Project Manager - Civil Engineering

Ceto Talent; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ceto Talent is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead civil engineering projects in the water and wastewater sector. You will oversee inception through to handover, coordinating clients, designers, site teams and subcontractors to deliver on time and within budget.

You will manage detailed programmes, control costs, and ensure CDM compliance while developing robust documentation and reporting to senior management.

Qualifications

• Proven PM/ Site Manager in civil engineering.
• Experience in water/wastewater infrastructure.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong cost control & reporting.
• CDM health & safety understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of multiple civil engineering projects, ensuring safe, timely and commercially successful execution.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, developing strong working relationships and ensuring clear communication around project progress, risks and delivery.
• Develop, manage and monitor detailed project programmes, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to delivery.
• Oversee Site Agents and operational teams, ensuring effective coordination, accountability and high performance across multiple live sites.
• Lead on health, safety and compliance, ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with CDM Regulations, company procedures and industry best practice.
• Develop and manage key project documentation, including RAMS, Quality Management Plans, Environmental Management Plans and Construction Phase Plans.
• Monitor and control project costs through structured commercial reporting, including CVR reviews, cost tracking, forecasting and financial performance analysis.
• Manage subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring performance, quality, programme adherence and commercial alignment.
• Identify and manage technical and operational risks, particularly when working around critical assets, live services and complex ground conditions.
• Provide clear and accurate progress reports to senior management, covering programme, risk, commercial performance and mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement across project delivery processes, introducing effective systems and controls to improve efficiency and performance.
• Manage projects from site establishment through to completion, commissioning and final handover.

Skills

Civil Engineering Knowledge

Project Management

Client Relationship Management

Budget & Cost Control

Team Leadership Across Sites

Risk & Compliance

Education

Civil Engineering Degree

ICE/CIOB/APM Membership

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Project Manager - Civil Engineering (Water & Wastewater)

Location: Apsley / Sites across the region

Department: Specialist Projects / Repetitive Delivery

Job Type: Permanent

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our Specialist Projects team, delivering a range of civil engineering projects across the water and wastewater sector.

This is a hands‑on, varied role suited to a Project Manager who enjoys being involved throughout the full project lifecycle — from initial inception, scope development and pre‑construction through to construction, commissioning and final handover.

Working closely with clients, designers, site teams, subcontractors and suppliers, you will take responsibility for delivering multiple projects safely, on programme, to specification and within budget.

You will provide both engineering and management support, ensuring projects are fully developed and appropriately documented before progressing into construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of multiple civil engineering projects, ensuring safe, timely and commercially successful execution.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, developing strong working relationships and ensuring clear communication around project progress, risks and delivery.
• Develop, manage and monitor detailed project programmes, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to delivery.
• Oversee Site Agents and operational teams, ensuring effective coordination, accountability and high performance across multiple live sites.
• Lead on health, safety and compliance, ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with CDM Regulations, company procedures and industry best practice.
• Develop and manage key project documentation, including RAMS, Quality Management Plans, Environmental Management Plans and Construction Phase Plans.
• Monitor and control project costs through structured commercial reporting, including CVR reviews, cost tracking, forecasting and financial performance analysis.
• Manage subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring performance, quality, programme adherence and commercial alignment.
• Identify and manage technical and operational risks, particularly when working around critical assets, live services and complex ground conditions.
• Provide clear and accurate progress reports to senior management, covering programme, risk, commercial performance and mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement across project delivery processes, introducing effective systems and controls to improve efficiency and performance.
• Manage projects from site establishment through to completion, commissioning and final handover.

About You

We are looking for an experienced civil engineering professional with a proven track record of managing projects within the utilities, infrastructure, civil engineering, water or wastewater sectors.

You will be confident working across multiple projects and comfortable balancing operational, technical, commercial and client-facing responsibilities.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Project Manager or experienced Site Manager within civil engineering, utilities or infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of civil engineering construction methods, ideally within water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Experience delivering water/wastewater projects is highly desirable, although relevant experience from other infrastructure sectors will be considered.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and operational teams.
• Strong commercial and financial management skills, including cost control, forecasting and margin management.
• Proven ability to manage project costs and contribute to accurate commercial performance reporting.
• Experience managing subcontractors and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working within complex construction environments involving live services, existing infrastructure and high‑risk assets.
• Strong understanding of CDM Regulations, health and safety and construction compliance.
• Excellent client relationship management and stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to develop, manage and monitor detailed construction programmes.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and coordinate teams across multiple sites.
• Good working knowledge of project reporting systems and Microsoft Excel.
• A proactive approach to problem solving, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering projects safely, on programme and within budget.

Essential Qualifications

• SMSTS
• CSCS Card
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• Experience using Microsoft Project or similar planning software.
• Membership of a professional body such as ICE, CIOB or APM.
• A61 Appointed Person (AP)
• NRSWA Supervisor

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who takes ownership, works collaboratively and is committed to delivering high-quality projects.

You will be:

• Results-driven - focused on delivering safe, successful projects and creating a positive impact.
• Responsible and accountable - able to take ownership of decisions, risks, quality and commercial performance.
• Innovative - willing to challenge existing processes and identify better ways of working.
• A strong team player - able to build effective relationships with clients, colleagues, subcontractors and stakeholders.
• Organised and proactive - able to manage competing priorities across multiple live projects.
• Commercially aware - confident managing budgets, costs, forecasts and project performance.

Additional Information

The role will involve working across multiple project sites, with occasional travel required.

There may be occasions where work outside standard hours is required to meet project requirements.

A full UK driving licence is essential.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a basic DBS check.