Senior Project Manager - Water Industry (Abingdon)

RPS plc; Milton Heights; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking a team leader to manage projects related to clean water delivery and pressure management. The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience in team leadership, project management, and regulatory knowledge. Responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, ensuring health and safety standards, and cultivating relationships with clients to drive project success. This role is essential for fostering a high-performing team culture and identifying growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in leadership and management, ideally in the utility service industry.
• Ability to analyse data and implement change effectively.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and water industry regulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team delivering pressure management schemes.
• Manage health and safety aspects of projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients.

Skills

Leadership and management experience

Communication skills

Knowledge of clean water networks

Project management experience

Data analysis skills

Education

Degree in relevant discipline

Chartered Membership (MCIWEM or equivalent)

Tools

MS Office suite

Work management systems

Job description

Responsibilities

• Leadership of a clean water team delivering pressure management schemes.
• Line management of a team with overall responsibility for day‑to‑day workload planning, prioritisation, provision of technical direction and support, driving staff performance, motivation and career development.
• Management of all health and safety, quality and environmental aspects of projects.
• Responsible for commercial performance, forecasting and risk management, leading bids and proposals.
• Ensuring quality of project outputs and compliance with standards, specifications and governance requirements.
• Building, maintaining and managing strong and collaborative working relationships with internal and external clients.
• Leading change management, continual improvement of business and people to realise a high‑performing team culture.
• Leading on growth, identifying opportunities to grow existing workstreams and developing new opportunities.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive experience in the leadership and management of people and projects, ideally gained in the utility service industry or similar.
• Proven experience managing performance and ability to analyse data to implement change, coupled with outstanding communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge in clean water networks and pressure management.
• Ability to engage at all levels, influence others and effectively contribute to contract and business development strategy ensuring efficient use of resources and equipment.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and water industry regulation.
• Ability to co‑ordinate and manage staff at all levels, including line management of less experienced colleagues, improve organisational effectiveness and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ability to build, lead and motivate a team both internally and in partnership with external clients, and provide technical guidance and mentorship.
• Ability to manage and support senior project managers to manage small to large projects/packages and programmes of work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self‑motivated, self‑disciplined and having the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Project Management experience and ability to demonstrate a comprehensive commercial understanding.
• Proficient in the use of the MS Office suite, work management systems and applications are essential.
• Working in a fast‑paced corporate environment.

Qualifications

• Preferably degree qualified in a relevant discipline, with postgraduate qualifications an advantage.
• Chartered Membership of an Institution e.g. MCIWEM CIWEM or demonstrable relevant experience.

Location: OX14 4RY, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, South East, UK