Senior Project Manager in Poole

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of a flagship £200m+ wastewater infrastructure programme within a long-term Tier 1 capital delivery framework in the water sector. This is a highly visible senior leadership role with end‑to‑end accountability for project outcomes, including safety, programme, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. The role has primary responsibility for a major Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) upgrade programme at Poole while also providing leadership and support across the wider framework portfolio as required. You will operate as a client‑facing leader, setting delivery standards, driving performance, and shaping outcomes across a complex, multi‑disciplinary supply chain. 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.

Essential Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

• 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.
• Civil Engineering Contractor Experience.
• Proven track record delivering major civil engineering or water sector programmes valued at £25m+ per 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.

What’s In It For You: Alongside our significant training and development investment and bespoke progression plan, as an employee owned company, we offer a wide range of financial, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits that you can tailor to your needs. To view our full range of benefits, please see the Bentley Benefits brochure attached.