Lead Project Principal – Complex Buildings Delivery

Mott MacDonald; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Life assurance up to 4x salary

Employee ownership

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Project Principal for the Buildings Unit, delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects across Defence, government and related sectors. The role demands senior leadership, strong governance, and extensive experience in Design & Build or contractor-driven delivery in secure environments.

Hybrid working is available, with a focus on autonomy, risk management, and delivering high standards of safety, quality, and commercial performance for major programmes.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Significant experience delivering complex, multidisciplinary buildings projects in consultancy or professional services.
• Proven senior leadership experience (e.g., Project Principal/Director) with delivery accountability.
• Experience in Design & Build and/or contractor-led delivery with design risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end leadership for complex buildings projects from bid to close-out.
• Set and approve overall project delivery strategy including scope, programme, budget and governance.
• Lead projects in Design & Build, framework and contractor-led environments with oversight of design development and interfaces.
• Act as senior escalation point for delivery, safety, quality or commercial issues and intervene as needed.
• Provide senior commercial oversight, including fee strategy, forecasting, change management and contract administration.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor project managers and technical leads.
• Sponsor and chair key project reviews and ensure appropriate escalation of risks.
• Ensure projects are resourced with skilled teams and comply with health, safety and wellbeing standards.

Skills

Project leadership

Design & Build

Contract management

Risk management

Client facing

Governance

Stakeholder management

Autonomy

Education

Degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Project Principal for the Buildings Unit, delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects across Defence, government and related sectors. The role demands senior leadership, strong governance, and extensive experience in Design & Build or contractor-driven delivery in secure environments.

Hybrid working is available, with a focus on autonomy, risk management, and delivering high standards of safety, quality, and commercial performance for major programmes.