Project Manager – Capital Programme

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council in Chelmsford is seeking a Construction Project Manager to lead a portfolio of small to mid-sized capital projects. You will oversee the full lifecycle from inception to handover, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, consultants and contractors to meet time, budget and quality targets.

The role requires proactive leadership, risk management and strong stakeholder engagement within a complex public-sector environment, with hybrid working and a focus on delivering

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering construction, property, infrastructure or capital projects from inception to completion and managing consultants, contractors and project budgets.
• Knowledge of NEC and/or JCT contracts and construction H&S requirements, incl CDM Regulations.
• Experience managing project risks, issues and project reporting.
• Strong communication, organisational and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery of capital construction and infrastructure projects, ensuring agreed outcomes are achieved within scope, programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Lead projects from feasibility through procurement, construction, handover and close-out.
• Develop and monitor project programmes, budgets and delivery plans, maintaining effective financial control and reporting.
• Manage project risks, issues and changes, implementing appropriate controls and mitigation measures
• Procure and manage consultants, contractors and other delivery partners, ensuring performance and contractual compliance.
• Coordinate project meetings and maintain accurate records of decisions and actions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, organisational policies, health and safety requirements, and industry standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement through the promotion of best practice and lessons learned.

Skills

Degree qualification or equivalent

Experience delivering construction/cap

NEC and/or JCT contracts knowledge

Contract management and procurement

Risk management and reporting

Communication and organisational

Education

Degree qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

About The Role

This is a hybrid-working role. You will work from the Chelmsford office and/or across our operational area 2-3 days per week, depending on business need. This can be discussed further at interview.

Project Manager - Capital Programme

Permanent

Full Time, 37 hours per week

Up to £57,059 per annum

Location: Chelmsford*

Closing Date: 8th November 2026

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

The Opportunity

As a Construction Project Manager, you will be responsible for managing the successful delivery of a portfolio of small to medium-sized construction and infrastructure projects, typically range of construction value from £1m to £20 million. Working across the full project lifecycle, from project initiation and design development through procurement, construction, and handover.

Applicants will function as the client-side project lead, coordinating multidisciplinary project teams, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders to achieve successful project outcomes. You will be responsible for managing project Programmes, budgets, risks, procurement, and contract performance, whilst ensuring compliance with governance, assurance, and statutory requirements.

The role requires a proactive and experienced project management professional who can balance competing priorities, build strong collaborative relationships, and provide effective leadership throughout the delivery process. Working within a complex stakeholder environment, you will influence and engage a wide range of internal and external partners, ensuring projects remain aligned to strategic objectives and deliver intended benefits.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-profile capital investment projects that improve infrastructure, services, and facilities across Essex, while developing your experience within a dynamic and ambitious capital delivery environment.

Accountabilities

• Manage the delivery of capital construction and infrastructure projects, ensuring agreed outcomes are achieved within scope, programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Lead projects from feasibility through procurement, construction, handover and close-out.
• Develop and monitor project programmes, budgets and delivery plans, maintaining effective financial control and reporting.
• Manage project risks, issues and changes, implementing appropriate controls and mitigation measures
• Procure and manage consultants, contractors and other delivery partners, ensuring performance and contractual compliance.
• Coordinate project meetings and maintain accurate records of decisions and actions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, organisational policies, health and safety requirements, and industry standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement through the promotion of best practice and lessons learned.

Essential

The Experience You Will Bring

• Degree qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering construction, property, infrastructure or capital projects from inception to completion and managing consultants, contractors and project budgets.
• Knowledge of NEC and/or JCT contracts and construction H&S requirements, incl CDM Regulations.
• Experience managing project risks, issues and project reporting.
• Strong communication, organisational and decision-making skills.

Desirable

• Professional qualifications or accreditation such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, CIOB, RICS or equivalent.
• Experience working within a local authority or wider public-sector environment, delivering education, SEND or other public-sector capital projects.
• Experience undertaking client-side roles such as Employer's Representative, Contract Administrator or NEC Project Manager.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.