Project Manager

J N Bentley Ltd; Poole; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

J N Bentley Ltd. seeks an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead a £40m wastewater infrastructure project in the UK, overseeing safety, programme, cost and quality. You will act as a client-facing leader, delivering end-to-end results and shaping outcomes across a complex supply chain.

This role requires senior leadership across design, construction, commissioning and handover, with a focus on governance, performance, and stakeholder engagement within a long-term framework.

Qualifications

• Civil engineering qualification or equivalent experience.
• Senior Project Manager with complex multi-disciplinary infra experience.
• Experience with regulated infrastructure delivery in UK water AMP frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide full lifecycle leadership from concept to handover for a multi-workstream project.
• Maintain robust governance, compliance with framework, client and regulatory requirements.
• Own and deliver commercial strategy, procurement, change control and forecasting.
• Lead client, regulator and stakeholder engagement and reporting.
• Foster high-performing project teams and succession planning.

Skills

Leadership

Civil engineering

Regulated infrastructure

NEC contracts

Change control

Cost management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of a £40m wastewater infrastructure project within a long-term Tier 1 capital delivery framework in the water sector. This is a leadership role with end-to-end accountability for project outcomes, including safety, programme, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. The role has primary responsibility for a major Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) upgrade while also providing leadership and support across the wider framework portfolio as required. You will operate as a client-facing leader, setting delivery standards, driving performance, and shaping outcomes across a complex, multi-disciplinary supply chain. This position suits an individual with a strong background in major civil engineering and regulated infrastructure environments, comfortable operating at the interface of client, designer, contractor, and supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Programme Leadership Provide full lifecycle hands on
and visible leadership from concept and design through construction, commissioning, and handover. Lead the delivery of a complex, multi-workstream infrastructure project within a highly regulated environment. Establish and maintain robust project governance, ensuring compliance with framework, client, and regulatory requirements. Act as the senior point of escalation for all project performance matters. Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (SHEQ) Take clear ownership of SHEQ performance, promoting a proactive, values-led safety culture across the project and supply chain. Ensure all works are delivered in full compliance with statutory obligations, company standards, and client requirements. Lead by example through visible safety leadership on site and in project forums. Commercial & Risk Management Own the commercial strategy for the project, working closely with commercial and planning teams to maintain cost certainty and predictability. In conjunction with the commercial team manage procurement strategies, contract administration, change control, and forecasting in line with framework agreements (e.g.NEC). Lead the identification, mitigation, and management of project risks and opportunities. Client & Stakeholder Management Build and maintain trusted relationships with the client, regulators, key stakeholders, and internal leadership. Represent the programme at client, governance, and assurance meetings. Ensure effective stakeholder engagement, including coordination with operational teams and third parties. Leadership & People Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary project team. Set clear expectations and standards of accountability, performance, and behavior. Foster collaboration across design, construction, commercial, and supply chain partners. Support succession planning and the development of future project leaders within the framework. Performance, Reporting & Assurance Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent reporting of
project(s) performance (cost, value, programme, schedule, risk, and delivery confidence). Drive continuous improvement and innovation in delivery methods, digital tools, and processes. Contribute to framework-level performance reviews and lessons learned.
Essential Civil Engineering qualified or a related engineering or construction discipline (or equivalent experience). Significant experience operating at Senior Project Manager level on complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects. Civil Engineering Contractor Experience Proven track record delivering major civil engineering or water sector programmes valued at £25m+/ annum Strong understanding of regulated infrastructure delivery, ideally within the UK water sector and AMP frameworks. Demonstrable experience leading large, integrated teams and Tier 1 supply chains. Strong commercial acumen, with hands-on experience of NEC contracts, change control, and cost management. Excellent communication skills with the credibility to operate at senior client and internal level. Desirable Chartered Engineer (CEng), Member of ICE or similar professional body. Formal project management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent). Experience delivering complex WwTW or heavy civils treatment assets. Experience operating within long-term framework or alliance environments.

Essential

Essential Civil Engineering qualified or a related engineering or construction discipline (or equivalent experience). Significant experience operating at Senior Project Manager level on complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects. Civil Engineering Contractor Experience Proven track record delivering major civil engineering or water sector programmes valued at £25m+/ annum Strong understanding of regulated infrastructure delivery, ideally within the UK water sector and AMP frameworks. Demonstrable experience leading large, integrated teams and Tier 1 supply chains. Strong commercial acumen, with hands-on experience of NEC contracts, change control, and cost management. Excellent communication skills with the credibility to operate at senior client and internal level. Desirable Chartered Engineer (CEng), Member of ICE or similar professional body. Formal project management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent). Experience delivering complex WwTW or heavy civils treatment assets. Experience operating within long-term framework or alliance environments.

Behaviours & Leadership Approach

Visible, accountable, and inclusive senior leader. Calm and decisive under pressure, with the ability to manage ambiguity and complexity. Challenges constructively and encourages high standards of performance. Resilient, adaptable, and solutions-focused. Committed to developing people and leaving a positive leadership legacy.