Project Manager

FirstGroup Internal; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transport company seeks a Project Manager in Exeter to lead diverse investment projects that enhance railway services. The role involves project planning, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement to ensure timely and efficient project delivery. Ideal candidates will have experience in managing complex projects, awareness of construction regulations, and strong problem-solving skills. Travel may be required as per project needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Awareness of CDM regulations and quantity surveying.
• Experience in contract negotiations (JCT contracts).
• Adaptability to unexpected changes in construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery, managing project risks and issues.
• Monitor project finances and ensure budget compliance.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Budget Management

Critical Thinking

Problem-Solving

Education

Degree Level Education

PRINCE II practitioner or equivalent

Job description

About the team

GWR has had great success in working with industry and Local Authority partners to secure investment into the railway. The Project Delivery Team manages the delivery of a wide variety of investment projects, improving our stations and services for the benefit of our customers, colleagues, and communities. The team consists of Project Managers who work closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver outputs that meet our commitments to the Department for Transport and third-party funders. The team also supports the delivery of new stations and enhancement projects delivered by Network Rail and third parties.

About the job

As a Project Manager at GWR, your role will be crucial in delivering projects that positively impact customers, colleagues, and communities across the railway network. You will be responsible for ensuring that projects are well managed, effectively planned, and executed to meet deadlines, budgets, and business requirements.

Your key tasks will include:

• Project Planning and Management: You will be responsible for developing and managing detailed project plans, ensuring that every stage is well-organized, and proactively addressing risks and issues that may arise during the project lifecycle.
• Budget and Schedule Compliance: You will ensure that projects are completed within the agreed budget and timeline. Regular financial oversight, including monitoring expenditures and forecasting will be part of your role to ensure good financial management.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: You\u2019ll engage with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that all project outputs align with business needs and enhance GWR\u2019s reputation.

Your main responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of enhancement projects, manage project plans and associated risks & issues registers
• Manage project finances including reporting, monitoring expenditures, accruals, forecasting and maintaining budget processes
• Ensure projects are delivered safely and regular safety audits are completed
• Report project progress at project boards and steering groups
• Manage external consultants and contractors.
• Ensure key project stages follow project governance requirements.
• Engage GWR functional leads from across the business, to ensure projects are delivered effectively for our partners.
• Develop and maintain deep and trusted relationships with GWR\u2019s partners and third-party investors.
• Ensure that GWR meets the obligations and commitments made to third parties.
• Manage designer and consultants to progress project development efficiently in line with PACE methodology and ensure roles are carried out in accordance with contracts and CDM 2015 regulations.
• Act as a client under CDM and lead on CDM regulations throughout the lifecycle of the project
• Manage the interface with Network Rail, ensuring that design approvals are secured in a timely manner so as not to delay project progress.
• Lead project close out and consider:
  • Final Deliverables, review, and asset management handbook
  • Ensuring project documentation and records are completed and handed back to asset owner.
  • Financial review and finance close-out completed.
  • Contracts formally closed.

About you

• Experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Awareness of CDM regulations and quantity surveying.
• Experience working with Building Regulations and understand the PD role within Building Regulations
• Experience in contract negotiations (JCT contracts).
• Construction projects often face unexpected changes, so you must be flexible and adaptable to new circumstances or requirements
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to motivate and collaborate with teams.

• An efficient organiser who prioritises work to meet external deadlines.
• Adept at interfacing with all levels of internal and external customers and suppliers

• A champion of project governance and someone who understands the philosophy behind its importance in the project lifecycle
• Ability to lead and coordinate a team of professionals, including architects, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential to motivate the team and manage day-to-day activities.

What do I need?

• Project Management experience
• PRINCE II practitioner or equivalent
• Degree Level Education
• Relevant Construction Project Management Experience

We value our differences and are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues and candidates.

About the location

The role will be based in Exeter, Swindon, or Paddington. However, the nature of the role will require a degree of travel and working location patterns will vary according to project location and stage.

For further information

For further information please contact Mary O\u2019Neill Head of GWR Project Delivery.

[e-mail] 07515501872

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive. We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/