Project Manager

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm in Manchester seeks an Associate Director to oversee projects in engineering and construction. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, 10 years of related experience, and 5 years in project management. Responsibilities include leading teams, ensuring project delivery, and managing client relations. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within various sectors including healthcare and education.

Qualifications

• 10 years related experience in engineering or construction.
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee complex engineering and construction-related projects.
• Manage quality, safety, and risk aspects of projects.
• Coordinate design and engineering teams across the global network.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Project management software

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for an Associate Director that is self-motivated, dynamic, professional. Resilient with the intent to continuously self-improve and is always ready to go the “extra mile” for clients Internally & Externally. Someone who actively demonstrates a pride in, and an enthusiasm for meeting client needs, and spots opportunities to increase service levels.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

As a Associate Director at HDR, you will oversee complex engineering and construction-related projects, particularly in the area of Commissioning (Cx) Services. This includes:

• Leading commissioning and handover processes for buildings, infrastructure, and technical systems.
• Managing quality, safety, and risk aspects of engineering and construction projects.
• Coordinating multi-disciplinary design and engineering teams across HDR’s global network.
• Driving project delivery from contract execution to final acceptance, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget compliance.
• Developing and maintaining safety protocols, ISO systems, and technical best practices.
• Supporting business development by managing key clients, preparing bids, and identifying new opportunities.
• Delivering projects in sectors such as Commercial, Finance, Hotel & Leisure, Healthcare, Education plus others

In the role of Associate Director, we'll count on you to:

• Responsible for new business leads, owning the process through to contract execution and project delivery.
• Drive consistent and effective communication across Cx and the HDR Enterprise.
• Support development and successfully deliver of financial budgets and forecasts.
• Serve as a Senior / Escalation point for selected key clients.
• Leverage company-wide project delivery tools and systems to ensure successful project delivery, workload forecasting, staff recruitment and development, and staff performance management.
• Conduct selected key client contract negotiations and management.
• In close collaboration with accounting leadership, monitor and manage financial aspects of business operations for which you are accountable.
• Work closely with our safety team in developing guidance and safe work systems that relate to commissioning including development and refinement of company-wide safety protocols and management KPIs.
• Participate in local, regional and global leadership meetings as required.
• Assist and review risk management plans for projects.
• Assist in the identification and prioritisation of new hires and in the recruiting of new candidates including graduates and apprentices.
• Support the annual budgeting process with respect to commissioning planning.
• Demonstrate a commitment to quality, ongoing improvement and HDR’s values.
• Drive the identification and development of organic and new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with other leaders in defining opportunities and engagement strategies for selected key clients.

Other Duties:

• Structure training and succession of the teams to enhance performance and ensure future engineering expertise in the company.
• Lead as required to support the bid process through delivering high quality, commercially viable bid documents.
• Support the Managing Principal in running the Cx Business class assisting with all aspects of quality management.
• Ensure no claims are made on PI, ensure all contract documents are diligently checked.
• Subject to approval, interview and recruit new personnel / leadership.
• Support, own, develop and be accountable for best practice in-house technical documents and guides.
• Sign off timesheets and expenses of direct reports.
• Authorise holiday requests of direct reports.
• Complete health and safety and quality audits during site attendance.
• Maintain all quality & ISO systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Construction Management, or Industrial Engineering
• 10 years related experience
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

#LI-MW4

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 10 years related experience
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

Primary Location

: United Kingdom-England-Manchester

Schedule

Schedule

: Full-time

Employee Status

Employee Status

: Regular

Job Posting

Job Posting

: Aug 27, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.