Senior Project Manager - Construction

AWE; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day working fortnight

Pension scheme 9-13%

Maternity / Paternity leave

Professional development funding

Employee Assistance Programme

Life assurance 4x salary

Discounts

Special leave for volunteering

Job summary

AWE is recruiting a construction‑focused Senior Project Manager to lead and deliver high‑value nuclear projects with strong governance, safety and regulatory compliance. You will drive cross-functional delivery, manage budgets and teams, and report progress to senior leadership.

This site-based role offers a 9‑day fortnight, hybrid options subject to project needs, and a competitive package starting from £70,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience guiding project managers and cross-functional teams in complex environments.
• Expertise in delivering CDM construction projects across major infrastructure, industrial builds and refurbishments.
• Solid capability in Earned Value Management, interpreting schedules and data to inform decisions.
• Ability to build relationships and translate stakeholder needs into actionable plans.

Responsibilities

• Leading complex construction and nuclear projects with governance, safety and regulatory compliance.
• Delivering to time, cost, quality and safety targets while supporting AWE’s mission.
• Developing and motivating project leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Maintaining high standards in safety, security, environmental performance and quality.
• Providing clear project performance reporting to senior leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

NEC3/4

Earned Value Management

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Education

Construction-related qualification

Job description

Senior Project Manager - Construction

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking

Package: From £70,000 (depending on suitability, qualifications & level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application. These are site-based roles, with hybrid options available, subject to demand & project needs.

Let us introduce the role

AWE is now recruiting a construction‑focused Senior Project Manager to lead and deliver complex nuclear construction projects, taking ownership of high‑value, mission‑critical work that demands effective leadership, robust governance and the ability to operate confidently in a highly regulated environment. You will be responsible for:

• Leading complex construction and nuclear projects with robust governance, safety and regulatory compliance.
• Delivering to strict time, cost, quality and safety targets while supporting AWE’s mission.
• Developing and motivating project leaders and cross‑functional teams.
• Maintaining high standards in safety, security, environmental performance and quality.
• Influencing across functions to shape and deliver operational plans.
• Providing clear, accurate project performance reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensuring alignment with WADs, requirements, sanctioned artefacts and the PMB.
• Applying proven NEC3/4 project delivery experience.
• Managing people, budgets and equipment effectively, balancing workload and priorities.
• Holding teams accountable for delivery and performance.
• Leading risk, change and opportunity management to maintain control and maximise value.
• Driving continuous improvement across project delivery.

We’d Welcome Applications From Those With

• Proven leadership experience, within infrastructure sector, guiding project managers and cross‑functional teams in complex environments while motivating people, building morale and translating strategy into practical delivery plans.
• Expertise in delivering CDM construction projects across major infrastructure, industrial builds, modular construction and refurbishments, supported by a relevant construction‑related qualification.
• Solid technical capability, including Earned Value Management, interpreting schedules, data and technical drawings and using analysis to inform decisions.
• Ability to build effective internal and external relationships, understand stakeholder needs and turn them into actionable plans.

Some Reasons We Think You’ll Love It Here

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Next Steps

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you.

Important Things You Need To Know

• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.