Senior Project Manager

Calco Recruitment; Horton; On-site; GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental contractor is seeking a Senior Project Manager for water and wastewater projects in the Thames Valley and Essex region. This office-based role involves managing a portfolio valued at £10-£15 million, overseeing a small team of Project Managers, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Civil Engineering or significant experience, strong project management skills, and a background in wastewater/sewer infrastructure. This position includes regular site visits to monitor project progress and implementation of sustainability practices.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or substantial experience in civil engineering related to water/wastewater.
• Strong background in wastewater/sewer infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously with a portfolio scale of £5-£15 million.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of projects with a combined value of £10-£15 million.
• Lead and oversee a small team of 3-4 Project Managers.
• Oversee all phases of project delivery, ensuring compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Water / Wastewater Division

Location: Office-based (Slough) (Thames Valley / Essex), with regular site visits (min. once per site per month)

Salary: ~£70,000 + bonus + car allowance

About the Company (Water Division)

Our client is a leading environmental and civil-engineering contractor with over 50 years of experience in water, drainage, and sewer infrastructure across the UK and Ireland.

They specialise in “no-dig” / trenchless technology (pipe and sewer relining, CCTV inspection, robotic cutting, pipeline access, culvert & tunnel rehabilitation, and full drainage/sewer maintenance services) for a wide range of clients — from governments and local authorities to commercial and residential sectors.

The business is part of a larger group that, as of 2025, employs some 180+ people across multiple UK and Ireland locations.

In recent years, the company has secured significant framework contracts — including a ~£15 million contract for water/wastewater network services awarded 2025 for reactive maintenance, sewer cleaning and general network servicing works.

Their project turnover spans a broad spectrum, from small repair jobs to multi-million-pound rehabilitation and infrastructure renewal works.

Operating with advanced trenchless and civil-engineering techniques, the company emphasises sustainability, minimal disruption, and long-term infrastructure performance — providing trusted turnkey solutions to clients across the UK and Ireland.

Role Overview — Senior Project Manager

We are seeking a driven Senior Project Manager to lead a portfolio of water and wastewater projects (predominantly sewer and drainage rehabilitation / installation / maintenance) across the Thames Valley and Essex region. This role involves both office-based project planning, management and coordination — and regular site/client visits (minimum monthly site visits per project).

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of projects with combined value in the region of £10 million-£15 million.
• Lead and oversee a small team of 3-4 Project Managers (staff and subcontractors), providing guidance, support and oversight of their project delivery.
• Oversee all phases of project delivery: feasibility / design review, planning, execution, monitoring, handover and close-out, ensuring compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Manage interface and communications with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, local authorities and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure efficient resource allocation across projects, including scheduling, manpower, materials, subcontractors, and budget control.
• Report regularly to senior management on project status, risks, forecasts, and delivery performance.
• Conduct regular site visits (minimum once per month per site) to monitor progress, compliance, quality, and safety.
• Promote and implement company's trenchless/no-dig methodology and sustainability principles, supporting long-term infrastructure integrity and minimal environmental disruption.

Candidate Profile / Requirements

Essential

• Degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent) — or substantial proven experience in civil engineering relevant to water/wastewater projects.
• Strong background in wastewater / sewer infrastructure projects (rehabilitation, maintenance, relining, drainage systems). Experience with clean-water systems may be considered if candidate has relevant pipeline / lining / infrastructure experience.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, ideally with a project portfolio of similar scale (£5 - £15 m).
• Experience in supervising and mentoring other PMs or project engineers.
• Knowledge of trenchless technologies (pipe relining, CIPP or similar lining systems, no-dig methods), sewer & drainage maintenance, and associated health & safety and environmental regulations.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, ability to manage budgets, resources, timelines and risks.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills — capable of liaising with clients, subcontractors, internal teams.
• Self‑motivated, decisive, with strong problem‑solving skills, and ability to maintain oversight across multiple sites.
• Willingness and ability to travel regionally (Thames Valley, Essex) for site visits.

Desirable

• Experience specifically in trenchless / no‑dig sewer/pipeline rehabilitation or relining.
• Familiarity with wastewater networks and maintenance contracts, including reactive maintenance and long‑term framework agreements.
• Understanding of UK water‑sector compliance standards, environmental and health & safety legislation.
• Financial acumen — able to manage project budgets, forecasting, cost control.