Associate Project Manager in Manchester

Vertical Recruitment is working with an established and growing construction consultancy in Greater Manchester to appoint an Associate Project Manager to its expanding team.

The business provides project management and construction consultancy services across a varied portfolio of healthcare, education, commercial, residential and public sector projects. Its work includes major refurbishment programmes, estate improvements, building safety and compliance schemes, and technically complex projects within live operational environments.

This is a senior appointment suited to an experienced Project Manager or Senior Project Manager who is ready to take on greater responsibility for client relationships, project delivery and team development.

The successful candidate will take a leading role in managing multiple commissions, working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams while supporting the continued development of the consultancy's Project Management offering.

The Role

As an Associate Project Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing projects from initial feasibility and briefing through to construction, completion and handover.

Alongside project delivery, you will act as a senior point of contact for clients, provide guidance to junior team members and contribute to maintaining and developing long-term client relationships.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and oversee multiple construction projects across all RIBA stages, ensuring successful delivery against programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Act as a senior client contact, managing relationships with estates teams, project stakeholders and external consultants.
• Take responsibility for project planning, procurement strategies, tender processes and contractor appointments.
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, consultants and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee project budgets, programmes, risk registers, change control and progress reporting.
• Manage and administer construction contracts, including JCT and NEC forms.
• Provide strategic advice to clients on project delivery, procurement, risk and programme matters.
• Chair project meetings, manage stakeholder expectations and resolve delivery challenges.
• Support and mentor Project Managers and Assistant Project Managers, providing technical guidance and oversight.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing clients while identifying opportunities for repeat business and new commissions.
• Work closely with the senior management team to support the development and growth of the Project Management function.
• Ensure projects comply with relevant health and safety, building regulations and quality management requirements.

Skills & Experience

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong background in construction Project Management, ideally gained within a consultancy or client-side environment.
• Experience operating at Senior Project Manager level, with the capability to progress into an Associate position.
• A proven track record of independently managing multiple construction projects from inception through to completion.
• Experience delivering refurbishment, capital works, building services upgrades or complex construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of the RIBA Plan of Work, construction procurement and project delivery processes.
• Experience working with JCT and/or NEC contracts.
• Confidence managing senior client relationships and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Commercial awareness, with the ability to manage project risks, budgets and programme requirements.
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior members of a project management team.
• Strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to contribute to client relationship development and identify opportunities for additional work.

Desirable Experience

• Experience delivering projects across healthcare, education, commercial or wider public sector estates.
• Knowledge of building safety, fire remediation and compliance-related projects.
• Experience managing projects within live or occupied environments, including heritage buildings and complex estates.
• Professional membership or chartership through APM, CIOB, RICS or equivalent.
• Experience supporting fee proposals, client development and securing repeat business.

Typical Projects

The consultancy delivers a varied portfolio of projects, which may include:

• Healthcare refurbishment and estate improvement programmes.
• University and education capital works projects.
• Fire safety, building compliance and remediation schemes.
• Commercial refurbishment and workplace improvement projects.
• Building services and infrastructure upgrades.
• Decarbonisation and energy efficiency programmes.
• Residential refurbishment and regeneration projects.
• Projects within live, occupied and operational environments.

Why Apply?

• Associate-level responsibility: Take a senior role in project delivery, client management and team development.
• Varied project portfolio: Work across healthcare, education, commercial and public sector developments.
• Established client relationships: Join a consultancy with an existing portfolio of repeat clients and ongoing commissions.
• Career progression: Opportunity to contribute to the growth of the Project Management function and progress further within the business.
• Collaborative environment: Work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team with direct access to senior leadership.
• Competitive package: Salary and benefits reflective of experience and the responsibilities of the position.

Interested?

For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, the consultancy and the projects involved, please contact Freya.