Senior Project Manager: Improvements

Connect Plus Services; Dartford, Leatherhead, South Mimms; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Plus Services (CPS) is seeking a Senior Project Manager: Improvements to lead a diverse portfolio of highways and technology projects across the M25 network. You will oversee schemes from £100k to £3m+, driving safety, environmental and tech upgrades while developing project teams and ensuring delivery across feasibility, design, construction and handover.

The role offers long-term stability with a clear career path, cross-functional collaboration, and opportunities to influence the

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience delivering highways construction, maintenance or similar infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to lead and develop project teams.
• Qualifications: PRINCE2 or APMP; HNC/HND in Civil Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of highways, technology and infrastructure projects from concept to completion.
• Develop Project Managers and Early Careers colleagues.
• Build relationships with clients, stakeholders and supply chain.
• Act as deputy to Portfolio Manager when required.
• Oversee programme performance, ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Identify risks, issues, opportunities and dependencies; implement solutions.
• Lead project reviews and governance, ensure reporting and change control.
• Manage portfolio income and cost profiles; challenge teams.
• Support resource planning and allocation across the portfolio.
• Drive continuous improvement in project controls and processes.

Skills

Highways project delivery

PRINCE2

APMP

Civil Eng qualification

HNC/HND

CSCS card

Budget forecasting

Stakeholder mgmt

Team leadership

Lean principles

Education

HNC/HND in Civil Engineering

Job description

Closing Date 23rd October 2026

Location: Flexible working based from Dartford, Leatherhead or South Mimms, with travel across the M25 network and occasional night-time site visits.

About the Role

Are you an experienced project leader looking for a role that combines career growth, project variety and long-term stability?

At Connect Plus Services (CPS), we’re seeking a Senior Project Manager: Improvements to lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of highways and technology projects across the M25 network. Working on one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure contracts, you’ll oversee schemes ranging from £100k to £3m+, including safety improvements, environmental enhancements, technology upgrades, structural works and asset improvement projects.

This is a unique opportunity to work across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and design through to construction and handover, while leading and developing project teams and helping shape the future delivery of the network.

With just under 15 years remaining on the M25 contract, this role offers something increasingly rare: the chance to enjoy the excitement of delivering complex, high-profile projects alongside the confidence of long-term programme stability. You’ll be joining a business that invests in its people, encourages innovation and provides genuine opportunities to develop your leadership capability while making a visible impact on one of Europe’s busiest motorways.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Senior Project Manager, you’ll play a vital role in leading project delivery, supporting the wider portfolio and ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the successful delivery of highways, technology and infrastructure improvement projects from concept through to completion.
• Managing and developing Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers and Early Careers colleagues, helping them grow and succeed.
• Building strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, supply chain partners and internal teams to drive collaborative project delivery.
• Acting as a deputy to the Portfolio Manager when required.
• Overseeing programme performance, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and aligned to business objectives.
• Identifying and managing project risks, issues, opportunities and dependencies, implementing solutions where needed.
• Leading project reviews and governance activities, ensuring accurate reporting, forecasting and change management.
• Managing portfolio income and cost profiles and providing challenge and support to project teams.
• Supporting resource planning and project allocation across the delivery portfolio.
• Driving continuous improvement in project controls, delivery processes and team performance.
• Working closely with design, commercial, finance and operational teams to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Championing a culture of safety, customer focus, collaboration and operational excellence across the portfolio.

Who We’re Looking For

Key Requirements

We’re looking for a motivated and collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced project environment and enjoys developing both projects and people.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Senior-level experience delivering highways construction, maintenance or similar infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience managing projects through the full project lifecycle.
• Strong project management expertise, ideally supported by a recognised qualification such as PRINCE2, APMP or equivalent.
• HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction or a related discipline.
• Experience leading and developing project teams, driving performance and productivity.
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills.
• Good commercial awareness, including budget management and financial forecasting.
• Understanding of highway construction, maintenance operations and associated design disciplines.
• Knowledge of environmental requirements, CDM regulations and health and safety legislation.
• Experience coordinating with design teams, contractors and external stakeholders.
• A valid CSCS card.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the network, including occasional night-time site visits.
• An understanding of Lean principles and continuous improvement practices.

You’ll Also Be Someone Who:

• Leads with integrity, professionalism and a strong safety-first mindset.
• Builds trusted relationships and brings people together to achieve shared goals.
• Is proactive, resilient and solutions-focused.
• Communicates confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Adapts quickly to changing priorities and project demands.
• Has a genuine passion for delivering excellence and developing others.

Behavioural Competencies

Inspiring: Champions curiosity and continuous improvement, role modelling change and managing risks to achieve project outcomes.

Energising: Role models positive and energised project focussed attitudes towards and continuous improvement.

Challenging: seeks and advocates improvements to add value and drive continuous performance.

Challengeable: Encourage a culture of skilled challenging and seek to understand and explore challenge to enable improvement.

Influencing: Builds commitment and consensus, and role models CPS leadership behaviours to deliver our goals.

Why Work for Us?

At Connect Plus Services (CPS), you’ll be part of a world-class team maintaining and operating the M25, Europe’s busiest motorway. As a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Atkins, and Egis, we play a vital role in keeping millions of journeys moving safely and efficiently.

A Career Like No Other

Working on the M25 offers unrivalled experience, challenges, and opportunities that no other highways project can provide. You’ll be exposed to cutting-edge technology, large-scale infrastructure, and complex engineering solutions, making every day dynamic and rewarding.

Long-Term Stability & Growth

With 15+ years remaining on this project, we offer career stability, professional development, and progression opportunities. Whether you’re looking to build new skills or take the next step in your career, we invest in your growth.

A Supportive & Inclusive Team

At CPS, your contributions matter. We foster a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment where safety, innovation, and teamwork drive everything we do.

CPS recognises the impact of our work on the environment and the communities surrounding the M25 network. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint while delivering wider sustainability outcomes, including environmental protection, social value, and responsible resource use. Through sustainable practices, innovation, and long-term stewardship, we aim to support community wellbeing and ensure responsible, future‑focused delivery.

About us

Connect Plus Services (CPS) is a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Atkins and Egis Road Operation UK. With around 800 colleagues, we operate and maintain the 117-mile M25 network on behalf of Connect Plus and National Highways, managing over 100,000 assets to keep Europe’s busiest orbital motorway moving 24/7.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As a Disability Confident Employer and Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, we actively support equality, inclusion and social value, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.