FM Senior Project Manager

The Norwich BioScience Institutes; Norwich; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Norwich BioScience Institutes (NBIP) seeks a Senior FM Project Manager to lead multi-phase capital and infrastructure initiatives across NBIP and partner institutes. You will drive planning, procurement, cost control, and governance to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities include strategic asset planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and rigorous health and safety compliance in a scientific environment.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or equivalent
• Project management qualifications such as PRINCE2, Agile Foundation or APM are desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end lifecycles for multiple projects from planning to handover
• Oversee procurement, tendering and contract management
• Ensure projects align with NBIP strategic objectives and governance requirements
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and external contractors

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Procurement & tendering

Risk management

Health & safety CDM

Change management

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Project Management Qualification (PRINCE2/APM/Agile)

Tools

Microsoft Project

Visio

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

The FM Senior Project Manager will lead and deliver projects within the Programme Management Office of NBIP, focusing on facilities, infrastructure, and business improvement initiatives. This role involves managing end-to-end lifecycles for multiple projects, ranging from small-scale (100k) to larger capital works (up to 10m), across NBIP and its partner institutes (JIC, EI, TSL, QIB). Key responsibilities include developing strategic asset plans, overseeing procurement and tendering, and ensuring projects align with NBIP’s vision of contributing to the Institute's long-term strategic objectives.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Deputy Head of Facilities, Infrastructure, and Projects Collaborates with: Head of Facilities,Chief Operating Officer for Institutes,Scientific Platform Leads,Project Support Officer,Contractors,Consultants and interim project resources,Health and Safety, Finance, NGI Project Team, FM Project Coordination Manager,Energy and Environment Manager

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage Project Management

• Lead day-to-day management of complex, multi-phase projects, overseeing each phase from planning and design to execution, completion, and handover to operational teams.
• Establish comprehensive project controls, defining timelines, milestones, and cost baselines. Implement appropriate delivery methodologies, tracking progress against control measures to ensure all phases are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Conduct rigorous financial oversight, preparing detailed cost forecasts, monitoring expenditures, and identifying potential budget variances. Implement corrective actions to address financial risks, ensuring alignment with organizational financial controls and protocols.
• Develop and maintain effective change management processes to track project scope modifications, budget adjustments, and schedule revisions. Facilitate stakeholder agreement on deliverables and priorities, documenting all changes to maintain accountability and transparency.

15 Strategic Development and Planning

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of strategic asset management plans, ensuring alignment with NBIP's long-term goals for operational resilience and sustainability.
• Prepare, develop, and update comprehensive business cases for new and ongoing projects, conducting in-depth analyses of benefits, costs, and risks. Justify project continuation or modifications based on value-for-money assessments and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Implement robust project assurance processes, overseeing risk assessments, periodic health checks, and gateway reviews to ensure adherence to project governance frameworks. Identify risks early and develop mitigation strategies to address potential impacts on project timelines and outcomes.
• Ensure all projects are delivered in line with health, safety, and environmental standards, particularly adhering to CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations, and conduct regular safety reviews and compliance audits.

15 Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Build and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with all key stakeholders, including senior leaders, operational managers, and external consultants, to align project objectives with organizational needs and priorities.
• Develop communication strategies that ensure clear, consistent, and timely updates on project scope, milestones, budget, and outcomes. Address and resolve stakeholder concerns swiftly to maintain project momentum and positive engagement.
• Lead cross-functional teams, incorporating input from engineering, finance, procurement, health and safety, and facilities management to deliver project goals. Coordinate with third‑party contractors, consultants, and interim resources to ensure project milestones are met and deliverables are completed on time, within scope, and to quality expectations.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement across the PMO, providing coaching and mentorship to team members and fostering knowledge sharing of best practices and innovative approaches.

15 Resource, Budget, and Financial Management

• Identify, schedule, and manage all project resources, optimizing staff and materials to ensure efficient resource utilization. Forecast resource needs, adjusting allocations as necessary to adapt to changes in project demands.
• Conduct detailed budget planning, monitor expenditures, and produce financial reports to track spending and avoid budget overruns. Coordinate with Finance to secure budget approvals from the Project/Programme Boards, aligning all financial activities with organisational standards and protocols.
• Apply risk management techniques to forecast and monitor project risks, identifying financial, operational, and safety‑related risks. Develop and implement mitigation strategies to minimise impacts on timelines, budgets, and outcomes.
• Establish procurement strategies for sourcing contractors, materials, and equipment, ensuring compliance with NBIP and public sector procurement regulations. Manage tendering processes, evaluate bids, and negotiate contracts to ensure value for money and effective project delivery.

15 Health, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance

• Implement health and safety measures across all project activities, ensuring compliance with industry standards, NBIP policies, and statutory requirements, including CDM regulations. Conduct regular health and safety reviews, audits, and risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• Ensure all project team members and contractors receive the necessary training and resources to uphold high health and safety standards throughout project lifecycles.
• Maintain a proactive approach to risk management by regularly updating the RAID logs (Risk, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies), identifying new risks, and coordinating mitigation strategies with the project team and relevant stakeholders.

