Senior Project Manager (Water Industry)

South Staffs Water; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company is seeking a Senior Project Manager to oversee critical infrastructure projects. You will manage complex capital and strategic projects, engage with stakeholders, and drive operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of experience, strong leadership skills, and a degree with relevant certifications. Salary up to £65,000 plus benefits including a company car allowance and 25 days holiday.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company car allowance

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Company pension with employer contributions

24-hour helpline for advice

Eyecare vouchers

Employee Assistance Programme

24/7 remote GP access

Qualifications

• 5-10 years post-graduate experience in project management.
• Proven experience with NEC4 contracts.
• Strong ability to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of capital and strategic projects.
• Lead stakeholder engagement.
• Guide project managers on best practices.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Contract management

Leadership

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Risk management

Education

Degree-qualified

PMP, APM, PRINCE2 certification

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior Project Manager (Water Industry)

Salary: To £65,000 Dependant upon skills and experience

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Cambridge / Walsall

About South Staffs Water

Imagine leading the charge on projects that don’t just meet expectations but redefine them. As a Senior Project Manager with South Staffs Water, you’ll orchestrate the delivery of critical infrastructure with precision and purpose. From balancing stakeholder priorities to navigating complex challenges, you’ll be trusted to turn strategy into tangible success while championing innovation, efficiency, and teamwork every step of the way.

Who We Are: At South Staffs Water, we deliver clean and reliable water supplies to around 1.7 million customers within the South Staffs and Cambridge regions. As a water-only company, providing clean, healthy water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is at the very heart of what we do and that’s where you come in.

The Role

Join a dynamic and forward-thinking team as a Senior Project Manager with South Staffs Water, where you’ll play a key leadership role in delivering complex capital projects and driving operational excellence. Acting as a linchpin between stakeholders, strategy, and on-the-ground execution, you’ll ensure projects are delivered to scope, time, and budget, while fostering innovation, efficiency, and continual improvement across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the delivery of capital and strategic projects, ensuring adherence to agreed timeframes, budgets, and quality standards


• Lead stakeholder engagement to ensure seamless integration of business objectives, client expectations, and team capabilities


• Guide and mentor project managers and stakeholders on best practices, procedures, and continuous improvement


• Drive innovation to optimise capital and operational efficiency (capex/opex)


• Translate complex client requirements into practical and profitable project solutions


• Manage financial planning and risk for individual projects and the wider programme


• Support departmental recognition and continuous development through industry benchmarks and CPD

What You’ll Need

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in administering and managing contracts under the NEC4 suite, including handling early warnings, compensation events, and programme management in line with contractual obligations.


• Minimum 5-10 years post-graduate experience in project management, ideally within capital investment programmes


• Degree-qualified and professionally certified (e.g., PMP, APM, PRINCE2) or equivalent track record of exceptional performance


• Strong leadership and conflict resolution skills; able to work autonomously with minimal direction


• In-depth understanding of commercial contracting, business systems, and regulatory environments


• Proven success managing complex financial issues and delivering client-focused solutions


• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal agility, comfortable engaging with all levels internally and externally


• Experienced in project delivery methodology and developing collaborative supply chain relationships


• Lateral thinking and a flexible, proactive approach to solving business problems


• Willingness to travel regionally, nationally, or internationally as needed

What You’ll Get in Return

• A competitive salary plus benefits


• Company car allowance


• 25 days holiday + bank holidays


• Company pension with employer contributions


• 24-hour helpline providing free and confidential advice to you and your family on financial, legal, marital, and health matters


• Eyecare vouchers via Specsavers


• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)


• 24/7 remote GP access

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