Assistant Project Manager

South East Water; Snodland; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension (up to 10% employer)

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays

Flexible annual leave

Volunteer days

Cycle to work

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking an Assistant Project Manager to drive technical projects from concept through handover. You’ll work with the Project Manager, coordinating contractors, engineers and internal teams to keep delivery on track and aligned to CDM 2015 and QA standards.

You will manage site visits, budgets, and documentation, while using CDEs and PM software to keep accurate records and reports. A background in water utilities is advantageous.

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or engineering degree.
• APM/PRINCE2 or equivalent PM qualification.
• Chartered status or working towards Chartership.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to review scopes and drawings.
• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 regulations and QA processes.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and contractor relations.
• Proficiency with PM software, CDE, and project data management.
• Ability to prepare estimates, track progress, and report on budgets.
• Excellent communication across stakeholders and teams.
• Experience in water distribution or utility environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare estimates and invoices; track project progress.
• Report project progress to the Project Manager across lifecycle.
• Research project information to support delivery.
• Update schedules, budgets and spend reporting.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to meet goals.
• Support scope checks to ensure outputs and QA standards.
• Coordinate technical solutions and compile job packs.
• Liaise with internal/external stakeholders for approvals.
• Undertake site visits, audits and project meetings.
• Assist PMs with delivery dates, programme and cost analysis.
• Maintain thorough project documentation and update processes.

Skills

Engineering degree

APM/PRINCE2

Chartered status

CDM 2015

NEC contracts

PM software

CDE

Budgeting

Stakeholder comms

Site visits

Education

HNC/HND or Eng degree

Tools

Common Data Environments (CDE)

PM software

Job description

Summary

As our Assistant Project Manager, you will drive technical projects from initial concept straight through to final handover. Working side-by-side with the Project Manager, you will plan, execute, and deliver smart solutions, serving as the central link between contractors, technical experts, and internal teams to keep expectations aligned and communication seamless. You will own the operational details that keep projects on track, from setting up site visits and managing budgets to keeping digital databases and documentation perfectly organised. Crucially, you will champion delivery standards by ensuring all work complies with CDM2015 regulations, aligns with company engineering specifications, and meets our strict quality assurance procedures. If you are a proactive problem-solver with a strong grasp of technical compliance and a passion for turning blueprints into reality, you will thrive in this role.

Main Responsibilities

• Performing administrative tasks as required, including preparing estimates and invoices and keeping track of the project's progress, usually with the help of specific software and technical experts.
• Reporting to the project manager on the project's progress through the project lifecycle.
• Supporting team members by researching project information.
• Updating and reporting on the project's schedule progress, budget, and spending.
• Collaborating with stakeholders about their needs and goals for the project.
• Support the Check and Review of project scopes ensuring they achieve the required outputs and quality standards.
• Providing input into the coordination of technical solutions and support on complex capital projects. This includes Scope Documents, Works & Site Information, Design Drawings, Programmes, CDM Documents and compilation of job packs to required deadlines.
• Liaison with internal stakeholders and external 3rd parties, to seek approvals to facilitate projects.
• Undertaking site visits/audits and conduct project meetings.
• Working closely with Project Managers in regard to delivery dates, programme and cost analysis.
• Liaising with third parties to ensure they have the correct information.
• Maintaining thorough documentation of project activities.
• Regularly reviewing and updating processes and procedures.

Skills / Qualifications / Experience

• HNC, HND, or a degree in an Engineering discipline.
• Relevant Project Management qualifications (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
• Professional membership, Chartered status, or actively working towards Chartership.
• Ability to apply sound engineering judgment to check and review project scopes, technical solutions, design drawings, and compilation of job packs for complex capital projects.
• Strong understanding and application of CDM 2015 regulations, client obligations under CDM, and quality assurance processes across project delivery.
• Strong working knowledge of various NEC contract suites and their practical application with contractors.
• Proficiency in project management software, Common Data Environments (CDE), and digital databases for project documentation.
• Ability to prepare estimates, track progress, review invoices, and manage schedule, budget, and spend reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• High-level communication skills to convey information clearly and influence stakeholders across technical teams, contractors, external 3rd parties, and leadership.
• Strong time management skills to handle multiple project deliverables, meeting dates, and site visit schedules.
• Proactive approach to resolving issues, performing site audits, and updating procedures to maintain high standards of delivery.
• Practical experience working in a water distribution environment, water utility, or similar industrial engineering setting.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?

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.

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 £52,000 p.a. dependent on experience