Senior Mechanical Project Manager - New Build Prison

• Senior Project Manager
• Freelance: £500 per day + staying away costs
• Staying-away support available for the right person

This is a role for a Senior Project Manager who knows how to deliver complex M&E works in a controlled, security-led environment.

You will be working on a major new build Category B prison in Leicestershire, located near the existing HMP Gartree in the Market Harborough area.

The wider scheme is a 1,700-place prison currently under construction, with completion targeted for 2029.

The project is not a standard commercial build.

It is a large, high-security custodial environment with education spaces, vocational workshops, training areas, modern prison technology and heavily controlled building services requirements.

The M&E package will need someone who can manage programme, subcontractors, procurement, commercial control, technical submissions, logistics, commissioning and handover with proper discipline.

The role can suit someone local to Leicester / Leicestershire, or someone open to staying away during the week.

The client will consider both permanent and freelance options depending on the individual.

• What you'll be doing
• You will take senior responsibility for the delivery of M&E works across a major new build prison project.
• You will manage the project team, subcontractors, suppliers and site delivery resource to make sure works are delivered safely, on programme and to the required standard.
• You will oversee mechanical and electrical packages across plantrooms, pipework, ventilation, heating, cooling, domestic services, public health, LV distribution, containment, lighting, fire alarm, security interfaces, BMS, life safety systems and associated building services.
• You will manage works around a secure custodial construction environment, including controlled access, permits, escorts, site logistics, security protocols, phased works, temporary services and stakeholder requirements.
• You will work closely with the client, main contractor, consultants, prison stakeholders, commercial team, design team, site managers, supervisors, engineers, commissioning team and supply chain.
• You will manage programme, procurement, labour, subcontractors, RAMS, technical submissions, RFIs, variations, progress reporting, QA, commissioning and handover documentation.
• You will make sure M&E works are properly coordinated with CSA, security systems, fire strategy, temporary works, logistics, access routes, offsite-manufactured elements and operational requirements.
• You will keep control of commercial performance, including cost, variations, forecasting, subcontractor accounts, applications and project risk.
• You will chair and attend project meetings, report progress clearly and make sure issues are escalated before they affect programme, quality or cost.
• You will drive the project through installation, testing, commissioning, snagging, client inspections, O&M completion and final handover.
• What you'll need
• You will need experience as a Senior Project Manager, M&E Project Manager, Building Services Project Manager, Contracts Manager or mechanically/electrically biased Project Manager.
• You should have strong M&E building services experience, ideally gained with an M&E contractor, principal contractor, mechanical contractor or electrical contractor.
• Experience on prisons, custodial environments, MOD, healthcare, education, public sector, infrastructure, secure environments or large new build projects would be highly relevant.
• Prison experience would be ideal, but it is not essential if you have delivered complex M&E works in controlled, high-security or stakeholder-heavy environments.
• You will need a good understanding of M&E project delivery, including programme, procurement, technical submissions, RFIs, RAMS, QA, commissioning, handover and commercial control.
• You should be confident managing site teams, subcontractors, supervisors, engineers and supply chain partners across a fast-moving major project.
• You will need strong client-facing skills and the ability to deal with consultants, main contractors, secure environment stakeholders and internal leadership.
• You should be comfortable working around security restrictions, phased access, permits, temporary works, live interfaces, offsite-manufactured components and tight logistics.
• SMSTS, CSCS and First Aid would be expected.
• A mechanical or electrical trade background, HNC / HND, building services qualification or project management qualification would be beneficial.
• Why this role

This is a strong opportunity for a Senior Project Manager who wants a serious project with real scale and complexity.

You will not be managing a simple fit-out or small works package.

You will be taking ownership of M&E delivery on a major new build prison, where coordination, planning, security, programme, quality and stakeholder management all matter.

The wider scheme includes modern cell technology, education facilities, vocational workshops and training areas, so the building services package will sit within a technically detailed, highly controlled environment.

For someone with strong M&E project delivery experience who wants to add secure environment / custodial project experience to their CV, this is a strong move.

The client will consider local candidates as well as people open to staying away, and will look at both permanent and freelance routes depending on experience.

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