Senior Project Manager

South East Water; Snodland; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Life assurance

Wellbeing related benefits

5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead a flagship water infrastructure program, including a reservoir, treatment works, pipelines, and pumping stations. You will manage a £500m+ portfolio, drive on-time, on-budget delivery, and administer NEC contracts with PPP/PFI considerations.

The role requires expert governance, risk management, and liaison with regulators. You will lead cross-disciplinary teams to ensure high-quality delivery and compliance with CDM 2015, reporting to

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Construction/Project Management or equivalent practical experience.
• NEC3/NEC4 Project Manager Accreditation (ECC) or hands-on NEC3/NEC4 ECC management experience.
• PM qualifications (APM PMQ/PPQ, PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner) and/or Chartered Status (ICE/IMeChE).
• History of delivering large infrastructure projects on time and within budget.
• Knowledge of HSE regulations and CDM 2015.
• Proficient in budgeting, cost control, and financial forecasting for big CAPEX/OPEX projects.
• Strong planning, organizing, and scheduling using MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Direct the entire project lifecycle from initiation to closure for a major clean water infrastructure program.
• Lead stakeholder management with regulators, contractors, customers, and authorities.
• Administer NEC4 contracts, handle compensation events, early warnings, programme submissions and final accounts.
• Oversee risk, quality, and safety, ensuring CDM 2015 compliance and HSE culture across teams.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams and ensure regulatory submissions are gated and approved.

Skills

NEC4 Project Manager Accreditation

PM qualifications (APM/PPQ/PMP/PRINCE2

Chartered Status (ICE/IMechE)

Deliver large infrastructure projects

HSE/CDM 2015 compliance

MS Project proficiency

Budget management & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Contract governance (NEC contracts)

Leadership & multi-disciplinary team"

Education

Degree in Civil/Mechanical Engineering or Construction/PM

NEC3/NEC4 accreditation (education/certification)

Chartered Status (ICE/IMechE)

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Summary:

Are you an experienced Senior Project Manager ready to head a major flagship water infrastructure project?

Do you have the expertise to manage a £500m+ portfolio across complex PPP/PFI frameworks and NEC contracts?

We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to take ownership of a major workstream within a landmark clean water infrastructure scheme, encompassing a new reservoir, water treatment works, pipelines, and pumping stations.

Reporting directly to the Head of Major Projects, you will be fully accountable for driving safe, on‑time, and on‑budget delivery across a portfolio valued at approximately £500m. This role demands strong commercial and contractual acumen‑specifically in administering NEC contracts and navigating PPP/PFI finance structures‑alongside technical assurance skills to oversee planning, resourcing, and quality from concept to completion.

In addition to day‑to‑day contract governance and technical oversight, you will act as the principal lead for complex risk management and high‑level stakeholder engagement. You will align multi‑disciplinary engineering teams, contractor partners, and regulatory bodies to ensure rigorous quality standards, clear resource forecasting, and smooth operational integration at every stage of the project lifecycle.

Main Responsibilities:

• Strategic Project Leadership & Execution: Direct the entire project lifecycle (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure) of a multi‑faced clean water infrastructure program. This encompasses defining the comprehensive project scope, developing and maintaining robust integrated schedules, rigorously tracking and reporting on progress, financial performance, risks, and critical issues to the executive management team.
• Strategic Stakeholder Management & Corporate Governance: Effectively liaise with a wide range of critical internal and external stakeholders (e.g., regulatory bodies, key contractors, customers, and local authorities). Lead multi‑disciplinary delivery teams, provide unwavering assurance for the gated regulatory submission process, and secure corporate approval for all project business cases.
• Expert NEC Contract Management & Governance: Lead the administration and strategic governance of contracts (primarily from the NEC4 suite of contracts). This involves proactively managing all contractual obligations, including the submission and resolution of Compensation Events, Early Warnings, programme submissions, and final account negotiation to ensure rigorous compliance.
• Risk, Quality, and Safety Stewardship: Proactively identify, assess, and strategically mitigate project risks (including ownership of the Early Warning process). Ensure all deliverables meet stringent technical and quality specifications, and champion a non‑negotiable Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) culture in full compliance with regulations such as CDM 2015.

Skills/Qualifications/Experience:

• A degree in a relevant field (e.g., Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Construction/Project Management) or equivalent demonstrable practical experience.
• NEC3 or NEC4 Project Manager Accreditation (ECC) OR extensive, hands‑on experience successfully managing multiple projects as a Project Manager under NEC3/NEC4 ECC conditions.
• Professional Project Management qualification (e.g., APM PMQ/PPQ, PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner) and/or Chartered Status (e.g., ICE, IMechE).
• A demonstrable history of successfully delivering large infrastructure projects on time and within budget.
• A strong understanding and commitment to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations, with an in‑depth practical understanding of CDM 2015.
• Strong skills in planning, organising, and executing tasks efficiently using tools like MS Project to meet strict deadlines.
• Proficiency in budget management, cost control, and financial forecasting for a £500m CAPEX/OPEX project.
• Proficient in identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks and proactively seeking project opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, coupled with the ability to lead, motivate, and coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical, decision‑making, and sound engineering judgment to implement effective solutions under pressure.
• Extensive experience managing infrastructure or Major projects, preferably within the water industry, utilities, civil engineering, or construction sectors.
• Prior working experience as a Project Engineer or in a water distribution/similar industrial environment is highly desirable.

Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities. The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

Compensation package:

• Up to £90,000 p.a. dependent on experience.
• Plus car allowance