Senior Project Manager

Vivo Defence; Catterick Garrison; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

VIVO seeks an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead a diverse portfolio of Billable Works projects across the Defence estate in the UK. You will manage and develop a regional team of Project Managers, delivering complex construction and refurbishment programmes on time, within budget and to high quality standards.

You will oversee planning, budgeting, contractor performance, CDM compliance and RAMS, while collaborating with DIO, military representatives and end users to meet operational

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in construction, infrastructure or facilities management projects.
• Experience leading project teams and delivering programmes to KPI timelines.
• Ability to manage budgets, risks and supply chain performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of regional Billable Works programme within Defence estate.
• Mentor and develop a team of Project Managers across the region.
• Ensure compliance with CDM, RAMS, and HSE requirements.
• Build strong relationships with customers, DIO representatives and operational teams.
• Provide trusted advisory support to customers and stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Budgeting

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

HND or equivalent (Building/Civil/Elec/Mech Eng)

SMSTS or equivalent health & safety qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At VIVO, we deliver facilities management and infrastructure services across the Defence estate, helping to create safe, sustainable and operationally effective environments where our Armed Forces live, work and train. We're looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of Billable Works projects while managing and developing a team of Project Managers across your geographical area.

This is a fantastic opportunity to combine strategic leadership with hands-on project delivery, taking ownership of complex construction, refurbishment and infrastructure programmes that directly support Defence capability. You'll play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards, while building strong relationships with customers, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) representatives and operational teams.

You'll oversee the planning, coordination and delivery of the regional Billable Works programme, ensuring projects comply with statutory legislation, MOD requirements and VIVO's health, safety and environmental standards. Alongside managing your own portfolio of projects, you'll lead, mentor and support a team of Project Managers, helping them deliver outstanding results while developing their technical capability and professional confidence.

Working closely with supply chain partners, contractors and stakeholders, you'll monitor project performance, review programmes, manage budgets and ensure all commercial, contractual and technical objectives are achieved. You'll oversee contractor performance, ensuring CDM responsibilities, RAMS, site inspections, inductions and safe systems of work are consistently applied across every project.

You'll act as a trusted advisor to customers, working collaboratively with DIO Programme Managers, military representatives and end users to understand operational priorities and develop practical, value-for-money solutions that meet both current and future estate requirements. You'll also identify opportunities to support the MOD's Net Zero carbon reduction targets by embedding sustainable solutions into project delivery wherever possible.

A key part of the role will involve managing risk, resolving project challenges and ensuring all Billable Works documentation is completed accurately and maintained in accordance with VIVO processes. You'll provide clear reporting on project progress, budgets and performance while ensuring financial commitments and delivery milestones are achieved.

As a senior leader within the business, you'll champion continuous improvement, driving high standards across your team while creating a positive environment where people are supported to grow and succeed. You'll ensure regular performance reviews and development plans are in place for your Project Managers, sharing best practice and encouraging continuous professional development to strengthen capability across the wider team.

You'll have significant experience managing construction, infrastructure or facilities management projects, together with a proven track record of leading operational teams and successfully delivering programmes of work against demanding KPIs, budgets and timescales.

You’ll be a confident and collaborative leader with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of building trusted relationships with customers, Defence stakeholders, contractors and colleagues alike. You’ll enjoy developing people, providing technical guidance and creating an environment where your team can thrive while delivering exceptional service.

You’ll have strong experience managing project budgets, forecasting costs, mitigating risks and ensuring compliance with CDM regulations, health and safety legislation and safe systems of work. You’ll be commercially aware, solutions-focused and comfortable making informed decisions that balance operational priorities with customer expectations and value for money.

You’ll hold an HND or equivalent qualification in Building, Civil Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, alongside a management-level Health & Safety qualification such as SMSTS. Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office applications, are essential, together with a commitment to continuing professional development.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to lead high-profile projects, develop talented project managers and make a lasting impact across one of the UK's most important estates, we’d love to hear from you.

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

What we do

We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.