At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a £300m+ education portfolio, ensuring top-notch project delivery.
- Company: Join AtkinsRéalis, a key partner in transforming education through innovative projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, flexible working, and tailored health and wellbeing benefits.
- Other info: Embrace a hybrid work culture with excellent training and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management within the built environment and strong client-facing skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A senior technical advisory role shaping a £300m+ education portfolio. AtkinsRéalis is a key partner on the Department for Education’s Technical Advisory Services 2025 framework, supporting delivery of a national programme exceeding 100 school projects. In the North West, our portfolio of 12 live school replacement projects (growing to 15–18) requires a senior leader to provide technical direction, commercial oversight, and client assurance. This Associate Director role offers the opportunity to play a key part in delivering a nationally important education programme while operating at an Associate Director level with influence across a regional landscape.
Responsibilities
- Technical & Delivery Leadership
- Act as regional technical advisor lead across all NW DfE projects, ensuring alignment with framework and national delivery standards.
- Provide assurance across project lifecycle including governance, risk, and delivery strategies.
- Lead gateway reviews and portfolio‑level performance improvements.
- Direct and influence project teams (without line management) to ensure consistent, best‑in‑class delivery.
- Framework Integration
- Ensure seamless integration with the national delivery team.
- Apply in‑depth knowledge of the DfE Technical Advisory Services 2025 framework.
- Drive consistency in process, reporting, and delivery approach across all projects.
- Commercial & Financial Management
- Provide oversight of project finances across the portfolio.
- Ensure robust management of fees, scope, and variations.
- Support delivery of 90% utilisation targets and commercial performance.
- Maintain accurate monthly reporting aligned to the business operating cycle.
- Contribute to the national P&L through disciplined financial management.
- Client Leadership
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders.
- Build strong relationships with regional DfE leadership.
- Enhance AtkinsRéalis’ reputation as a strategic partner within the framework.
Qualifications
- Essential
- Proven experience in project or programme management within the built environment.
- Strong background in public sector and education projects.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the DfE Technical Advisory Services framework.
- Experience operating at portfolio or multi‑project level.
- Strong commercial awareness, including fee, scope, and variation management.
- Experience delivering robust reporting into business P&L cycles.
- Highly effective client‑facing and stakeholder management skills.
- Chartered status (APM, RICS, or equivalent).
- Desirable
- Experience working on national frameworks or large‑scale programmes.
- JCT contract experience.
Security Clearance
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.
Benefits
You will enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards, and a range of benefits tailored to health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Training and professional development opportunities are available, and a hybrid working culture with flexible holiday allowances supports a balance between work and personal life.
EEO and Inclusive Employment
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. We are a Disability Confident Leader and are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria.
Associare Director - Project Management in Manchester employer: SNC-Lavalin
AtkinsRéalis is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead significant education projects within the North West. With a strong commitment to employee growth through tailored training and professional development, alongside a hybrid working culture that promotes work-life balance, we ensure our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Our inclusive work environment values diversity and fosters collaboration, making it a rewarding place to contribute to nationally important initiatives in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associare Director - Project Management in Manchester
✨Join Construction Networks
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We think you need these skills to ace Associare Director - Project Management in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
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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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at SNC-Lavalin
✨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.
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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
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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!
