At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects in the utilities sector, driving digital and organisational change.
- Company: Join a leading consultancy known for transforming strategies into reality.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a chance to work on major transformations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on essential services while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in project delivery, especially in utilities or regulated sectors.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
As the world’s leading change and transformation consultancy and delivery partner, we enable our clients to move from strategy to reality, taking a pragmatic, practical approach to delivering change that lasts.
We’re seeking Senior Project Managers and Project Managers to help our utility clients deliver digital, technology and organisation change across the AMP cycle.
NOTE: This is an initial 3‑6 month contract that will require up to 3 days working on client site in the South of England and may involve extensive travel to other sites.
SUMMARY
You’ll join North Highland’s Energy & Utilities (E&U) practice, working with our UK water utility clients across the South of England delivering their multi‑year transformation and change portfolios, delivered under managed service and consulting frameworks. The sector is delivering the biggest upgrades seen in a century — modernising assets, systems and ways of working to ensure essential water and waste services are provided.
These portfolios are delivered against the backdrop of the AMP 8 regulatory period and include various delivery modes:
- Enterprise Programmes (core platform and technology replacement / modernisation, regulatory‑driven programmes, etc.)
- Digital Delivery (Agile/hybrid programmes transforming customer journeys, operational decision‑making, case management, etc.)
- Operational Change (targeted, “deploy and embed” initiatives affecting frontline populations)
- Operating model change (people, governance, etc.)
The portfolios span all core business units of water utilities — Water, Waste, Engineering, Asset Management, Supply Chains, Operations and Control Centres — as well as enabling functions such as HR, Finance, Commercial and Procurement.
You’ll lead end‑to‑end delivery of discrete projects within these portfolios — for example CRM upgrade, data platform, field mobility rollout, lab data system or cyber uplift.
You’ll strengthen governance and controls, manage risks, issues and dependencies, and keep integrated teams aligned to outcomes, timelines and quality, often operating as a Transformation PM or Digital Project Manager within the client’s delivery model.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own end‑to‑end delivery of discrete projects across IT and business workstreams; develop and maintain plans (waterfall/agile/hybrid) with milestones aligned to AMP and regulatory deadlines.
- Deliver on time, on budget and to functional/quality specifications; track progress, dependencies, RAID and benefits at project level with clear planned‑vs‑actuals reporting.
- Produce weekly/monthly reports aligned to PMO standards; manage project‑level governance including design authority, architecture and cyber approvals, and data governance sign‑off.
- Escalate risks and issues into programme or portfolio forums and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
- Manage System Integrators, SaaS vendors and niche suppliers — Statements of Work, deliverables and acceptance criteria — and control project budgets and change requests in line with financial controls.
- Coordinate with Change, Training and Service teams to prepare go‑live and cutover, support business readiness, and hand over into BAU and IT service management (ITIL).
IDEALLY, WE'D LIKE
- Proven project delivery experience (Agile/Scrum or hybrid), including multi‑stream delivery and leading integrated teams; 5+ years for Project Manager and significant senior‑level delivery for Senior Project Manager.
- Utilities/regulated sector delivery experience strongly preferred (water, power, telecoms, infrastructure), or field‑based and asset‑intensive environments.
- Familiarity with systems in scope: SAP S/4HANA, Salesforce, GIS Utility Network Model, GeoSCADA, EAM (SAP PM, Maximo), workforce management and operational dashboards.
- Strong facilitation, excellent written/verbal communication, and comfort engaging stakeholders from control room operators and field operatives to senior leaders and suppliers.
- Proficiency with common delivery tools (e.g. MS Project, Jira) and strong working knowledge of the MS Office suite.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United Kingdom, without the need for visa sponsorship by North Highland. Work visa sponsorship will not be provided, either now or in the future, for this position.
This is a temporary employee (PAYE) opportunity working via an Umbrella company.
EEO STATEMENT
North Highland is an equal opportunity employer, and we adhere to all applicable laws and regulations to ensure a fair and equitable workplace. All qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We handle all information in accordance local privacy standards and maintain strict confidentiality.
Project Managers (Utilities) employer: North Highland
At North Highland, we pride ourselves on being a leading change and transformation consultancy that empowers our employees to thrive in a dynamic work environment. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer extensive growth opportunities and a collaborative culture that values innovation and teamwork. Located in the South of England, our team works closely with utility clients on impactful projects that modernise essential services, making this an exciting place for Project Managers to contribute to meaningful change while enjoying a supportive workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Managers (Utilities)
✨Get Plugged into Local Energy Events
Dive into energy and utilities-specific events in your area, like community workshops or regional renewable energy fairs. These gatherings are perfect for meeting industry insiders and gaining insights that can boost your chances when you chat with North Highland.
✨Summer Opportunities Await!
Temporary roles in the energy sector often peak during summer or peak project periods. Keep your eyes open for advertised roles on sites like indeed.co.uk, but also consider reaching out directly to companies like North Highland to ask about upcoming opportunities.
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
Craft a brief personal statement about why renewable energy matters to you, and be ready to share it in any interviews or conversations. This can help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the sector, a quality that can be golden for temporary roles.
✨Utilise Job Boards Specific to Energy
Check out job boards that focus on the energy sector, like Energy Jobline or RenewableEnergyJobs. These platforms are tailored to our industry, and you'll find temporary roles that may not be listed elsewhere, bringing you one step closer to landing that role at North Highland.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Managers (Utilities)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Energy Sector Know-How:When you're applying for a temporary role in the energy and utilities sector, it’s crucial to showcase any relevant experience or knowledge you have. Highlight specific projects or coursework that demonstrate your understanding of energy systems, sustainability, or utilities management. This way, we can see you’re not just a candidate – you’re someone who knows the territory!
Certifications Matter!:If you've got any certifications related to energy management or renewable energy techniques, be sure to mention them! These are not just nice-to-haves but can really set you apart from other candidates. We’d love to see that commitment to the field reflected in your application. If you’ve got any safety training relevant to utilities, make it known!
Flexibility is Key for Temporary Roles:In your application, emphasise your availability and willingness to adapt to different roles or shifts. Since this is a temporary position, showing that you can hit the ground running and adjust to the needs of the team will make you a more attractive candidate to North Highland.
Tailor Your CV to Shine:Ditch the one-size-fits-all CV approach! Tailor your CV specifically for the temporary role at North Highland by emphasising skills that align with the job requirements. Be concise, but don’t forget to sprinkle in specific examples related to energy and utilities to make your application stand out. Remember, a well-customised CV speaks volumes!
How to prepare for a job interview at North Highland
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
In the energy-utilities sector, it's key to highlight your commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions. Be ready to share examples of how you've engaged with energy efficiency projects or how you stay updated on industry trends. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely care about making an impact.
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
Temporary roles in energy-utilities often require specific technical knowledge related to energy systems, regulations, and emerging technologies. Make sure you’re familiar with tools like energy management software or simulations. You might get asked technical questions on how to optimise energy use or manage resources efficiently.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary position, the interviewer will likely want to know how quickly you can adapt to new environments and teams. Be prepared to discuss previous experiences where you had to learn on the job or take on new responsibilities swiftly. Highlighting your flexibility will show you're a great fit for short-term projects.
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
In the energy-utilities sector, collaboration is essential. Come armed with examples that illustrate how well you work within a team — whether it’s during a challenging project or a routine operation. Temporary roles often involve stepping into existing teams, so showcasing your ability to integrate smoothly will set you apart.
