Project Lead

Hoare Lea; Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative engineering consultancy in Oxford is seeking a Project Lead to join their team. This role involves leading project planning and execution, focusing on building strong client relationships while ensuring financial performance and high-quality project delivery. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in project management within building services, excellent leadership and communication skills, and a passion for driving team success in an inclusive environment. Competitive benefits and a supportive work culture await.

Benefits

Private medical cover

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

Stock options

Up to 30 days of annual leave

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a proactive project lead in a building services environment.
• Strong technical knowledge in a primary engineering discipline.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, delivery, and monitoring of projects.
• Take responsibility for project financial performance.
• Act as key client contact, building long-term, trusted relationships.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Relevant IT packages

Job description

Project Lead

Oxford

About us

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to 30 days of annual leave.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

Our Oxford office

Our Oxford office was established in 2007 to provide a local presence on our projects. Now with over 55 engineers across an array of engineering disciplines, we have an abundance of expertise, knowledge and diversity of thought that is regularly called upon throughout the firm. Our core focus is anchored around complex engineering sectors such as Science and Research, Healthcare and Mission Critical.

As a young, vibrant and innovative office located in the heart of Jericho, culture is at the heart of everything that we do. We encourage and foster a collaborative working environment, which includes the widespread adoption of hybrid working and the option to work a 9-day fortnight.

Collectively, Oxford, Cambridge and Birmingham form part of the wider Central region within the business, a group with a real sense of team and purpose, benefiting from many shared ideas and resources, who are growing in every sense of the word – including our offer to our local market and our need for good people.

What we are looking for

We have a brand-new opportunity for an ambitious Project Lead to reinforce our local project leadership team.

As we enter a new fiscal year, it's an exciting time to join our growing team. Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high-performing work culture.

We are looking for someone who can take the lead role on projects, with strong leadership and communication skills, who can contribute to our strategy and continue to build on our culture and our sense of team. Discipline is irrelevant as we are looking for the right person, with the skills, experience, and passion to excel in this role.

You will be responsible all facets associated with project leadership and delivery, including planning, commercials, execution, and delivery. Leading by example and continuing to deliver excellence in project leadership, you will work with an integrated team here in the office and support our people delivering a consistent high-quality service for clients, ensuring that repeat business opportunities are developed, and profitability is achieved. We have a high volume of high-quality repeat work with established clients and an un-rivalled reputation in the local market. Your job will be to help us maintain and grow this position.

We are an office which celebrates diversity in its true sense and so we are looking for someone who can bring that through their skill set (not just technical!) or culture, who can influence the direction of our projects and our office. We pride ourselves in positioning people in a place where they can play to their strengths as part of our team and really contribute to something which is great.

Role profile

In this key and varied role, you can expect to :

• Lead the planning, execution, delivery, and monitoring of projects, ensuring exceptional client outcomes and commercial performance.
• Take holistic ownership for design and project management duties associated with medium and large-scale projects across all related disciplines (including MEP), reporting to the respective Programme Director.
• Take responsibility for project financial performance, ensuring profit, margin, and revenue targets are achieved in line with Business Unit goals.
• Act as the key client contact, building long-term, trusted relationships that reflect our reputation for quality, reliability, and value.
• Define and agree brief with Client and all relevant stakeholders.
• Arrange and facilitate internal project briefings and communications, with the right cultural mindset to achieve the project outcomes.
• Competently represent all disciplines of Hoare Lea at project meetings and workshops as appropriate and facilitate any resulting actions in a timely manner.
• Manage risk, change, and compliance, ensuring governance standards are consistently met.
• Collaborate closely with the Oxford leadership team, contributing to the smooth operation (ensuring effective resource management) and strategic growth of the office.
• Promote technical excellence and innovation, helping teams to deliver high-quality, creative, and sustainable solutions.
• Support the development of colleagues by mentoring, coaching, and fostering a culture of learning and inclusivity.
• Contribute to the advancement of firmwide initiatives that drive excellence, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Manage and prioritise the workload of the project team.
• Contribute to the development of our methods of working to improve our quality and efficiency.
• Be responsible for dealing successfully with Clients and other professionals to foster and maintain good relationships and to create future opportunities.

About you

To be successful in this role you’ll need :

• A proven track record as a proactive project lead, ideally within building services environment (within a professional consultancy or contractor led environment).
• Be able to work using your own initiative as well as being able to follow direction from the Senior leadership team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be confident and assertive in communicating with people at all levels to enable you to build good working relationships with all those around you – both internally and externally.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to multi-task are essential, with a good team spirit.
• Demonstrable experience working with clients / contractors / collaborators in a design-oriented role.
• Strong technical knowledge in a primary engineering discipline and ability to work to relevant and applicable regulations, design guides, etc.
• Good understanding of other disciplines
• IT literate with a technical understanding of relevant IT packages
• Self-awareness, an open mind, and a spirit of generosity

How to apply

To apply simply complete a CV profile and submit your application, or for further information please contact [e-mail]

If shortlisted, one of our recruitment team will be in touch to arrange a introductory call (about 30 minutes) to discuss the role and your experience in more detail. From there, successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview, either via Microsoft Teams or in person at one of our offices.

Adjustments and accommodations

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

Data privacy

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Recruitment agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners who assist us when required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.