Project Principal -Energy

Mott MacDonald; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual leave

Pension scheme

Life insurance

Private medical insurance

Annual professional subscription

Hybrid working

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Project Principal to lead major multidisciplinary FEED and Detailed Design projects across the UK and Europe in the energy sector. You will drive delivery of complex design work, manage risks, and enhance project management practices for efficient execution.

We value a proven track record in consultancy or engineering environments, strong stakeholder skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects with a focus on safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Recognised project management qualifications (e.g., APM PMQ, PRINCE2, PMP)
• A relevant degree in engineering, project management, or equivalent professional experience
• Evidence of delivering complex, multidisciplinary design projects in energy/consultancy environments
• Experience in change management, risk, schedule and cost management within project delivery
• Ability to make complex decisions and own actions, promoting health and wellbeing at work
• Strong communication and stakeholder management across teams and clients
• Awareness of commercial aspects including contract terms and NEC framework

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of multi-disciplinary design projects (civil, cable, substation, protection & control, secondary systems)
• Ensure delivery to scope, schedule, quality and budget
• Build relationships with senior client stakeholders and internal teams
• Establish clear communication across project teams
• Take ownership of problem-solving and decision-making throughout the lifecycle
• Manage internal and external commercial aspects including NEC contract administration
• Identify and mitigate project risks for client and business
• Promote health, safety, and wellbeing across all activities
• Manage multiple projects concurrently to tight deadlines

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organisational skills

Decision making

Collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

APM/PRINCE2/PMP awareness

Tools

NEC contract

Job description

Location/s: UK WIDE

Relocation supported: Not supported, but internal applications are welcome

Hiring manager contact: Caroline Pye

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

Overview Of The Role

Today, the realities of our world are transforming the energy sector at an unprecedented rate. The challenges of decarbonisation, energy security, climate change and digitalisation are continually shaping projects and how they are delivered. To do all of this, we need ambitious, like-minded individuals to join us and make a difference in the global response to climate change and provide the foundations for positive social and economic development.

Our Transmission and Distribution team within the Energy unit is expanding, and we’re looking for experienced Project Principals to lead major multidisciplinary FEED and Detailed Design projects. These projects support critical infrastructure upgrades across the UK and Europe, playing a key role in the energy transition.

In this role, you will not only lead the delivery of complex design projects but also contribute to enhancing our project management practices, driving excellence and efficiency across the business.

We’re looking for a capable and driven Project Manager with a strong foundation in project management. You’ll bring a proven track record of successfully delivering complex, multidisciplinary design projects, ideally within a technical or engineering environment.

Key responsibilities and duties will include

• Lead the successful delivery of multi-disciplinary design projects, including civils, cable, substation, protection & control, and secondary systems
• Ensure delivery to agreed scope, schedule, quality, and budget
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders and internal teams
• Establish clear and effective communication across project teams
• Take ownership of problem-solving and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle
• Controlling internal and external commercial aspects of projects, including contract administration (ideally NEC)
• Identify and mitigate project risks for both the client and the business
• Promote a culture of health, safety, and wellbeing across all project activities
• Work effectively on several projects concurrently to deliver to tight deadlines.

Candidate Specification

Essential:

• Recognised project management qualifications (e.g., APM PMQ, PRINCE2, PMP)
• A relevant degree in engineering, project management, or equivalent professional experience
• Proven success in the management and delivery of projects working for a consultancy, designer, a contractor, or major industry client within the energy sector;
• Knowledge and experience in approaches to change management, risk management, schedule and cost management, along with all other aspects of project management
• Ability to make complex decisions, ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to, accepting responsibility for own actions;
• Creates a work environment which promotes health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Appreciation of commercial sphere of project work including contract terms
• Strong organisational abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Collaborative skills: the job of Project Manager requires that they work with cross-functional teams, so it is vital that they can work with people from various backgrounds

Desirable:

• Experience in the Energy sector in particular Transmission and Distribution.
• Exposure to all phases of the project lifecycle, from concept through to delivery
• Experience of working with industry Contractors and managing the associated risk

We offer some fantastic benefits including

• Competitive annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Life insurance
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Private medical insurance
• Optional benefits via salary sacrifice (restaurant voucher/transport card/day care voucher)
• Continuous development opportunities – because we want you to thrive
• Agile/flexible working – because life isn’t 9-5
• Annual bonus scheme
• Wellbeing support including access to an independent Employer Assistance Scheme, wellbeing champions and access to learning and support resources
• Access to our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities
• The opportunity to make a difference; learn more about oursocial outcomes

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Energy

Discipline: Energy

Job Ref: 17701