Senior Programme Manager

Barhale; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm based in Peterborough seeks a Senior Programme Manager to oversee a major investment programme valued between £500m and £750m. The role entails providing strategic leadership, ensuring delivery targets are met, and fostering stakeholder relationships. Ideal candidates should have a degree in engineering or quantity surveying and proven experience in delivering large capital programmes. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company Pension

Private Medical

25 days annual leave

Leadership training

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified (Engineering, Quantity Surveying or similar) OR equivalent experience.
• Strong background in multi-disciplined construction delivery.
• Proven leadership of large, complex capital programmes.
• Track record of achieving budget, safety and performance outcomes.
• Ability to develop business plans, lead change and inspire high performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead health, safety and wellbeing performance across the programme area.
• Ensure successful delivery of all projects to scope, schedule, quality and cost targets.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across stakeholders.
• Drive the adoption of innovative materials, methods and technologies.
• Champion talent development and succession planning.

Skills

Strong stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in Engineering or Quantity Surveying

Job description

About Barhale

Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:

• Water
• Transport
• Built environment
• Energy

We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long‑term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.

Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.

We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:

• Tunnelling
• MEICA
• Temporary and permanent design
• Steel‑fabrication
• Signs (design and fabrication)
• Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE

Company Website

https://www.barhale.co.uk/

Company Showcase Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqsoclCUZA

Why join Barhale?

• As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
• Job security, long‑term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
• A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients
• Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success

Senior Programme Manager

The Role

Here within the @one Alliance, we are a totally collaborative organisation made up of our eight partner companies (Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, MMB, MWH Treatment, Skanska and SWECO) and our extended supply chain, delivering over half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme.

We are now in our most exciting and challenging Asset Management Period yet, known as AMP 8, which will see us deliver a programme of work larger than we’ve ever delivered before. We are driving change, empowering us to set global benchmarks and build a better environment, with the opportunity to offer enhanced growth and development to our workforce. We’re looking to build on our existing teams with an environment for career progression.

We are now seeking an exceptional Senior Programme Manager to lead the successful delivery of a major, multi‑year investment programme valued between £500m and £750m.

Reporting to the Business Unit Delivery Director, you’ll provide strategic leadership across a multidisciplinary team, guiding programmes from early inception through design, construction, commissioning and final handover.

This role is central to the performance and evolution of the @one Alliance — combining leadership, delivery excellence, commercial acumen, stakeholder influence and a passionate commitment to safety, innovation and people.

You’ll also play a key leadership role on the Water Business Unit Leadership Team, shaping the culture, strategy and success of the alliance.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery Leadership

• Lead world‑class health, safety and wellbeing performance across your programme area
• Develop delivery strategies that align with Anglian Water’s Business Plan
• Ensure successful delivery of all projects to scope, schedule, quality and cost targets
• Oversee governance, ensuring a consistent “Right First Time” approach
• Ensure capable teams are deployed to deliver exceptional results

Commercial & Financial Performance

• Achieve growth targets across turnover, gainshare and programme pool
• Implement routes to efficiency and drive cost‑effective solutions
• Manage annual budgets, forecasts and financial controls
• Support robust supply chain strategies that deliver capacity and capability

Stakeholder & Communication Excellence

• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across Anglian Water, @one partners, suppliers and regulators
• Ensure clear, consistent communication frameworks across all stakeholders
• Represent the programme at senior forums, boards and leadership groups

Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Drive the adoption of innovative materials, methods and technologies
• Embed digital systems that enhance safety, performance and efficiency
• Champion continuous improvement and share best practices across the alliance

People, Culture & Inclusion

• Lead diverse, high‑performing teams with openness, trust and collaboration
• Champion talent development and succession planning aligned to @one’s people strategy
• Promote a culture of inclusion, exploration and empowerment
• Embed behaviours that support wellbeing and safer working

About you

Essential

• Degree‑qualified (Engineering, Quantity Surveying or similar) OR equivalent experience
• Strong background in multi‑disciplined construction delivery
• Proven leadership of large, complex capital programmes
• Track record of achieving budget, safety and performance outcomes
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to develop business plans, lead change and inspire high performance
• Commercial awareness and experience driving customer‑focused benefits
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and negotiation skills

Caring and investing in you

Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people‑centric company.

As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.

From the moment you join us, your well‑being and career aspirations will be supported by.

• Competitive salary
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical
• 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
• 8 hours volunteering
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
• Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
• Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
• Leadership & management training and coaching
• Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
• Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
• Continuous service awards

Would you like to know more?

Please contact our Recruitment team via [e-mail]