Project Director

AtkinsRéalis; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Manchester seeks a project leader to drive major Rail Systems and infrastructure programmes. The candidate will engage with clients, lead teams, and contribute to high-value proposals. The role requires strategic thinking and strong client management skills. Competitive salary and hybrid working options are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Employee rewards

Flexible holiday allowances

Qualifications

• Experience managing systems implementation and multi-disciplinary works.
• Great client and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in programme planning and milestone reporting.

Responsibilities

• Engage with clients to build trusted relationships and drive opportunities.
• Lead high-performing teams to deliver engineering solutions.
• Contribute to winning proposals for high-value opportunities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Client management

Team leadership

Budget management

Risk management

Innovation

Job description

Overview

Contributing to bid leadership and developing winning proposals for our largest opportunities you’ll provide strategic project leadership across major Rail Systems and infrastructure programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with clients at regional and national levels to build trusted relationships and drive commercial opportunities.
• Utilise strategic thinking with our clients to focus on outcomes that satisfy end‑user expectations.
• Lead and develop high‑performing teams to deliver world‑class engineering and construction solutions on time and within budget.
• Direct project teams to ensure cost‑effective delivery across the full project life cycle aligned with client specifications.
• Champion safety, environmental responsibility, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion across all delivery teams.
• Lead bid development and contribute to winning proposals for high‑value opportunities.
• Ensure robust change management and risk mitigation strategies are in place.
• Promote digital innovation and new ways of working to enhance project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience managing the implementation of systems and multi‑disciplinary works from design, construction and entry into service.
• Experience managing sub‑contracts as a means of delivering the construction of key works.
• A track record of innovation, embracing new ways of working and use of digital tools.
• Experience of Design & Build either working in a Contractor organisation or within a Design based organisation working with contractors can demonstrate great ability to control these activities.
• Great client and stakeholder management skills.
• Able to build great relationships with clients to optimise outcomes for clients and the business.
• Be able to form trusted relationships and have the ability to create a high performing team. Sets SMART objectives and measures performance against these.
• Be able to demonstrate good control of project risk & change management, understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with risk & change.
• Knowledge of different contracting types, especially target cost.
• Experience of resolving commercial disputes, leveraging contracts to grow opportunities.
• Track record of delivering projects to budget and improving financial performance.
• Proficient in programme planning and milestone reporting.
• Focused on precision planning, quality delivery, and minimising rework.

The Individual You Are

A strategic thinker and inspirational leader with a passion for delivering excellence. You bring proven team management and mentoring capabilities, and thrive in collaborative, technical environments. You are committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and creating a culture where people feel empowered and valued. Experience in Signalling is not essential.

AtkinsRéalis EEO Statement

At AtkinsRéalis we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world‑class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.

Benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.