At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead critical rail infrastructure projects, ensuring safe and timely delivery.
- Company: Join a leading Tier 1 infrastructure delivery partner in Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Flexible freelance role with competitive pay and diverse project experience.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace that values equality and supports all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of rail signalling and telecoms.
- Qualifications: Proven rail project management experience and strong commercial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Freelance Project Manager - Rail (Signalling & Telecoms)
Location: Yorkshire
Duration: 6-12 months
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
About the Role:
We are seeking a highly driven, Freelance Project Manager to spearhead the delivery of critical rail infrastructure schemes across the Yorkshire region. Working on behalf of a leading Tier 1 infrastructure delivery partner, you will take full ownership of complex, fast-paced asset upgrades, ensuring packages are executed safely, on time, and within strict budgetary boundaries. This role demands a sharp, delivery-focused professional who couples deep technical deployment knowledge with exceptional commercial strength. You will be a forward-thinking leader who is highly focused on risk mitigation, opportunity maximisation, and driving program efficiencies from day one.
Candidate Responsibilities:
- Project Delivery: Lead the planning, safe execution, and commissioning of dedicated Signalling and Telecommunications (S&T) engineering packages.
- Commercial & Financial Control: Maintain a strong commercial grip on project budgets, change management, and cost-to-complete forecasting. Proactively manage contract mechanisms to safeguard project margins.
- Risk & Opportunity Management: Actively identify, mitigate, and manage project risks while aggressively capitalising on commercial and operational opportunities to improve delivery.
- Programme Interrogation: Regularly review, interpret, and challenge the project schedule/programme, ensuring critical path milestones are met and resources are optimised.
- Site & Scope Management: Coordinate multidisciplinary site teams, engineering functions, and sub-contractors to ensure seamless delivery, possession execution, and blockade management.
- Stakeholder Management: Serve as a key point of contact for Network Rail asset owners, client representatives, and internal senior leadership, ensuring clear transparency on physical progress, timelines, and financial performance.
Candidate Requirements:
- Rail Project Management: Proven track record of delivering UK rail infrastructure schemes as a Project Manager within a Tier 1 contractor environment.
- S&T Expertise: Direct, hands-on experience managing the execution of complex Signalling and/or Rail Telecommunications systems.
- Commercial & Risk Focus: Highly competent commercially-adept at contract administration (NEC3/4), managing variations, mitigating scope creep, and demonstrating a strong risk and opportunity-focused mindset.
- Programme Literacy: Ability to confidently read, analyse, and interrogate a project programme (e.g., Primavera P6) to steer delivery and anticipate bottlenecks.
- Industry Governance: A thorough understanding of Network Rail standards and governance frameworks (e.g., PACE / GRIP processes).
- Civils Experience: Prior experience overseeing associated rail civils works (e.g., route works, foundations, or structural installations linked to S&T deployment) is highly advantageous.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Project Manager - Rail Signalling &Telecoms in England employer: Randstad Construction & Property
As a leading Tier 1 infrastructure delivery partner, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that prioritises safety, innovation, and collaboration. Our Yorkshire location offers a unique opportunity to engage in impactful rail projects while benefiting from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and empowers you to drive significant advancements in rail signalling and telecoms.
Contact Details:
Randstad Construction & Property Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Rail Signalling &Telecoms in England
✨Join Local Construction Groups
Tap into local construction communities and forums—think Facebook groups, Meetup, or even LinkedIn. These platforms often have job postings specifically for freelancers and can connect you with potential clients who are looking for your skills.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a public portfolio showcasing your previous projects. This could be through a personal website or platforms like Behance. Potential clients want to see what you can do, so let your best work do the talking!
✨Network at Construction Events
Get out there and attend construction trade shows and local networking events. These are great for making connections and can often lead directly to freelance opportunities, plus you get to meet people who share your passion for the industry.
✨Utilise Online Freelance Platforms
Don't forget to get on freelance job platforms like Upwork and Freelancer that cater to construction gigs. Build your profile there and start bidding on projects. It’s a solid way to get the ball rolling on your freelance journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Rail Signalling &Telecoms in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Craft:In the construction field, it's all about your hands-on experience and the projects you've worked on. Make sure to include detailed descriptions of past projects in your CV or portfolio. Highlight specific skills, tools, and techniques you’ve mastered that are relevant to the work you're applying for at Randstad Construction & Property.
Provide a Portfolio:As this is a freelance role, having a solid portfolio is key! Include photos and descriptions of your previous work so potential clients can see what you bring to the table. Showcasing a variety of projects can really help demonstrate your versatility in the construction industry.
Clarify Your Availability and Rates:Freelancing is all about communication, so be clear about your availability and rates in your application. Let Randstad Construction & Property know when you can start and what your pricing structure looks like. This helps set the right expectations and shows you’re professional and organised.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:In construction, having the right certifications can set you apart. Mention any industry-relevant qualifications you have, such as health and safety certifications or trade-specific licenses. This not only bolsters your CV but also shows you've got the expertise to get the job done safely and effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad Construction & Property
✨Showcase Your Project Portfolio
For a freelance role in construction, we should prepare a strong portfolio demonstrating our previous work. Highlight completed projects, showcasing not just the end result but also the problem-solving skills and tools we used during construction. This visual evidence can really set us apart!
✨Know Your Tools and Techniques
Understanding the latest construction tools and techniques is essential for standing out. Familiarise ourselves with current methodologies and any new software that's relevant to the industry. If we can discuss how we've used these tools in previous projects, it’ll show that we’re on the ball and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
During the interview, we might face practical questions related to site management or problem-solving on the job. Be ready to discuss specific challenges we've faced in past projects and how we overcame them. This will demonstrate our ability to think on our feet and handle the real-world pressures of the construction field.
✨Pitch Your Rates and Work Style
As freelancers, we need to be clear about our rates and working style. Be prepared to discuss our pricing strategy based on past projects. This is not just about the numbers but conveying the value we bring to potential clients like Randstad Construction & Property. Confidence in our worth can go a long way in these discussions!
