At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major clean water infrastructure project worth over £500m.
- Company: Join South East Water, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks holiday, flexible leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and NEC Project Manager Accreditation required.
Are you an experienced Senior Project Manager ready to head a major flagship water infrastructure project? Do you have the expertise to manage a £500m+ portfolio across complex PPP/PFI frameworks and NEC contracts? We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to take ownership of a major workstream within a landmark clean water infrastructure scheme, encompassing a new reservoir, water treatment works, pipelines, and pumping stations. Reporting directly to the Head of Major Projects, you will be fully accountable for driving safe, on-time, and on-budget delivery across a portfolio valued at approximately £500m.
This role demands strong commercial and contractual acumen - specifically in administering NEC contracts and navigating PPP/PFI finance structures - alongside technical assurance skills to oversee planning, resourcing, and quality from concept to completion. In addition to day-to-day contract governance and technical oversight, you will act as the principal lead for complex risk management and high-level stakeholder engagement. You will align multi-disciplinary engineering teams, contractor partners, and regulatory bodies to ensure rigorous quality standards, clear resource forecasting, and smooth operational integration at every stage of the project lifecycle.
Main Responsibilities:
- Project Leadership & Delivery: Direct the entire project lifecycle (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure) of a multi-faceted clean water infrastructure program. This encompasses defining the comprehensive project scope, developing and maintaining robust integrated schedules, rigorously tracking and reporting on progress, financial performance, risks, and critical issues to the executive management team.
- Stakeholder Management & Governance: Effectively liaise with a wide range of critical internal and external stakeholders (e.g., regulatory bodies, key contractors, customers, and local authorities). Lead multi-disciplinary delivery teams, provide unwavering assurance for the gated regulatory submission process, and secure corporate approval for all project business cases.
- Expert NEC Contract Management: Lead the administration and strategic governance of contracts (primarily from the NEC4 suite of contracts). This involves proactively managing all contractual obligations, including the submission and resolution of Compensation Events, Early Warnings, programme submissions, and final account negotiation to ensure rigorous compliance.
- Risk, Quality, and Safety: Proactively identify, assess, and strategically mitigate project risks (including ownership of the Early Warning process). Ensure all deliverables meet stringent technical and quality specifications, and champion a non-negotiable Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) culture in full compliance with regulations such as CDM 2015.
You will need:
- A degree in a relevant field (e.g., Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Construction/Project Management) or equivalent demonstrable practical experience.
- NEC3 or NEC4 Project Manager Accreditation (ECC) OR extensive, hands-on experience successfully managing multiple projects as a Project Manager under NEC3/NEC4 ECC conditions.
- Professional Project Management qualification (e.g., APM PMQ/PPQ, PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner) and/or Chartered Status (e.g., ICE, IMechE).
- A demonstrable history of successfully delivering large infrastructure projects on time and within budget.
- A strong understanding and commitment to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations, with an in-depth practical understanding of CDM 2015.
- Strong skills in planning, organising, and executing tasks efficiently using tools like MS Project to meet strict deadlines.
- Proficiency in budget management, cost control, and financial forecasting for a £500m CAPEX/OPEX project.
- Proficient in identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks and proactively seeking project opportunities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, coupled with the ability to lead, motivate, and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and sound engineering judgment to implement effective solutions under pressure.
- Extensive experience managing infrastructure or Major projects, preferably within the water industry, utilities, civil engineering, or construction sectors.
- Prior working experience as a Project Engineer or in a water distribution/similar industrial environment is highly desirable.
Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities. The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.
Grow a career with a meaningful purpose. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.
Benefits package: Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution. 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service. Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave. Paid volunteering days. Cycle to work scheme. Health cash plan. Life assurance. Wellbeing related benefits.
What can you expect from your recruitment? To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our careers website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, apply now!
South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.
Compensation package: Up to £90,000 p.a. dependent on experience. Plus car allowance.
Senior Project Manager in Snodland employer: South East Water
At South East Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values diversity and inclusion, fostering a work culture where creativity thrives. As a Delivery Plan Lead, you will benefit from a comprehensive package including a generous pension scheme, flexible holiday options, and opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to meaningful projects that impact our communities. Join us in a role that not only challenges you but also allows you to make a real difference in the water sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager in Snodland
✨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 South East Water, 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 at South East Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager in Snodland
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 South East Water
✨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!
