Associate / Project Specialist - Derby

-; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure contractor is seeking an Associate / Project Support Specialist to support senior leadership and manage key projects in the UK. The role involves project governance, communications, and strategic initiatives to drive growth. Candidates should have strong relationship-building skills, a degree, and experience in operations within a large organization. This position offers exposure to senior leadership and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Career development opportunities

Exposure to senior leadership

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build strong relationships with Directors and senior stakeholders.
• Experience in an operational management or leadership role within a large organisation.
• Demonstrated delivery of complex projects and strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support defined projects and governance activities across the Balvac business.
• Support the Managing Director and SLT in delivery, reporting and strategic initiatives.
• Manage delivery and reporting of cross-business projects in line with business controls.

Skills

Relationship Building

Analytical Skills

Commercial Judgement

Advanced Excel Skills

Education

Degree in Business or Professional Discipline

Tools

CRM Systems

Management Information Reporting

Job description

About the role

Job Title: Associate / Project Support Specialist

Location: Warrington, Derby or Leeds

Company: Balfour Beatty – Balvac

About Balvac

Balvac is a specialist contractor delivering complex structural strengthening, refurbishment and asset life‑extension projects across the UK. Trusted to operate where safety, quality and technical excellence matter most, Balvac works across highways, bridges, marine and critical infrastructure. As part of the Balfour Beatty Group, Balvac combines specialist expertise with the strength, scale and stability of a major infrastructure organisation.

The Role

We are seeking a high‑calibre Associate to work closely with the Balvac Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This pivotal, business‑wide role provides capacity, focus and delivery support across Pre‑Construction, Technical Services, Operations, Commercial and Business Development.

You will lead and support strategically important projects, governance activities, communications and commercial processes – playing a key role in shaping how Balvac operates and grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support defined projects and governance activities across the Balvac business
• Support the Managing Director and SLT in delivery, reporting and strategic initiatives
• Manage delivery and reporting of cross‑business projects in line with business controls
• Lead and support business communications, including development of social media presence
• Review market intelligence, competitor activity and industry news to identify opportunities
• Lead/support Scape Framework compliance and best practice
• Lead/support Supplier Questionnaires (SQs), PQQs and vendor accreditations (including Constructionline)
• Manage CRM systems and Digital GBL processes
• Provide commercial support at GBL stages 1‑4, including initial contract reviews
• Manage and support Balvac and Testal Administrators
• Facilitate SLT meetings and support employee engagement events
• Support marketing, brand development and business growth initiatives

Who we're looking for

About You

You’ll be commercially astute, confident at a senior level and comfortable operating across multiple business functions.

Essential Experience

• Proven ability to build strong relationships with Directors and senior stakeholders
• Degree educated in a business or professional discipline
• Experience in an operational management or leadership role within a large organisation
• Demonstrated delivery of complex projects and strategic initiatives
• Strong analytical and commercial judgement skills
• Advanced IT capability, particularly Excel and management information reporting

Behavioural Competencies

• Smart thinking – strong business and commercial judgement
• Drive – self‑starter mentality with determination to deliver results
• Agility – adaptable, energised by change, quick to learn
• Influence – able to win hearts and minds at all levels
• Collaboration – values teamwork and shared success
• Change leadership – confident leading improvement and transformation
• Business acumen – strong understanding of markets, customers and competitors

Why Join Balvac?

• Exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision‑making
• A unique, business‑wide role with real influence
• Work on complex, high‑profile infrastructure projects
• Career development within Balvac and the wider Balfour Beatty Group
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Personal and Professional Development

The size and scale of Balfour Beatty, combined with a strong pipeline of work, provides incredible opportunities at any stage of your career. We encourage and empower employees to take control of their career, explore which part of the business they want to work in and what role is right for them. We actively encourage managers and employees to have open communication throughout the year about wellbeing, development and career opportunities.

We’re proud of the Balfour Beatty Academy. Whether it’s sharpening technical expertise, improving personal skills or seeking support to become professionally qualified, our 70:20:10* approach to development means we have a learning approach that suits everyone.

*70% learning on the job, 20% learning from those around you, and 10% formal training courses and learning events.

Equal Opportunities & Disability Confident Employer

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Further information on Disability Confident can be found at: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/