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- Tasks: Lead a groundbreaking lithium refinery project, ensuring tight budget and schedule control.
- Company: Join Tees Valley Lithium, pioneering the UK's first large-scale lithium hydroxide refinery.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, growth opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's energy future while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Project Management; experience in industrial projects is essential.
- Other info: This role requires hands-on involvement and a proactive approach to project delivery.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Darlington, UK
Contract Type: Full-Time
Start Date: ASAP
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Project Background & About TVL
Tees Valley Lithium (TVL) is developing the UK’s first large-scale, merchant lithium hydroxide refinery — a critical component of Europe’s electric vehicle and battery storage supply chain. Located in Teesside within the UK Freeport zone, our project is strategically positioned to serve OEMs and cathode producers across Europe. We are advancing through our Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study and preparing for Final Investment Decision (FID). With a CAPEX of ~$250 million and projected revenues of ~$150 million per annum, this is a strategically important but tightly scoped project — where accuracy and discipline matter.
Role Overview
This is not a role for someone who delegates everything. We are looking for a practical, sleeves-rolled-up Project Manager who can personally oversee delivery of a complex industrial project while maintaining tight capital and operating cost control. You will coordinate engineers, vendors, and advisors while managing the schedule, controlling risk, and ensuring full integration of health, safety, and sustainability standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Full project ownership of scope, budget, schedule, and delivery across engineering, procurement, permitting, and early works
- Lead the cost discipline: track, challenge, and control every line item
- Personally manage key project inputs and outputs — not just oversee them
- Maintain the project schedule with real-time updates and milestone tracking
- Champion a proactive, visible approach to health, safety, and environmental performance
- Coordinate external contractors and consultants — but stay personally engaged in delivery
- Report progress, risks, and cost status weekly to the CEO and Board in a clear and actionable format
- Ensure sustainability principles are embedded in design, procurement, and construction readiness
Candidate Profile
Essential:
- Proven track record in delivering infrastructure, industrial, or chemical projects.
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and cost control with extreme attention to detail.
- Experience managing FEED studies and preparing projects for FID and construction.
- Strong understanding of engineering, procurement, and permitting workflows.
- Proficient in project management software and cost control tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Excel).
- Degree-qualified in Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline.
Desirable:
- PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certification.
- Experience with lithium, chemical, or battery materials projects.
- Familiarity with UK environmental regulations and sustainability reporting frameworks.
What We’re Looking For
- A doer who thrives on responsibility and ownership.
- A cost-control champion who watches every detail.
- A structured operator who brings clarity, process, and results.
- A calm communicator under pressure and uncertainty.
- A mission-aligned leader proud to build a critical asset for the UK’s energy future.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of delivering the UK’s flagship lithium refinery — first-of-its-kind.
- Join a dynamic, ambitious, and supportive leadership team.
- Work on a high-impact project with visibility across industry and government.
- Competitive compensation with significant opportunity for growth and advancement.
Contact Detail:
Tees Valley Lithium Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager (Darlington)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the lithium industry and current trends in electric vehicle supply chains. Understanding the specific challenges and opportunities in this sector will help you stand out during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the project management and lithium sectors. Attend relevant industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the expectations for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of project management software like MS Project and Primavera. Being able to demonstrate proficiency in these tools can give you an edge in managing complex projects effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with cost control and budget management in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed large-scale projects within tight financial constraints.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager (Darlington)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in managing infrastructure or industrial projects. Emphasise your track record in budget management and cost control, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the lithium industry and your understanding of the project's significance. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar projects and your approach to cost discipline.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your proficiency in project management software and tools like MS Project or Primavera. Include any certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 that demonstrate your qualifications for the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Describe your hands-on approach to project management and how you engage with teams and stakeholders. Provide examples of how you've maintained health, safety, and sustainability standards in past projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tees Valley Lithium Ltd
✨Know Your Project Management Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your project management principles, especially around cost control and budget management. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed large-scale projects, particularly in the infrastructure or chemical sectors.
✨Demonstrate Your Hands-On Approach
This role requires a practical mindset, so be prepared to share instances where you rolled up your sleeves and got involved in the nitty-gritty of project delivery. Highlight how your direct involvement led to successful outcomes and how you maintained oversight without relying heavily on consultants.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with the specifics of lithium refinery projects and the associated engineering, procurement, and permitting workflows. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these areas will demonstrate your suitability for the role and your commitment to the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risks. Prepare scenarios where you had to make tough decisions under pressure, particularly related to budget overruns or project delays, and explain how you navigated those challenges.
