Minor Works Project Manager

South East Water; Tonbridge and Malling; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension

5 weeks holiday

Flexible annual leave

Volunteer days

Cycle to work

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking an experienced Project Manager to drive the delivery of minor works across essential water infrastructure, including treatment works, pipelines, reservoirs, and pumping stations.

You will manage NEC-based contracts, lead cross-disciplinary teams, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with strong HSE compliance. Driving collaboration with operations, consultants, and authorities is key.

Qualifications

• NEC3/NEC4 ECC contract administration experience.
• Proven track record delivering major water infrastructure projects.
• Strong planning, organisational and time management skills.
• Experience in budgeting, cost forecasting and financial control.
• Health, Safety and CDM compliance awareness.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full project lifecycle from initiation to closure.
• Lead NEC-based contract management and early warnings.
• Define scope, develop schedules, track progress.
• Develop budgets, monitor expenditure, forecast costs.
• Identify risks, manage opportunities, implement mitigations.
• Engage stakeholders across operations, consultants, authorities.
• Champion HSE and ensure CDM compliance.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for delivery.

Skills

NEC expertise

Project management

Infrastructure projects

Budget & cost control

HSE/CDM compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Contract management

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering / Construction Management

Job description

Do you want a role where your expertise in project delivery and contract management truly matters? We're looking for an experienced and proactive Project Manager to join our team and drive the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of essential minor works projects. This is a brilliant opportunity to apply your skills across vital infrastructure, from treatment works upgrades and pipeline installations to reservoir maintenance and pumping station improvements. If you're a seasoned professional looking for meaningful work and ready for your next big challenge, this exciting role offers autonomy, complexity, and clear purpose.

Main Responsibilities

• Project Delivery: Managing the full project lifecycle-initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure-for assigned clean water infrastructure projects.
• Contract Management (NEC Focus): Leading the administration of contracts, primarily under the NEC3/NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) framework. This includes managing contract award, proactively handling communication, compensation events, early warnings, programme submissions, payments, and dispute resolution in line with NEC procedures.
• Scope & Schedule Management: Defining project scope and deliverables, developing detailed project schedules, tracking progress, and implementing corrective actions.
• Budget & Cost Control: Developing project budgets, monitoring expenditure, forecasting costs, and managing financial performance.
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks, proactively managing the early warning process, and identifying opportunities for project enhancement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaising effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including operations teams, consultants, contractors, regulatory bodies, customers, and local authorities.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE): Championing a strong HSE culture, ensuring project activities comply with company policies, CDM regulations, and relevant environmental legislation.
• Team Leadership & Coordination: Coordinating multi-disciplinary teams (internal staff, consultants, contractors) to foster a collaborative and performance-driven environment.

What you'll need

A Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management) or equivalent demonstrable experience.

A full Driving Licence is required.

Skills & Experience

• Contract Management (NEC Expertise): Demonstrable, in-depth understanding and practical application of the NEC3/NEC4 ECC suite is essential. You must have the ability to interpret contractual requirements and manage contractual processes effectively and fairly.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex infrastructure projects through the entire lifecycle, with strong planning, organisational, and time management skills.
• Significant, proven experience managing infrastructure projects, preferably within the utilities, civil engineering, or construction sectors of the water industry.
• A proven track record of successfully delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Technical Acumen: Good understanding of civil engineering, M&E, or process principles.
• Financial Management: Strong budget management, cost control, and financial forecasting skills.
• HSE Awareness: Strong understanding and commitment to health, safety, and environmental regulations and best practices, including CDM regulations.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships, effectively influence, and negotiate with diverse stakeholders.

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.

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.

Compensation package

• Up to £73,000 p.a. dependent on experience, plus car allowance.