Senior Project Manager

UK Dementia Research Institute; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 Days holiday

Relocation scheme

On-site gym

CARE pension

Cycle to work scheme

Season ticket loan

Job summary

University College London (UCL) is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead refurbishment and new-build projects within a large, occupied estate in London. You will act as the UCL client, coordinating internal and external teams to deliver projects on time, to budget and to the required quality standards.

The role requires a proven track record in major projects (£20m+), on-site presence in London, and knowledge of JCT/NEC contracts.

Qualifications

• Background in managing construction projects within a large, occupied estate.
• Qualification in Project Management or a relevant technical construction discipline.
• Experience of managing major projects (over £20 million) from inception to completion.
• Knowledge of Planning Acts, Building Regulations, Building Safety Act, Health & Safety at Work Act and CDM Regulations.
• Ability to work on-site in London at least 4 days per week.
• Experience delivering projects with end-user agreement to an approved budget and reporting.
• Knowledge of standard building contracts (JCT and NEC).

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of refurbishment and new-build projects within a large occupied estate.
• Coordinate an internal team with a multi-disciplinary external team to manage the project lifecycle.
• Ensure governance compliance and manage time, cost, quality, safety, and risk.
• Develop and manage the project programme from inception to occupancy following gate processes.
• Work with Estates Strategy Managers to set strategic direction and ensure high-quality outcomes.

Job description

Ref Number B28-00303 Professional Expertise Estates, Facilities, Accommodation and Safety Department Finance, Commercial and Estates (B28) Location London Working Pattern Full time Salary £68,284-£76,244 Contract Type Permanent Working Type Hybrid Available for Secondment No Closing Date 07-Sept-2026

About us

The UCL Estate comprises over 240 buildings, more than 6.5 million square feet of academic accommodation and around 4500 owned student bedrooms. The location, scale, variety and complexity of the estate are unparalleled in the Higher Education sector, including world-leading research, teaching, offices and student accommodation within our Bloomsbury and UCL East campus, at Stratford.

Together, Campus Experience and Infrastructure and Estates Development (CE&I and ED) is responsible for managing all aspects of the UCL Estate from the strategic to the operational, including property asset management, master-planning, capital projects and seamless end to end operational support. The function comprises approximately 350 FM and property professionals, project managers and customer facing operational colleagues. From providing student accommodation, security and catering, to delivering an estates masterplan and all forms of capital projects in a sustainable manner. We are a collective of technical professionals who work together to deliver a resilient, functional, and vibrant estate.

About the role

We currently require a dynamic Senior Project Manager will be responsible for successful implementation of a diverse range of refurbishment and new build projects including roles supporting delivery within the major project portfolio. The post holder will act as the UCL client and deliver first class projects, forming the necessary links between all involved parties. The post holder will ensure effective and efficient programme management from project inception to completion, meeting or exceeding briefs, budget control and delivery of quality products.

The post involves leading an internal team supported by a multi-disciplinary external team whose primary responsibility is to manage the overall process of project delivery ensuring compliance with governance processes, ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place with teams to achieve safety, time, cost and quality parameters. The projects range to more than £200m+ albeit the typical range is in the £2m to £20m+ range.
You will work closely with Estates Strategy Managers during the establishment of the strategic direction and concept design, and then deliver projects to the highest quality and standards, be accountable for and managing the project programme delivery processes from RIBA Stage 2 Developed Design through to Stage 7, occupancy following UCL stage gate processes.

About you

Things you'll need in order to do this job include:

• A background and track record of managing construction projects (including new build, refurbishments and improvements) within a large, complex, occupied estate involving a wide range of building types and stakeholders through demonstrable works
• An appropriate qualification in Project Management, or a relevant technical construction discipline
• Experience of managing major projects i.e. over £20 million leading from inception to completion
• A practical knowledge and application of statutory regulations relating to Planning Acts, Building Regulations, Building Safety Act, Health & Safety at Work Act and Construction Design Management Regulations
• The ability to work on-site in London at least 4 days per week
• Delivering projects with agreement of end users to an approved budget regularly and appropriately reporting on
• A good knowledge of relevant standard forms of building contract including JCT and NEC
• A practical knowledge and application of statutory regulations relating to Planning Acts, Building Regulations, Building Safety Act, Health & Safety at Work Act and Construction Design Management Regulations

The following qualifications and experience, although not essential would be highly advantageous:

• Member of Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), Incorporated or Chartered Engineer (IEng, CEng), Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
• Experience of delivering teaching laboratories, research laboratories and other similar highly serviced functional spaces
• Experience of working within a Project Management team on a major project

Please review the JD, paying particular attention to the Essential and Desirable criteria, and ensure these are addressed in your application.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.