods, digital tools, and processes.
- Contribute to framework-level performance reviews and lessons learned.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
- Essential
- Civil Engineering qualified or a related engineering or construction discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Significant experience operating at Senior Project Manager level on complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.
- Proven track record delivering major civil engineering or water sector programmes valued at £25 million plus/annum.
- Strong understanding of regulated infrastructure delivery, ideally within the UK water sector and AMP frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience leading large, integrated teams and Tier 1 supply chains.
- Strong commercial acumen, with hands-on experience of NEC contracts, change control, and cost management.
- Excellent communication skills with the credibility to operate at senior client and internal level.
- Desirable
- Chartered Engineer (CEng), Member of ICE or similar professional body.
- Formal project management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
- Experience delivering complex WwTW or heavy civils treatment assets.
- Experience operating within long-term framework or alliance environments.
Behaviours & Leadership Approach
- Visible, accountable, and inclusive senior leader.
- Calm and decisive under pressure, with the ability to manage ambiguity and complexity.
- Challenges constructively and encourages high standards of performance.
- Resilient, adaptable, and solutions focused.
- Committed to developing people and leaving a positive leadership legacy.
Senior Project Manager in Aylesbury employer: J N Bentley Ltd
J N Bentley Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises safety and employee development. Located in Poole, the company provides competitive pay, generous holiday allowances, and a robust pension scheme, ensuring that employees are well-supported both professionally and personally. With a strong focus on progression opportunities within the water industry, this role promises meaningful and rewarding employment for those looking to advance their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager in Aylesbury
✨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 J N Bentley Ltd, 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 Senior Project Manager at J N Bentley Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager in Aylesbury
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 J N Bentley Ltd
✨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!
