Project Portfolio Manager (Permanent) in London

Sygna is a fully independent, international leader in commissioning and technical project management. We specialise in delivering high-performance building solutions for data centres, commercial offices, gigafactories, pharmaceutical laboratories, and historic buildings. From project inception and commissioning to post-occupancy evaluation, we certify building services and technology systems, ensuring your design is delivered accurately, efficiently, and reliably.

December 2023 marked a significant milestone with the EMEA senior management team successfully completing a management buy-out (MBO) of Sygna (EMEA). Under the full ownership of our senior leadership team, we are committed to expanding our client relationships, delivering best-in-class commissioning services, and driving innovation in technical project management across global markets.

The Programme Manager (Scheduler) will be responsible for the development, management, and governance of project programmes across the business, with a primary focus on Commissioning Management (CxM)–led projects within the Data Centre division. Reporting to the Divisional Director, Major Projects - EMEA, the role will typically hold primary programme ownership for 1–2 live projects while also providing prioritised programme and scheduling support to the wider business as required.

This role plays a critical part in enabling successful project delivery by ensuring commissioning, construction, and client milestones are accurately planned, integrated, and communicated.

• Owns and manages integrated project programmes for assigned projects, ensuring alignment between commissioning, construction, and client deliverables.
• Works closely with Project Commissioning Managers, Project Managers, contractors, and internal stakeholders to manage dependencies, sequencing, and programme risks.
• Provides structured and prioritised programme and scheduling support across the wider business where required, without diluting primary project ownership.
• Take primary programme and scheduling ownership for 1–2 live projects at any one time, predominantly within the Data Centre / CxM portfolio.
• Develop, maintain, and control detailed, integrated project programmes, aligned to commissioning, construction, and client milestones.
• Act as the programme lead for assigned projects, working closely with Project Commissioning Managers and Project Managers.
• Support short-term or advisory scheduling requests across other projects where capacity allows.
• Review, challenge, and integrate contractor and stakeholder programmes into overarching project schedules.
• Identify programme risks, clashes, and critical path impacts, proposing mitigation and recovery strategies.
• Support bid and pre-construction activities by developing high-level programmes, phase plans, and commissioning sequencing.
• Ensure commissioning activities (Levels 1–5, IST, client training, and handover) are realistically programmed and resourced.
• Report directly to the Divisional Director, Major Projects - EMEA, supporting strategic planning and informed decision-making.

Proven experience in a Programme Manager, Planner, or Scheduler role within construction, MEP, or mission-critical environments. Experience working on data centre or other high-functioning / mission-critical projects. Strong understanding of Commissioning Management (CxM) and its interaction with construction and project delivery. Demonstrated experience owning and managing programmes for individual projects. Ability to review, challenge, and integrate complex contractor programmes. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Ability to balance deep project focus with short-term portfolio support when required. Experience supporting bid-stage programming or tender submissions is advantageous. Degree or equivalent experience in construction, engineering, or project controls.

Competitive Salaries ~ Pension contributions ~ Private healthcare ~ Business travel insurance ~ 25 days annual leave each calendar year (pro-rated from start date) plus bank holidays. Buy or Sell Annual Leave Scheme ~ Training and development opportunities ~ Exclusive discounts on a wide range of products and services, including gift cards from brands like Argos, B&Q, Costa, M&S, and Sainsbury's. ~ Referral Scheme ~ Cycle to Work Scheme ~ Interest Free Travel Loan.

The general responsibilities listed herein above are not exhaustive and as such additional duties, which are related to this position in the Company, may be added to the above list at the discretion of the EMEA Managing Director as and when it is deemed necessary. Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only.