Visitor Centre Senior Project Manager Havant Thicket Reservoir

Portsmouth Water Ltd; Havant; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water company is seeking an NEC Project Manager to oversee the Visitor Centre design and construction contracts in England. The successful candidate will manage project phases including design development and commissioning while ensuring compliance with regulations. Key qualifications include strong project management experience, a degree in Civil Engineering, and leadership skills. Competitive benefits include a generous pension scheme and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Performance-based bonus

Enhanced parental leave

Life assurance scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Private medical insurance

Electric Vehicle Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of managing budgets for construction projects.
• More than 10 years of experience in design and construction management.
• Experience of leading design and build projects.

Responsibilities

• Act as NEC Project Manager for the Visitor Centre design and construction contracts.
• Oversee all project phases: design development, planning application, construction.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant planning and statutory regulations.

Skills

Strong communication and team leadership skills

Good analytical skills

Strong appreciation of risk management techniques

Good knowledge of construction materials, processes and equipment

Excel/PowerPoint/Word/Teams proficiency

NEC contract management experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Project management qualification (PRINCE, APM or PMI)

Chartered with a relevant institution (e.g. MICE, MIET)

Tools

Contract Management Software

Job description

Job Overview

Act as NEC Project Manager for the Visitor Centre design and construction contracts, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the required quality. Oversee all project phases: design development, planning application, construction, commissioning, and handover into operations. Lead and coordinate the multidisciplinary project team, including QS, H&S, PMO, design, planning, procurement, finance, and commercial functions. Champion health, safety, wellbeing, quality, and environmental performance across all project activities. Scrutinise contractor submissions such as payment applications, programmes, compensation events, and early warnings. Chair coordination meetings with designers, contractors, and stakeholders to maintain alignment with Portsmouth Water’s values and project goals. Develop and manage key stakeholder relationships, securing agreement on project delivery plans and communicating progress clearly. Represent Portsmouth Water at stakeholder and public consultation meetings, ensuring transparency and collaboration. Work with AtkinsRealis and partners to develop the Site Management and Recreation Plans. Plan and manage the transition into operations, including team mobilisation and procurement of operational contracts. Ensure compliance with all relevant planning, environmental, and statutory regulations, including CDM, Building Regulations, and Section 106 agreements. Provide regular progress reporting and governance papers to support informed decision‑making and maintain project accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Scrutinise contractor submissions such as payment applications, programmes, compensation events, and early warnings.
• Chair coordination meetings with designers, contractors, and stakeholders to maintain alignment with Portsmouth Water’s values and project goals.
• Develop and manage key stakeholder relationships, securing agreement on project delivery plans and communicating progress clearly.
• Represent Portsmouth Water at stakeholder and public consultation meetings, ensuring transparency and collaboration.
• Work with AtkinsRealis and partners to develop the Site Management and Recreation Plans.
• Plan and manage the transition into operations, including team mobilisation and procurement of operational contracts.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant planning, environmental, and statutory regulations, including CDM, Building Regulations, and Section 106 agreements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong communication and team leadership skills.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to review and write technical specifications, procurement strategies, business cases, decision support papers, and progress reports.
• Strong appreciation of risk management techniques, with experience of managing budgets for construction projects.
• Good knowledge of construction materials, processes and equipment.
• Excel/PowerPoint/Word/Teams proficiency.
• Experience of using Contract Management Software would be an advantage.
• ‘Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field of study.
• More than 10 years of experience of design and construction management.
• Experience of leading design and build projects.
• NEC contract management experience is essential.
• Chartered with a relevant institution (e.g. MICE, MIET).
• Project management qualification (PRINCE, APM or PMI).
• Retail, catering or visitor facilities experience would be an advantage.
• Full driving licence.

About the Project

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future. At Portsmouth Water, we’re committed to delivering an exceptional visitor experience at the new Havant Thicket Reservoir. Our goal is to create a visitor centre that reflects the beauty and importance of this landmark project – a place where the community can connect with nature, learn about water sustainability, and enjoy the surrounding environment. To achieve this, we’ll guide the project through every stage from design and procurement to construction and smooth transition into daily operations. Before work begins, we’ll also establish a comprehensive site management plan to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental care throughout the build.

Working with Us

We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for. Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out. We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society. The Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.

What Portsmouth Water Offers You

• Generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15 %.
• Performance‑based bonus of up to 6 % of basic salary.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay.
• Life assurance scheme giving 4 × salary lump‑sum benefit.
• Employee Assistance Programme with confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7.
• Virtual GP service (available 8 am–10 pm, 7 days a week) via the HealthHero app.
• Private medical insurance provided by Bupa with 24/7 confidential support.
• Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Health Cash Plan and so much more.