Senior Project Manager

Gentoo Group Limited; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable housing organisation in Sunderland is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead transformational projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong stakeholder engagement and project governance skills. This role offers a hybrid working model, flexible hours, and numerous benefits including health coverage and a pension scheme. Candidates should have a relevant degree and experience in managing complex projects. If you are passionate about creating positive change, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits

31 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Early finish on Fridays

Flexible and hybrid working

Free Health Cash Plan

Access to private healthcare

Competitive pension scheme

Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme

Enhanced family-friendly leave

Car mileage allowance

Life assurance cover

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering large-scale programmes across business and IT.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of project methodologies (Agile, Waterfall).

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of multiple complex projects.
• Develop and manage project plans and governance frameworks.
• Monitor progress using KPIs and metrics.
• Promote collaboration and excellence across teams.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project governance

Change management

Leadership

Education

Degree-level education

Recognised project/change management qualifications

Job description

We're a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they're proud to call home.

Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy‑efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.

If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we'd love for you to join us and help achieve our vision.

Salary: £60,000.00

Job Description :

Senior Project Manager - Transformation & Change

Location: Doxford Park, Sunderland (Hybrid)

Working hours: Mon - Fri 36 hours - 12.30 pm finish on Friday

Are you ready to help Gentoo shape the future? We're looking for 2 Senior Project Managers to lead transformational projects that connect people, streamline processes, and introduce innovative technologies.

In this role, you'll drive impactful change across Gentoo, working with diverse stakeholders to deliver projects that make a real difference. You'll champion collaboration, inspire teams, and ensure every initiative aligns with our strategic goals.

We recognise the importance of a positive work‑life balance-our hybrid working model offers the flexibility of both office and home‑based work. To support collaboration and innovation, you'll be required to work from the office for part of the working week and be flexible to attend on‑site meetings as needed. We are unable to support Remote working.

We support a great work‑life balance with our standard 36‑hour working week, Monday to Friday. Plus, enjoy an early finish at 12 : 30 pm every Friday—giving you more time for the things that matter to you. We are also proud to be certified as a "Great Place To Work"

The position is subject to a basic DBS arranged and funded by Gentoo.

What you'll be doing :

Lead the delivery of multiple complex projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they meet objectives, timelines, and budgets.

Develop and manage project plans, resources, and governance frameworks to keep everything on track.

Build strong relationships with stakeholders and communicate clearly at all levels to foster trust and alignment.

Monitor progress using KPIs and metrics, reporting transparently on risks, issues, and achievements.

Drive strategic alignment by refining roadmaps and milestones to meet evolving organisational priorities.

Promote collaboration and excellence across teams, mentoring and supporting colleagues in best practices.

Ensure compliance with organisational policies and governance standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Champion continuous improvement by sharing lessons learned and evolving tools and techniques.

What you will bring :

Degree‑level education (or equivalent) and recognised project / change management qualifications.

Membership of APM, PMI or similar professional bodies.

Proven experience delivering large‑scale programmes and complex projects across business and IT, with multiple workstreams.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills and ability to manage interdependencies.

Expertise in project governance, risk management, and change management.

Exceptional communication and leadership skills to inspire and unite cross‑functional teams.

Knowledge of project methodologies (Agile, Waterfall) and frameworks such as VUCA and BANI.

Preferred (but not essential) :

Knowledge of the housing sector.

Experience implementing Salesforce, MRI, or housing IT solutions.

If you're passionate about creating positive change, have the required skills and experience and thrive in a dynamic environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Some of our great benefits include :

• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.
• Early finish on Fridays
• Flexible and hybrid working.
• Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.
• Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.
• Competitive Aviva pension scheme – Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave
• Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary