Project Manager- Rail (Design)

Morson Talent; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Morson Talent is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the Travel Hub Programme, delivering major infrastructure design activities from planning to detailed design. You will manage the design consultant, ensure robust governance, and drive programme milestones across Network Rail and TfGM interfaces.

The role requires strong commercial awareness, governance understanding, and the ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex transport projects on time.

Qualifications

• Experience managing the design phase of major infrastructure, rail, highways, or transport projects.
• Strong understanding of design management processes from planning through to detailed design.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of day-to-day management of the appointed design consultant for the Senior Project Manager.
• Manage design consultant to develop and deliver revised planning submission for Hindley Travel Hub.
• Oversee Outline Design package production and ensure milestones, quality, and programme alignment.
• Manage monthly project reporting, commercial performance, and consultant deliverables.
• Coordinate tender documentation for detailed design phase and assist in agreeing contract terms.
• Drive timely project approvals, including Network Rail AIP, per milestones.
• Mobilise and commence Detailed Design phase with effective coordination of stakeholders.
• Provide guidance to Senior Project Manager during detailed design and early delivery phases.
• Monitor programme performance, risks, issues and consultant performance with mitigations.
• Build strong relationships with Network Rail, TfGM, local authorities, consultants, and project team.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Governance

Design management

Infrastructure experience

Contract administration

Communication

Programme reporting

Job description

Project Manager - Travel Hub Programme

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to support the delivery of a major Travel Hub infrastructure scheme. Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the appointed design consultant, ensuring the successful progression of design activities from planning through to detailed design. The role requires strong stakeholder management, commercial awareness, and experience delivering complex infrastructure or transport projects, with a focus on programme delivery, governance, and design management.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day management of the appointed design consultant on behalf of the Senior Project Manager.
• Manage the design consultant to ensure the successful development and delivery of the revised planning submission for the Hindley Travel Hub.
• Oversee the production and successful submission of the Outline Design package, ensuring project milestones, quality standards, and programme requirements are achieved.
• Manage monthly project reporting, commercial performance, and consultant deliverables.
• Coordinate and collate tender documentation for the detailed design phase, supporting the agreement of contract terms through the Senior Project Manager.
• Drive the timely achievement of key project approvals, including securing Network Rail Approval in Principle (AIP) in line with programme milestones.
• Lead the mobilisation and commencement of the Detailed Design phase, ensuring effective coordination between project stakeholders and consultants.
• Provide guidance and support to the Senior Project Manager during the detailed design and early delivery phases of the project.
• Monitor programme performance, risks, issues, and consultant performance, implementing mitigation measures where required.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including Network Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), local authorities, consultants, and the wider project team.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing the design phase of major infrastructure, rail, highways, or transport projects.
• Strong understanding of design management processes from planning through to detailed design.
• Experience managing external consultants and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Knowledge of Network Rail governance and approval processes, including Approval in Principle (AIP), is highly desirable.
• Experience of procurement, contract administration, and commercial management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong programme management, reporting, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver against key project milestones.

Desirable

• Experience delivering transport interchange or travel hub projects.
• Familiarity with TfGM, local authority, or public sector infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of NEC contracts and infrastructure project governance.
• APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management qualification.