Project Manager - Higher Education, Labs & Museums

Arcadis; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead construction and refurbishment projects across Higher Education, laboratories, and museums in the UK. You will oversee on-site delivery, coordinate trades, and manage budgets while ensuring safety and technical compliance.

You will work with estates teams, academics, curators, and contractors, bringing hands-on construction knowledge to occupied environments and complex access constraints.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience managing construction or refurbishment projects within Higher Education, laboratories, or museums.
• Strong ability to engage with tradespeople, contractors, clients, and internal teams.
• Familiarity with construction health and safety requirements (CDM, risk management, permits).
• Construction qualifications (MAPM or equivalent) preferred; CIOB/RICS/HNC/HND welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Manage construction delivery on Higher Education, laboratory, and museum projects, coordinating multiple trades and subcontractors on live, occupied sites.
• Oversee scopes of work, contractor engagement, site supervision, and quality control to ensure compliance with technical specifications and safety standards.
• Lead site coordination meetings, manage programme schedules, and track budgets ensuring projects stay on time and within financial targets.
• Work closely with estates teams, academic staff, curators, and other stakeholders to handle challenges of operating in sensitive environments.
• Identify and manage risks or issues early, escalating where necessary to senior management to maintain project momentum.

Skills

Confident communicator

Stakeholder engagement

Time and cost management

Education

MAPM or equivalent

CIOB / RICS / HNC-HND

Job description

Arcadis is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead construction and refurbishment projects across Higher Education, laboratories, and museums in the UK. You will oversee on-site delivery, coordinate trades, and manage budgets while ensuring safety and technical compliance.

You will work with estates teams, academics, curators, and contractors, bringing hands-on construction knowledge to occupied environments and complex access constraints.