Project Controls Manager / Senior Project Manager

th3rdcurve; Slough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave

Private healthcare

5% employer pension contribution

Cycle to Work scheme

Regular CPD and professional dev.

Life assurance and income protection

Job summary

th3rdcurve is seeking a Senior Project Manager / Project Controls Lead to drive delivery of major data centre developments in the UK. You will provide strategic project leadership from early planning through to completion, coordinating developers, investors and key stakeholders.

This client-facing role focuses on programme management, controls and assurance, with a strong emphasis on Primavera P6, governance and continuous improvement across complex portfolios.

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering large, complex developments.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and client relationships.
• Strong governance, reporting and performance management skills.
• Delivery of programmes from planning to completion with risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of major data centre developments and complex property projects through full lifecycle.
• Develop and assure integrated programmes using Primavera P6, including MSP migrations.
• Provide programme management, project controls and assurance services on high-value projects.
• Lead consultant, contractor and client teams to achieve programme, cost and quality objectives.
• Identify risks and opportunities and implement mitigation strategies.
• Drive planning governance, reporting and best practice in project controls.
• Act as trusted advisor to senior stakeholders and support client relationships and bids.
• Mentor project management professionals and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Client-facing

Programme management

Budget management

Risk management

Leadership

Mentoring

Strategic advisory

Education

Chartered status desirable

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

A London-based consultancy delivering high-impact services in project controls and digital transformation. We specialise in simplifying complexities, driving efficiency and providing data-driven actionable insights to facilitate better decision-making and project outcomes.

With extensive experience and expertise, complemented by the capabilities of our associate partners, we challenge the status quo and deliver value-driven solutions tailored to our clients’ needs. Our clients come from a range of sectors, including rail, infrastructure, utilities (water, oil, gas, electric, renewables and nuclear), construction and government.

We are known for our collaborative, values-driven and future-focused approach. We care deeply about our impact and bring that same mindset to the projects we work on.

The Company

Our client is a people-centric project management and development consultancy that believes great projects start with great people. Partnering with occupiers, developers and institutional investors, they deliver ambitious development schemes while fostering a collaborative, transparent and high-performing culture where individuals are empowered to grow and make a genuine impact.

With a strong pipeline of major projects and continued growth, they are seeking a Senior Project Manager / Project Controls Lead to support the delivery of some of the UK's most significant data centre developments and drive the evolution of programme management and project controls across the business.

The Role

As Senior Project Manager / Project Controls Lead, you will play a pivotal role in delivering major data centre developments valued in excess of £1 billion. Acting as a trusted advisor to clients, you will provide strategic project and programme leadership from early-stage planning through to successful completion.

This is a senior, client-facing position where you'll work alongside developers, investors and key stakeholders, leading multidisciplinary teams, managing programme risk and ensuring successful project outcomes across complex developments.

You'll also help shape the organisation's planning and controls capability, leading the adoption of Primavera P6, embedding best practice, and supporting the development of a centre of excellence for programme assurance and planning.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the delivery of major data centre developments and complex property projects throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Develop, manage and assure integrated project programmes using Primavera P6, including supporting the transition of project planning from Microsoft Project (MSP).
• Provide programme management, project controls and assurance services across high-value projects and portfolios.
• Lead multidisciplinary consultant, contractor and client teams to achieve programme, cost and quality objectives.
• Identify project risks and opportunities, implementing effective mitigation and recovery strategies.
• Drive best practice in planning, governance, reporting and project controls.
• Act as a trusted advisor and primary client contact, providing strategic and commercially focused guidance to senior stakeholders.
• Support business development activities, client relationship management and bid submissions.
• Mentor and develop project management professionals, promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience delivering large-scale development projects, ideally within data centres, industrial, logistics, infrastructure or similarly complex sectors.
• Extensive experience managing projects through the full development lifecycle.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and the management of complex programme schedules.
• Experience supporting the migration and assurance of project plans from Microsoft Project (MSP) to Primavera P6.
• Strong expertise in programme management, project controls, governance and performance reporting.
• Sound understanding of development strategy, procurement, construction delivery and contract administration.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, resources and project performance.
• Excellent stakeholder management, client-facing and leadership skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing project teams.
• Chartered status (or working towards chartership) is desirable.

Why Join?

Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.

Benefits Include:

• 25 days' annual leave plus Birthday Leave
• Discretionary Christmas shutdown leave
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Private healthcare
• Life assurance and income protection
• Professional membership and subscription fees paid
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Regular CPD and professional development opportunities
• Support towards additional personal learning and development
• Interest‑free season ticket loan
• Support towards professional qualifications, including MRICS and MCIOB
• Regular team socials and company events

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