Senior Project Manager

ESP Utilities Group; Bedford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Utilities Group is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of complex multi-utility infrastructure projects within our Major Projects division.

You will oversee HV/EHV electrical networks up to 132kV, manage budgets and risk, and ensure CDM compliance while guiding junior staff and aligning with NEC4/JCT contracts and APM frameworks.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years' experience delivering utility, infrastructure or civil engineering projects.
• Experience with HV/EHV electrical infrastructure up to 132kV.
• Proven ability to manage programmes using NEC4/JCT contracts.
• Strong leadership and cross-disciplinary stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, monitoring and close-out of major multi-utility projects up to 132kV.
• Develop integrated delivery programmes with critical path analysis.
• Manage budgets, forecasts and cost reporting in line with NEC4/JCT contracts.
• Coordinate clients, statutory undertakers, designers and subcontractors.

Skills

Senior leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Contract management

Planning & scheduling

Education

Degree in Engineering/Construction Management

APM PMQ / PRINCE2 Practitioner

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

SharePoint

Power BI

Excel

Job description

ESP is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Project Manager to join its successful business to lead the end-to-end delivery of complex multi-utility infrastructure projects within our Major Projects proposition.

The role will include oversight of major electrical infrastructure projects, including EHV/HV cable networks, primary substations and grid connection infrastructure up to and including 132kV.

You will be joining a highly successful and growing team, committed to high delivery standards and a customer-centric mindset.

This is a senior leadership role aligned to the Association for Project Management (APM) Body of Knowledge 7th Edition and the APM Competence Framework, requiring demonstrable experience managing large-scale programmes under NEC/JCT contractual frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible, amongst other tasks, for:

• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and close-out of major multi-utility infrastructure projects, including HV/EHV electrical networks up to and including 132kV, potable water, wastewater, district heating/cooling, EV infrastructure and associated civil engineering works.
• Develop and maintain integrated delivery programmes with critical path analysis and milestone tracking aligned to the APM Planning, Scheduling, Monitoring and Control competency.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting in line with the APM Budgeting and Cost Management competency, including early identification of compensation events under NEC4 and JCT contracts.
• Lead multi-stakeholder coordination across clients, statutory undertakers (UKPN, Anglian Water, Network Rail), designers, and subcontractors, demonstrating APM Stakeholder Management competencies.
• Apply structured risk management aligned to the APM Risk Management competency, maintaining live risk registers with quantified impact assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure full CDM 2015 compliance including oversight of Pre-Construction Information, Construction Phase Plans, and the Health and Safety File.
• Lead pre-construction planning activities, ensuring scope, programme, risk, constructability and stakeholder requirements are fully considered prior to project delivery.
• Lead the planning, delivery, testing and commissioning of complex electrical infrastructure works, including HV/EHV cable installations, primary substations and associated grid connection infrastructure up to and including 132kV.
• Manage electrical network interfaces with DNOs, IDNOs, ICPs and specialist electrical contractors, ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards, technical specifications and energisation requirements.
• Manage third-party consents and asset adoption processes, including Network Rail BAPA/APA approvals, Section 104/106 agreements and compliance with relevant utility accreditation schemes such as NERS and WIRS.
• Lead contract administration, including Early Warnings, Compensation Events and change control.
• Manage interfaces between utility packages and wider construction works, ensuring programme alignment and avoidance of clashes.
• Provide project governance and reporting to senior leadership on programme, cost, risk, safety and quality performance.
• Oversee testing, commissioning and handover of utility assets to operational teams and adopting authorities.
• Mentor and develop junior project staff, fostering professional development consistent with APM’s emphasis on leadership and people management.

Person Specification

• Confident managing multiple priorities and competing demands, maintaining a high level of professionalism, organisation and accountability.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to perform effectively in changing, uncertain or challenging circumstances.
• Able to deliver quality outcomes within demanding timescales, whilst maintaining a strong attention to detail and focus on project objectives.
• Strong communicator with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate successfully across multidisciplinary teams and with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proactive and self-motivated, demonstrating sound judgement, initiative and a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Commercially aware with the ability to manage risk, challenge constructively and support informed decision-making.
• Highly numerate and proficient in Microsoft Office and project management systems.
• Able to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally, exercising discretion and professionalism when handling commercially sensitive information.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, capable of driving performance and fostering a positive, collaborative team environment.

Key Skills & Experience

• Minimum 7 years' experience delivering utility, infrastructure or civil engineering projects, with responsibility for programme, cost, risk and stakeholder management.
• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Proven experience delivering infrastructure works within large-scale mixed-use developments, regeneration programmes or major utility projects.
• Proven experience delivering HV and EHV electrical infrastructure projects up to and including 132kV, including cable installations, primary substations, switchgear, protection systems and associated civil engineering works.
• Demonstrable experience managing the planning, construction, testing, commissioning and energisation of electrical infrastructure projects up to and including 132kV.
• Experience managing statutory undertaker interfaces and approvals, including organisations such as DNOs, water companies, Network Rail and local authorities.
• Experience managing utility diversions, new connections, asset adoptions and third-party approvals.
• Experience managing interfaces with DNOs, IDNOs, ICPs and National Grid / transmission network operators in relation to grid connections, outages, energisation activities and network approvals.
• Strong understanding of NEC4 and/or JCT contracts, including change control, compensation events and commercial management principles.
• Experience developing, managing and reporting project programmes using MS Project and/or Primavera P6.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors and specialist utility providers through all phases of project delivery.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including advanced Excel skills for project reporting and analysis.
• Knowledge of CDM 2015 requirements.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites as required.
• APM PMQ, ChPP, PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent project management qualification.
• Membership of APM, IET or another relevant professional institution.
• SMSTS and CSCS Manager Card.
• Knowledge of utility industry accreditation schemes and adoption processes, including NERS, WIRS and district energy/heat network standards.
• Experience using SharePoint, Power BI and project controls/reporting systems.