Principal Project Manager

The Coal Authority; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A national environmental protection agency is seeking a Principal Project Manager to lead complex, high-impact projects across the UK. The role involves inspiring teams, managing diverse project portfolios, and ensuring compliance with governance standards. The ideal candidate has proven leadership and project management abilities, particularly in emergency response contexts. This position offers a hybrid working model, balancing in-office and remote work, with a strong emphasis on community impact and environmental protection.

Benefits

28.97% employer pension contribution

Flexible working hours

Generous holiday allowance of 27.5 days and 8 public holidays

Comprehensive parental leave policy

Employee Assistance Programme

On-site free parking

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in managing teams.
• Experience with NEC4 contracts and project delivery.
• Comfortable in emergency-response decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational teams and project managers.
• Deliver projects under NEC4 contracts.
• Manage a varied portfolio of projects effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Communication

Collaboration

Crisis Management

Education

Degree or professional qualifications in a relevant field

Job description

About You

Do you want to lead work that matters : Take ownership of a safety-critical national portfolio that protects people and the environment across Scotland, England and Wales, your decisions will have a visible, positive community impact

Coach a high-performing team : Grow and support a multi-site team of Project Managers delivering resilient, emergency-ready projects in a fast-moving, public-facing context

Set the bar for governance and value : Champion compliance and assurance (including NEC4 and statutory frameworks) while securing best value for public money

What you’ll bring

You might have gained your expertise through a degree, professional qualifications, apprenticeships, or directly through hands‑on experience. If you can show the capability and judgement to perform at this level, we want to hear from you.

• Leadership that lifts others : You coach, set clear expectations and create psychological safety, enabling people to do their best work while holding the bar on delivery
• Portfolio delivery at scale : You’ve led complex construction / engineering projects or programmes, balancing time, cost and quality, with strong risk, assurance and audit readiness
• Calm in the moment : You’re comfortable prioritising and making decisions in an emergency‑response context, keeping colleagues, customers and communities at the centre
• Clear, accessible communication : You translate complex information so it’s easy to act on, for residents, partners and colleagues
• Collaboration that builds trust : You work well with internal teams, local partners and suppliers to achieve safe, compliant, value‑for‑money outcomes
• Knowledge that helps (nice‑to‑haves) : Familiarity with NEC4 contracts, public‑sector procurement, and health & safety legislation; awareness of coal mining subsidence legislation
• Mobility : Able to travel for meetings and site visits across Scotland, England and Wales (with some overnight stays)

About The Role

As Principal Project Manager in our Public Safety & Subsidence team, you’ll play a pivotal part in protecting communities and the environment by leading the delivery of complex, high‑impact projects across Scotland, England and Wales.

In this role, you will :

• Lead and inspire operational teams and project managers, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture where everyone can thrive.
• Administer and deliver projects under NEC4 contracts, ensuring compliance, value for money, and robust governance.
• Champion a positive and responsive customer experience, acting as a trusted point of contact for residents, partners, and stakeholders.
• Manage a varied portfolio of projects, prioritising effectively, balancing competing demands, and proactively managing risk.
• Apply your experience from construction, engineering, or geotechnical settings‑mining experience is welcome but not essential.

We welcome different ways of thinking. If you’re unsure whether you meet every point, please apply—skills are developed and we value transferable experience

To find out more about the role, take a look at the job description.

Role location

Hybrid working (on average 1 day per week working out of our Mansfield office)

Schedule

Application closing date : 4th January 2026

Sifting date : w / c 5th January 2026

Interviews : w / c 12th January 2026

(If you are unavailable on these interview dates, please make us aware and we will look at alternative dates)

Security

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks and will be subject to UK Immigration requirements.

About Mining Remediation Authority

Here at the Mining Remediation Authority, we really are a great team to work with. We’re united in our passion and commitment to make a better future for people and the environment in mining areas.

We carry out a wide variety of essential services from responding to coal mining hazards, to keeping everyone and everything safe from mine water pollution.

We are excited about what our future holds. Our work is helping to develop a new sustainable source of renewable energy for the UK. By harnessing the energy from mine water heat, we hope to play a key role towards helping the UK to meet net‑zero emissions by 2050.

We truly are a supportive organisation where we all live and breathe our values. We are inclusive, trusted and progressive in everything that we do.

Our benefits

• A cutting‑edge pension scheme with an impressive employer contribution rate of approximately 28.97%.
• Experience our values‑based recognition scheme that celebrates your contributions.
• Flexibility in working patterns, whether it’s full‑time, part‑time, or compressed hours.
• Embrace flexible working arrangements tailored to your needs.
• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance of 27.5 days annually, plus the flexibility to add 6 extra days to that, alongside 8 public holidays.
• Benefit from a comprehensive parental leave policy with 26 weeks of full pay (subject to eligibility).
• Get support to further your professional qualifications and payment for one annual professional subscription.
• Access a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme to support your well‑being.
• Unlock exclusive employee discounts
• Ensure your well‑being with an annual health check and receive £15 monthly towards well‑being activities.
• Enjoy the convenience of on‑site free parking, along with complimentary tea, coffee, and soft drinks at our Mansfield office.

Working with us

We offer different ways to work flexibly, and the following types of flexibility are usually possible : job share, flexible hours, working from home for part of the week and compressed hours. Please feel free to talk about what flexibility means to you at your interview.

With a genuine commitment to flexible working, we believe that work‑life balance is incredibly important.

Who we are

We are a great team, united in passion and commitment towards a better future for people and the environment in mining areas. We carry out a wide variety of essential services from responding to coal mining hazards, to keeping everyone and everything safe from mine water pollution. Our work is helping to develop a new sustainable source of renewable energy for the UK, harnessing the energy from mine water heat. We truly are a supportive organisation that lives and breathes our values. We are inclusive, trusted and progressive in everything that we do.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, and we actively promote equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process.

As part of our commitment to inclusive recruitment, we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria and identify as disabled or from a minority ethnic background, this aligns with our values.

We recruit based on your skills, experience and potential not your ethnicity, background, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. To help ensure fairness, we anonymise applications by asking you to remove personally identifiable information before they are reviewed by hiring managers. This helps us reduce unconscious bias and focus solely on what matters, your ability to succeed in the role.

Reasonable adjustments or an alternative format to apply

If you require reasonable adjustments or an alternative format to apply, please contact us at [email protected] or call us on 01623 637000. We are happy to support you through the process.