At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects in Life Sciences and Manufacturing from start to finish.
- Company: Join a dynamic FM and workplace services client with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and mentoring junior colleagues in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while managing diverse projects and building client relationships.
- Qualifications: Proven project management experience with strong commercial and stakeholder skills.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Southampton / Basingstoke (Hybrid)
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: Up to £75,000 + £5,000 Car Allowance + 20% Bonus
About the Role
We are partnering with an FM and workplace services client to recruit a Senior Project Manager supporting a portfolio of Life Sciences and Manufacturing clients across the South of England. This is a client-facing, commercially focused project management role responsible for identifying and developing project opportunities within existing client accounts, managing projects from concept through to completion, and taking ownership of commercial performance throughout the project lifecycle.
Working across an established client portfolio, you will deliver a range of refurbishment, M&E, infrastructure and workplace improvement projects within laboratory, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and other operational environments. The role offers a blend of project delivery, stakeholder management and commercial responsibility, making it well suited to an experienced project professional from an FM, building services, fit-out, specialist contractor or principal contractor background.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and develop project opportunities within existing client accounts, working closely with operational and account management teams.
- Manage projects from feasibility, scope development and budgeting through to delivery, handover and final account.
- Prepare project cost plans, manage tender processes and procure subcontractors and suppliers.
- Take ownership of project P&L, including forecasting, cost control, variation management and profitability.
- Fulfil Principal Contractor responsibilities where required, ensuring compliance with CDM regulations, health and safety standards and company governance processes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with client stakeholders across the portfolio.
- Manage multiple concurrent projects while ensuring programme, quality and commercial objectives are achieved.
- Oversee subcontractor performance and ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget.
- Produce regular commercial and operational reporting for senior leadership.
- Support account growth by identifying additional project opportunities and developing trusted client relationships.
- Mentor and support junior project management colleagues where required.
Required Skills & Experience
- Proven experience delivering projects from inception through to completion with full commercial ownership.
- Strong experience preparing project cost plans, reviewing subcontractor quotations and managing tender processes.
- P&L management experience, including forecasting, cost control and variation management.
- Experience managing subcontractors, suppliers and external delivery partners.
- Strong understanding of CDM regulations and Principal Contractor responsibilities.
- SMSTS certification.
- Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within a fast-paced environment.
- Strong commercial awareness and a proactive approach to identifying project opportunities.
Senior Project Manager - Life Sciences and Manufacturing in Southampton employer: Sentinel
Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Senior Project Manager in the Life Sciences and Manufacturing sector, where you will thrive in a supportive hybrid work environment in Southampton/Basingstoke. Our company fosters a collaborative culture that prioritises employee growth through mentorship and professional development opportunities, while offering competitive benefits including a generous salary, car allowance, and performance bonuses. With a focus on meaningful projects and strong client relationships, we empower our employees to make a significant impact in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager - Life Sciences and Manufacturing in Southampton
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Sentinel, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Project Manager - Life Sciences and Manufacturing at Sentinel.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager - Life Sciences and Manufacturing in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sentinel
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
