Project Manager - Design & Build, Manchester

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 10% pension contribution

24 days annual leave (+ up to 10 extra

Private medical insurance

Income protection

Flexible and hybrid working

Specialist expertise across the UK and

Job summary

Jacobs in Manchester is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead complex programmes across sectors, from planning through to delivery. You’ll own project programmes, budgets and risk registers, chair project meetings and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to meet safety, quality and client expectations.

You'll work in a hybrid model with 2 days in the office, engage with clients and stakeholders, support commercial management and business development, and progress toward senior leadership

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, architecture, project management, or related discipline.
• APM membership or similar body (Student/Associate).
• Apprenticeship qualification with relevant engineering, construction, design or project delivery experience.
• Exposure to NEC3 or NEC4 contracts is a strong advantage.
• Experience in consultancy or professional services delivering building/design projects.

Responsibilities

• Developing and managing project programmes, budgets and risk registers.
• Leading project meetings and monitoring project performance.
• Managing client communications and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensuring deliverables are completed safely, efficiently and to quality standards.
• Contributing to commercial management and supporting business development.
• Involved throughout full project lifecycle from planning to handover and close-out.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Degree in engineering, architecture, project management, or related discipline

APM or similar body member (Student/Associate)

Apprenticeship with relevant engineering/construction experience

Tools

NEC3/NEC4 contracts

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're helping to create places where people live, learn, work and connect. Across the UK, our Places & Buildings teams deliver projects that make a real difference to communities and the built environment.

We're looking for Project Managers to join our growing team in Manchester. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with somewhat established project management experience who are looking to take the next step in their career, broaden their project exposure and develop towards Senior Project Manager and leadership roles.

As a Project Manager at Jacobs, you'll take ownership of projects or key project workstreams, working alongside experienced Project Managers, architects, engineers and technical specialists to successfully deliver complex programmes across a variety of sectors. You'll play a key role in managing project performance, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include developing and managing project programmes, budgets and risk registers, leading project meetings, monitoring project performance, managing client communications, coordinating technical teams and ensuring project deliverables are completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards. You'll also contribute to commercial management activities, support business development opportunities where appropriate and help identify solutions to project challenges as they arise.

You’ll be involved throughout the full project lifecycle, from early planning and design stages through to construction, handover and project close‑out. This role offers the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility while working on projects that vary in size, complexity and sector.

At Jacobs we work across a diverse portfolio of sectors and clients, delivering projects across healthcare, defence, education, science and technology, commercial developments, transportation and wider infrastructure. Our clients span Central Government, Local Authorities and private sector organisations across the UK and internationally.

You’ll gain exposure to interesting and complex projects that help shape communities and critical infrastructure across the UK. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you’ll apply your existing project management experience while continuing to develop your commercial, technical and leadership capabilities.

We're looking for someone who enjoys working with people, is naturally organised and can confidently manage competing priorities within a project environment. You'll likely have experience within consultancy, engineering, construction, design management or the wider built environment, with a proven ability to coordinate stakeholders, manage project delivery and contribute to positive client outcomes.

Successful candidates will typically be involved in

• Managing projects or project workstreams from inception through to completion.
• Developing and maintaining project programmes, budgets and resource plans.
• Managing risks, issues, dependencies and change control processes.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary design and delivery teams.
• Building and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Preparing project reports, performance updates and governance documentation.
• Supporting commercial management, forecasting and project controls activities.
• Facilitating project meetings, workshops and decision‑making forums.
• Ensuring compliance with quality, safety and governance requirements.
• Supporting bids, proposals and wider business development activities where appropriate.
• Mentoring junior team members and contributing to a collaborative team environment.

At Jacobs, career development isn't an afterthought. You'll be supported by experienced colleagues, encouraged to take on increasing responsibility and given opportunities to grow your technical, commercial and leadership skills. Whether your ambition is to become a Senior Project Manager, Programme Manager, Project Director or eventually lead major programmes, we'll help you build the experience and confidence to get there.

If you're looking for a role where you'll work on complex projects, collaborate with industry experts and continue building a rewarding long‑term career in project management, we'd love to hear from you.

Roles are based in Manchester – Hybrid 2 days office attendance will be required.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Degree in engineering, architecture, project management, or a related discipline.
• Or an Apprenticeship qualification combined with relevant experience in engineering, construction, design, infrastructure or project delivery environments.
• Student or Associate membership of the Association for Project Management (APM) or similar recognised body.
• Exposure to NEC3 or NEC4 contracts is a strong advantage.
• Project management experience within a consultancy or professional services environment, supporting the delivery of building, construction, design or design‑and‑build projects.

Alongside meaningful and varied work, we offer

• Up to 10% pension contribution
• 24 days annual leave plus the option to buy up to 10 additional days
• Private medical insurance
• Income protection
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Access to specialist expertise across the UK and globally
• Clear opportunities for career growth and progression + much more!

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally

Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.