Project Manager

National Highways; Park Central; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is seeking an Estates Programme and Project Manager within the Business Services Directorate. You will lead a portfolio of workplace and location projects, including depot builds and office refurbishments, to meet the organisation's accommodation needs and strategic goals.

Reporting to the Estates Programme and Project Manager, you will drive planning, delivery, and performance across teams and external partners, ensuring timely, cost‑effective results in a complex environment.

Qualifications

• Holds or achievable IPMA level certification or equivalent demonstrated capability.
• Experience leading teams to deliver a programme of projects, including complex or high‑profile initiatives.
• Proven ability to plan with delivery partners and develop detailed stage plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of groups of projects or a large complex project, coordinating internal teams and external partners.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with Programme Manager, Project Board and stakeholders to track performance and resolve issues.
• Clarify roles within the delivery team, produce high‑quality baseline plans, reports and records.
• Identify risks, issues and dependencies, escalate and implement solutions as needed.
• Commission and manage delivery partners and consultants, ensuring health, safety, time and cost are managed.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Mentoring/coaching

Education

IPMA level

Job description

National Highways have a great opportunity to join us as an Estates Programme and Project Manager within the Business Services Directorate. We have a programme of projects to deliver our Workplace and Location Strategy which includes new depot builds, office refurbishments and building lifecycle projects to provide the accommodation solutions our business needs.

Here at National Highways, our motto is 'home safe and well' and every department in our business takes responsibility for this in their own way. Join our business services department and become part of living and breathing this motto.

Reporting to the Estates Programme and Project Manager you will lead the planning and delivery of a group of projects or a single large, complex project, managing the performance of project teams, external contractors and consultants.

• Developing and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with the Programme Manager, Project Board and other key internal and external stakeholders, to ensure full mutual understanding of the projects' strategic and delivery objectives, to report on and review project performance, and to agree solutions that resolve complex issues.
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities within the project delivery team, creating high quality baseline management products, producing timely and accurate reports, and creating and maintaining specified records.
• Overseeing feasibility, design, and assessment work for proposed projects, to inform the development of business cases and investment proposals, and implementing project plans, to ensure that all activities are appropriately organised to deliver project objectives, and are appropriately resourced to deliver the required outcomes.
• Identifying and evaluating emerging risks, issues, dependencies and constraints associated with the project, escalating where appropriate. Where necessary develop, agree and implement solutions to overcome these.
• Commissioning and managing the performance of delivery partners and expert consultancy support as appropriate, ensuring that project objectives and requirements are clearly understood, setting clear expectations for health and safety management, time and cost; and taking appropriate remedial action where necessary.

About you

• Holds or able to attain a certified accreditation project or programme management qualification or provide evidence through formal capability assessment to achieve International Project Management Association (IPMA) level.
• Experience of managing teams to successful development and delivery of a programme of projects, complex, medium/high risk projects or high-profile projects.
• Demonstrable experience of managing the development of project plans and detailed stage plans in conjunction with delivery partners.
• Commercial skills with proven ability to negotiate and manage contracts to deliver outcomes and drive value for money.
• Demonstrate experience as mentor and/or coach to develop project management talent, skills and competence within a complex project environment.

About us

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Business Services plays a crucial role in supporting the efficient operation and growth of the strategic road network. We provide a wide range of essential services across the organisation, ensuring that all functions run smoothly and effectively. We work behind the scenes to support the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and services, ensuring that National Highways meets its commitments to safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Our key areas of focus include procurement, finance, human resources, IT, and strategic planning. We ensure the company operates efficiently, delivers projects on time and within budget, and meets the needs of stakeholders. By offering expert advice, managing resources, and driving operational excellence, we support National Highways in achieving its mission of maintaining and improving the road network across the country.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.