Client-Side Project Manager

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university is seeking a Client-Side Project Manager to oversee complex construction projects up to £2m. The successful candidate will require extensive project delivery experience, team management skills, and a strong background in cost management and health and safety practices. This role involves liaising with senior stakeholders and requires excellent communication abilities. The position offers a full-time contract in Cambridge, with a focus on developing strategic project execution plans.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in leading complex projects.
• Proven ability to deliver projects from inception to completion.
• Experience in managing project teams.
• Commercial and cost management experience.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple teams across diverse projects.
• Create Project Execution Plans for each project.
• Liaise and network with senior stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with project delivery standards.

Skills

Project delivery

Team management

Cost management

Health & Safety awareness

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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University of Cambridge provided pay range

This range is provided by University of Cambridge. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

The Role:

The Project Leader(s)s report either directly to the Head of Projects (who reports to the Director of Programme Delivery) or to a Senior Project Leader. These senior roles require building relationships at the highest levels within the University. The role carries broad influence over staff, strategic investment decisions, asset and property development, and includes financial insight and tactical control in delivering capital projects valued up to £50m.

The University of Cambridge has the largest estate in Higher Education with an existing 772,000m2 built space within 375 teaching, research and operational buildings. The operational estate is valued at £5.4 billion (Insurance Replacement Cost) and comprises a diverse range from Grade 1 Listed buildings to state-of-the-art laboratories.

Estates Division (ED) is responsible for high-level strategic planning, the delivery of major and minor construction programmes and maintenance of the estate as well as a wide range of University-wide services.

About you:

In order to succeed in this role, you will join us with:

• Prior experience in personally leading the delivery of complex projects requiring significant planning and co-ordination work to be undertaken.
• Proven ability to deliver projects from inception to practical completion.
• Experience of programme delivery and programme management.
• Experience of managing a team of project professional staff and portfolio project delivery.
• Experience of live construction sites and exposure to being part of a positive Health & Safety culture on site.
• Demonstrable track record in implementing quality standards and systems, with attention to detail.
• Commercial and cost management experience (contract types, procurement, risk and cost)
• An excellent negotiator with high-level influencing skills and the ability to communicate effectively internally and externally.
• Excellent communication skills. Both in writing and spoken. The ability to present complex issues succinctly and effectively to wide ranging audiences.
• Proven ability to act as a subject expert, challenging thinking of others to develop high-level and robust design briefs/ project plans
• Significant commercial awareness.
• Solid knowledge of construction forms and procedures, including health and safety.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to perform as part of a team.
• Good knowledge of sustainability practices and accreditations in UK
• A balance between entrepreneurial creativity and a tenacity to see through long-term projects.
• Results driven, disciplined and hard-working, with a focus on meeting deadlines.
• Excellent numerical skills.

Key Elements of the Role:

Managing multiple teams across diverse projects types. All projects are different, and the role holder will have to create a Project Execution Plan and appropriate management regime to suit each project, in line with the Project Delivery Manual.

The role holder shall be expected to operate at a high level of liaison and networking with senior people both within and outside the University and to present as a professional and commanding representative of the University.

Interviews will be held w/c 29th September 2025.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please email Estates Division on [e-mail]

Please quote reference BA46749 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Project Management, Management, and Strategy/Planning

• Industries

  Construction and Building Construction

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