Senior Project Manager

Be First is the urban regeneration company for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, established to accelerate growth, investment and opportunity across one of London’s most ambitious boroughs. Working at the forefront of regeneration, development and capital delivery, Be First is transforming communities through the delivery of new homes, improved public infrastructure, schools, civic buildings and high-quality public spaces. With a strong focus on creating sustainable places and delivering lasting social value, Be First works closely with Barking and Dagenham Council, development partners, contractors and local communities to deliver projects that make a real difference to residents and businesses.

The Senior Project Manager will play a key role in leading the delivery of Be First’s new build housing and regeneration programme, managing projects from inception through to completion and handover. Acting as client-side project lead, you will be responsible for driving the successful delivery of development projects, ensuring they meet programme, budget, quality, sustainability and design objectives. Working closely with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, the Council and local communities, you will oversee all stages of the project lifecycle while ensuring compliance with governance, procurement and financial requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced project management professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced development environment and wants to make a meaningful impact through the delivery of high-quality regeneration and housing projects.

• Lead the delivery of new build residential and regeneration projects from inception to completion.
• Act as client-side project manager across a portfolio of development schemes.
• Work closely with the Council to develop project briefs and secure business case approvals.
• Procure and manage multidisciplinary consultant teams in accordance with procurement regulations and best practice.
• Manage project programmes, budgets, risks and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive project delivery through effective management of consultants, contractors and stakeholders.
• Establish project milestones and monitor performance against programme objectives.
• Lead project governance processes and ensure compliance with Be First’s gateway approval procedures.
• Oversee financial appraisals, budget management and expenditure monitoring.
• Review and authorise consultant and contractor payments in accordance with financial procedures.
• Manage stakeholder engagement activities, including consultation with local communities and residents.
• Ensure projects support Be First’s sustainability objectives and contribute to the Council’s carbon neutrality targets.
• Mentor and support junior members of the Development Delivery Team.
• Lead project reporting to senior management and Council stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve value for money and generate additional income where appropriate.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience delivering residential development, regeneration or major property projects.
• Demonstrable experience managing both small and large-scale development projects from inception through to completion.
• Strong understanding of the development process and property development lifecycle.
• Experience undertaking financial appraisals and managing project budgets.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of development viability.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.
• Experience managing consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build productive relationships across public and private sector organisations.
• Experience leading community consultation and engagement activities on complex development projects.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and the confidence to make decisions within a complex environment.
• The ability to motivate, mentor and support colleagues and project teams.

This is a unique opportunity to join one of London’s leading regeneration organisations and contribute to projects that are creating new homes, jobs and opportunities for local communities. You will have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of regeneration and housing projects, collaborating with experienced professionals across the public and private sectors while helping to shape the future of Barking and Dagenham.