Project Manager

Belmont Recruitment; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority is looking for a skilled Project Manager to oversee transport infrastructure projects in Cambridgeshire. This role requires expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and highway engineering. The successful candidate will lead various projects, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery while collaborating with multiple stakeholders. An emphasis on community engagement and service excellence is crucial. Work is remote with one day in the office weekly, with a contract length of 12 months and a competitive salary of £325 per day.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing transport infrastructure projects.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
• Familiarity with procurement processes and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of transport infrastructure projects.
• Manage consultants and stakeholders for successful project outcomes.
• Develop comprehensive project reports and ensure adherence to budgets.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Highway Engineering

Procurement

Team Leadership

Education

Relevant Degree in Engineering or Project Management

Tools

MS Project

Asta

Job description

Remote Based - Project Manager - Cambridgeshire County Council

Salary: £325 Per Day
Hours: 37 Hours
Working Schedule: Monday to Friday
Contract Length: 12 Months
Location: New Shire Hall, Alconbury, Huntington, PE28 4YE

Need to be local to Cambridgeshire – 1 Day in Office a week at least.

Role Overview

Working for a local authority.

Varied PM experience across new infrastructure projects including minor highways improvements, design experience/knowledge.

Development of infrastructure projects from early feasibility stage onwards.

Management of consultants.

Stakeholder management & engagement including elected members.

The development and delivery of new transport infrastructure is vital to the future economic wellbeing of Cambridgeshire. Delivering this programme requires a broad and advanced skill set, including highway engineering expertise, project and programme management, procurement and commissioning, stakeholder engagement, land negotiation, transport planning, and statutory and legal processes.

The Project Manager plays a critical role in driving innovation across a diverse programme of transport schemes, ensuring the effective, efficient, and high-quality delivery of projects. The postholder will bring together a wide range of stakeholders—including Parish and District Councils, residents, campaign groups, and businesses—to define delivery outcomes and ensure value for money, community engagement, and service excellence.

The role supports the Group Manager and senior colleagues within the Project Delivery Directorate by contributing to joined-up service planning, effective resource utilisation, and the achievement of the Council's strategic objectives.

Main Accountabilities

1. Project Management Expertise
   
   • Provide leadership within the Project Delivery Highways Service to ensure the successful delivery of transport infrastructure projects.
   • Offer professional advice across Place & Economy on highway engineering, project and programme management, procurement, community engagement, and delivery of transport improvements.
   • Prepare clear, timely, and detailed technical reports that define project requirements, delivery timescales, and stakeholder expectations.
   • Direct, manage, and guide project delivery to achieve high-quality outcomes within agreed time and budget constraints.
   • Lead on specialist areas of project expertise to ensure complex issues and enquiries are resolved using the highest level of technical knowledge.
   • Manage the technical approval of projects, including detailed design, procurement, programming, and customer consultation.
   • Develop effective systems for project review, reporting progress, managing risk, and monitoring actual and forecast costs.
   • Implement robust project programmes, applying effective change control and using appropriate project management software (e.g. MS Project, Asta).
   • Plan and lead projects, initiatives, and events, ensuring effective coordination across services and partner organisations.
   • Inspire and support colleagues to contribute to corporate projects that deliver improved outcomes.
2. Programme Management, Procurement and Delivery
   
   • Work collaboratively across the Directorate, Council, and partner organisations to deliver projects efficiently, effectively, and in a coordinated manner.
   • Provide the Project Team Leader with clear, integrated forward work programmes, supported by robust decision-making and control processes.
   • Ensure major contracts are procured to maximise value for money through frameworks such as the Highway Services Contract, Eastern Highways Alliance, or NEC3.
   • Embed environmental, community, and business impact mitigation measures into all projects and programmes.
   • Ensure due consideration is given to the needs of all network users, particularly vulnerable groups.
   • Provide informal and formal advice to Councillors on project planning, delivery, and programme development.
3. Financial, Contract and Risk Management
   
   • Support the control and monitoring of the capital programme, ensuring accurate monthly reporting of actual and forecast expenditure.
   • Identify and report variances, expenditure risks, and funding shortfalls, proposing mitigation and alternative funding opportunities where appropriate.
   • Ensure expenditure remains within approved budget tolerances while maintaining the transport infrastructure network.
   • Identify financial pressures early and implement agreed mitigation actions.
   • Implement and maintain project-level risk management processes in line with corporate guidelines.
   • Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety legislation and best practice, including Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations.
   • Ensure all contractual and procurement processes are fully adhered to.
4. Partnership Working
   
   • Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, including highway service providers, Parish and District Councils, Department for Transport, National Highways, Network Rail, Environment Agency, LEP, and community groups.
   • Promote collaborative working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure coordinated, cost-effective, and integrated service delivery.
   • Ensure the timely and effective exchange of information with partners to maintain alignment and shared objectives.
5. Communication and Customer Focus
   
   • Embed customer focus and high standards of customer care throughout project delivery.
   • Align service objectives with the needs of local communities and businesses.
   • Actively engage communities, Councillors, businesses, and stakeholders throughout project development and delivery.
   • Deliver effective consultation processes and ensure feedback is accurately reported to inform decision-making.
   • Provide timely and transparent updates to the public, media, partners, and stakeholders.
   • Develop systems to capture and evaluate feedback to support continuous service improvement.
6. Staff Management and Development
   
   • Inspire, motivate, and manage staff to maximise performance and promote flexible use of resources.
   • Recruit, develop, and retain staff to meet current and future service needs.
   • Support a culture of empowerment, collaboration, openness, and transparency.
   • Share expertise through mentoring and coaching to build capability and resilience across teams.
   • Promote apprenticeships and workforce development to ensure sustainable service delivery for the future.