Senior Project Manager - Aviation

ZipRecruiter; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure delivery organisation in Hounslow is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to oversee complex projects in the rail or aviation sectors. You'll lead teams through the full project lifecycle, ensuring compliance and effective stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in high-risk civil infrastructure projects. Strong leadership and contract management skills are essential, along with a relevant degree and certifications.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in civil infrastructure projects within rail or aviation.
• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 and contract administration.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of civil infrastructure projects through all RIBA Work Stages.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and project governance.
• Drive project planning, scheduling, and performance reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Contract Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Project Planning

Risk Management

Communication

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field

Chartered status (e.g., CEng, MAPM, MCIOB)

Formal project management certification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, PMP)

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Project Manager – Rail/Aviation

Location: Hounslow, UK

Employment Type: Contract (INSIDE IR35)

Sector: Rail or Aviation – Civil Construction / Infrastructure Projects

A leading infrastructure delivery organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to oversee complex, high-stakes civil infrastructure works in the rail or aviation sectors. Based in Hounslow, the successful candidate will lead multiple Project Managers and cross-disciplinary teams through the full project lifecycle, using structured delivery methodologies including RIBA Stages, NEC3/4, and CDM 2015. Strong leadership, contract expertise, and senior stakeholder management are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of major civil infrastructure projects through all RIBA Work Stages (0–7), ensuring alignment with strategic, regulatory and commercial objectives. Manage and mentor a team of Project Managers, Engineers, and commercial staff across multiple workstreams.
• Coordinate design, construction and commissioning activities, ensuring clear progress through Stage Gate reviews, with associated deliverables and approvals.
• Ensure full CDM 2015 compliance across all project stages, with emphasis on design risk management and health & safety leadership.
• Administer NEC3/NEC4 contracts, including early warnings, compensation events, programme updates, and contractual correspondence.
• Lead stakeholder engagement with clients, regulators, third parties, and senior leadership—representing the project at governance boards and gateway reviews.
• Drive project planning, scheduling, cost forecasting, risk management, change control, and performance reporting.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of key deliverables at each RIBA stage, including Feasibility, Concept, Developed and Technical Designs, and handover documentation.
• Manage interfaces between internal delivery teams, consultants, and supply chain partners to ensure programme integration and consistent quality.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, assurance and proactive problem-solving within the project teams.

Key Requirements

• Extensive experience delivering high-value, high-risk civil infrastructure projects within rail or aviation sectors.
• Proven track record leading projects through full RIBA stages, from Strategic Definition to In Use.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple Project Managers and overseeing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong working knowledge of CDM 2015, including Principal Designer and Principal Contractor obligations.
• Experience in telecommunications
• Expertise in NEC3/NEC4 contract administration and project governance.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, with strong leadership in stage gate and assurance processes.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with experience engaging executive and regulatory stakeholders.
• Commercially astute with experience managing budgets, change, risk and programme performance on complex projects.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Chartered status (e.g., CEng, MAPM, MCIOB)
• Formal project management certification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, PMP).
• Experience working on regulated infrastructure projects (e.g., Network Rail, HS2, DfT).
• CITB/CMITB recognised qualifications or structured training.
• Rail or aviation-specific certifications (PTS, Airside Pass, SMSTS) desirable.