Senior Project Principal — Complex Buildings Leader

Mott MacDonald; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension contributions matching

Annual bonus scheme

Employee ownership

Hybrid working policy

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Project Principal to lead complex, multidisciplinary buildings projects from bid to close-out. You will operate with autonomy across design & build and contractor-led delivery, ensuring governance, risk management and financial robustness across major programmes.

The role requires strong commercial acumen, senior stakeholder engagement, and experience in highly regulated environments, with a focus on delivering high-quality design and client value in a hybrid working

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or related field.
• Significant experience delivering complex multidisciplinary buildings projects in a consultancy/professional services environment.
• Proven track record in senior project leadership (e.g., Project Principal/Director) with delivery accountability.
• Experience in Design & Build and/or contractor-led delivery models, managing design risk and interfaces.
• Experience in highly regulated, secure or mission-critical environments (defence/government/aviation).
• Strong commercial acumen, including contract management, forecasting, change control and risk management.
• Knowledge of NEC or similar collaborative contract forms.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end leadership and accountability for complex building projects from bid through mobilisation, delivery and close-out.
• Set and approve the overall project delivery strategy including scope, programme, resources, budget, risk and governance.
• Lead projects in Design & Build, framework and contractor-led environments with oversight of design development and interfaces.
• Act as senior escalation point for delivery, commercial, safety, quality issues and ensure governance.
• Provide senior commercial oversight including fee strategy, forecasting, change management and contract administration.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, guiding project managers and technical leads to maintain design quality and delivery performance.
• Sponsor and chair key project reviews at critical stages and ensure risks are understood and escalated.
• Ensure projects are resourced with skilled teams and have effective assurance arrangements.
• Maintain oversight of health, safety and wellbeing risks and ensure safe systems of work.

Skills

Senior leadership

Delivery strategy

Contract management

Governance

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Design & Build

Client-facing

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Project Principal to lead complex, multidisciplinary buildings projects from bid to close-out. You will operate with autonomy across design & build and contractor-led delivery, ensuring governance, risk management and financial robustness across major programmes.

The role requires strong commercial acumen, senior stakeholder engagement, and experience in highly regulated environments, with a focus on delivering high-quality design and client value in a hybrid working