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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major highways projects and enhance consultancy's presence in the North West.
- Company: Dynamic infrastructure consultancy with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Excellent salary, car allowance, performance bonus, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role in transforming national highways schemes and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Senior project management experience in major highways programmes, ideally with National Highways.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and well-capitalised environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A leading independent infrastructure consultancy is making a strategic investment in its North West Project Management team. With a strong secured pipeline and clear plans to scale from circa 65 to over 100 professionals, the business is seeking an Associate Director level Project Manager with deep strategic highways expertise to strengthen its position on nationally significant road programmes across the region. This is not a replacement hire. It is a deliberate growth appointment aligned to major strategic transport investment in the North West.
The opportunity
You will play a pivotal role in expanding the consultancy’s presence across major National Highways schemes in the region, including high-profile trans-Pennine and trunk road infrastructure programmes moving from Development Consent into delivery. The team is engaged across strategic road network workstreams and is seeking a senior leader who can:
- Contribute to delivery of complex highways schemes of national scale
- Strengthen relationships within National Highways and its delivery partners
- Provide senior-level programme governance, assurance and strategic oversight
- Support the securement of further packages on live and emerging major schemes
This role combines technical credibility with commercial influence. It will suit someone who understands how large highways programmes are structured, funded and governed within the UK public sector framework, and who can operate confidently at programme level.
About you
We are particularly interested in Project Managers who have operated at senior level on major highways programmes, ideally within or closely aligned to National Highways. You may currently be:
- An Associate Director or Senior Project Leader within a consultancy
- Operating in a client-side or programme advisory capacity
- Embedded within a Tier 1 partner on a nationally significant road scheme
Critical experience includes:
- Delivery involvement on major UK highways or trunk road projects
- Direct exposure to National Highways governance and approval processes
- Strong understanding of DCO-led schemes and Road Investment Strategy controls
- Ability to engage credibly with senior client stakeholders
- Commercial awareness with exposure to work-winning or framework growth
Chartered status (MAPM, MRICS, CEng or equivalent) is highly desirable.
Why this role
With nationally significant highways schemes in the North West transitioning from approval into full execution, this appointment is intended to strengthen programme-level capability and enhance the team’s positioning on complex, multi-package corridor upgrades. The business has established a strong regional PM platform and is now seeking an Associate Director who brings direct experience of large-scale National Highways programmes, particularly those involving complex governance structures and long-linear infrastructure delivery. For a highways professional who understands how these schemes move from consent into execution, this represents a visible and growth-aligned leadership opportunity within an ambitious and well-capitalised consultancy environment.
For more information and a confidential conversation about the role, please apply now by submitting your CV or contact Dean Forster at Tempest Jones on dean@tempestjones.com.
Associate Director - Project Management (Strategic Highways) in Manchester employer: Tempest Jones Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Tempest Jones Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Project Management (Strategic Highways) in Manchester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals already working in strategic highways. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with major highways programmes. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to successful projects and how you understand the complexities of National Highways governance.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Understand the consultancy’s current projects and challenges in the North West. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs and how you can help them grow their presence in the region.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and contributing to exciting projects in strategic highways.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Project Management (Strategic Highways) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in strategic highways and project management. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past projects, especially those involving National Highways, to demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As an Associate Director, we want to see your leadership capabilities. Highlight any experience you've had in managing teams or leading complex projects, particularly in the highways sector.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tempest Jones Recruitment
✨Know Your Highways Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of major highways programmes, especially those related to National Highways. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they align with the consultancy's goals.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
During the interview, highlight your experience in programme governance and strategic oversight. Share examples of how you've successfully managed complex projects and strengthened relationships with stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be ready to talk about your understanding of funding structures and how they impact project delivery. Discuss any experience you have with work-winning strategies or framework growth to show you're not just a technical expert but also commercially savvy.
✨Engage with Confidence
Practice engaging with senior stakeholders in a confident manner. Use role-play scenarios to simulate discussions you might have with clients or partners, ensuring you can articulate your ideas clearly and persuasively.