15 Asset Management and Project Handover

• Develop and manage strategic asset management plans, ensuring all project assets are aligned with NBIP’s objectives for sustainability, cost‑effectiveness, and operational performance.
• Facilitate a thorough project handover process to operational teams, ensuring assets, documentation, and knowledge transfer are well‑managed to enable seamless integration into Business as Usual (BAU) activities.
• Conduct post‑completion reviews, capturing lessons learned, evaluating performance against initial objectives, and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Across these broad elements there is a general requirement to carry out other duties, working independently and as a member of the wider team, on behalf of NBIP consistent with the nature of the post, and as agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

10 As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement Importance Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience in a professional environment Essential Project Management Qualification such as Agile Foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation, APM Project Management, or transferable skillset Essential Health and Safety: IOSH managing safetly or NEBOSH Certificate Essential PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile Practitioner, or equivalent higher‑level Project Management Qualification Desirable APM Registered Project Professional (RPP) / Charted Project Professional (ChPP) Desirable Membership of a professional body e.g. APM Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement Importance Knowledge of Microsoft Project, Visio and other project management related software and tools Essential Good working knowledge of MS Office packages (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) Essential Understanding and knowledge of the workings of a common data environment (CDE) on construction projects for information management and document control and ability to influence how the CDE can be used to protect the interests of the client Essential Where a CDE is absent, demonstrable knowledge and skills of establishing project communications and protocols to control information flow and ensure audit trails of decisions made and good project governance Essential Knowledge of industry standard procurement approaches commonly used in public sector projects and ability to determine practical solutions whilst considering NBIP procurement rules Essential Knowledge of managing projects in a green field and existing built environments Essential Understanding of the constraints and protocols of working on infrastructure projects in a specialist research environment Desirable Knowledge of the various stakeholder groups at JIC, other institutes and NRP organisations Desirable Understanding the relationship that needs to be established and nurtured within the PMO environment Desirable

Requirement Importance Demonstrable broad senior project management experience gathered from a wide cross‑section of industries enabling best practice to be brought to the role and ability to challenge the status quo Essential Experience working as a member of a large or high complexity project team, or as a specialist or workstream lead for small to medium, low complexity projects with multiple interfaces Essential Able to evidence a good understanding of Project methodologies and lifecycles Essential Able to evidence experience of successfully engaging with and influencing a range of internal and external stakeholders Essential Able to deputise for the Project Director at times of absence Essential Able to manage complex stakeholder relationships Essential Previous experience at working on infrastructure projects in a research park environment Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement Importance Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills Essential Excellent interpersonal and team working skills with friendly and approachable disposition Essential Able to work independently and autonomously as necessary to meet the requirements of the role, whilst operating transparently as a member of a wider team Essential Able to recognise, anticipate and effectively deal with existing or potential conflicts at an individual, team or strategic level Essential Able to create and present a compelling vision, set clear direction that motivates others to work towards a common goal Essential Able to adapt to ambiguity and change as well as engaging and communicating with stakeholders and project team members to ensure the project stays on track Essential Able to recognise when broader culture change is necessary to deliver a project Essential Feel comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture and re‑focus as details emerge. Essential Apply knowledge and techniques to reduce ambiguity Essential Able to work in an environment of uncertainty and continual change. Desirable Able to plan, lead and effect positive cultural change, securing commitment and buy‑in and promoting a positive long‑term vision Desirable

Additional Requirements

Requirement Importance Attention to detail, delivered consistently including managing data and maintaining audit trials Essential Promotes equality and values diversity Essential A willingness to challenge preconceptions and offer well‑reasoned and considered judgements to all levels of stakeholders Essential Highly developed analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to quickly understand new and complex issues and to apply solutions Essential Self‑organisation skills and a demonstrable ability to manage and prioritise a workload and multiple project or work streams Essential Ability to identify and summarise key points from complex discussions and meetings and documents Essential Document production to a high standard, able to proofread and redact work as required to deliver effective and cogent outputs Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate Essential Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required Essential The ability to understand and communicate detailed processes quickly Essential Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute Essential Attention to detail Essential

Who We Are

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non‑scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The NBIP Facilities Department at the Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI) provides comprehensive Facilities Management services to the John Innes Institute, the Sainsbury Laboratory, Quadrum (QIB) and the Earlham Institute. Its primary objective is to deliver safe, high‑quality scientific environments that support world‑class, market‑leading research. The department plays a critical role in maintaining and managing infrastructure, laboratory spaces, and essential services, ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations. Through a blend of skilled in‑house professionals and cost‑effective contracted service providers, the team ensures efficient operations in a fast‑paced scientific environment. This includes strategic asset management, capital projects ranging from small‑scale improvements to major works up to £10 million, and optimizing the built environment to deliver “best value” facilities. By fostering collaboration with researchers and stakeholders, the department enables