Job Title: Senior Project Manager Location: Essex, UK Sector: Main Contracting – Education / Public Sector Project Value: £26m New Build Secondary School Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Company

Our client is a well-established main contractor with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality education, healthcare, and public sector projects across the UK. Due to continued growth and a strong pipeline of secured work, they are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of a £26m new build secondary school in Essex.

This is a key leadership role, responsible for managing the project from pre-construction through to completion, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards.

Role Overview

The Senior Project Manager will take full responsibility for the successful delivery of a complex new build education project. You will lead the site team, manage client relationships, coordinate consultants and subcontractors, and ensure that programme, commercial, and quality targets are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

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Lead and manage the delivery of a £26m new build school project from construction through to handover.

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Develop and maintain the master project programme and ensure milestones are achieved.

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Manage and coordinate site teams including Project Managers, Site Managers, Engineers, and subcontractors.

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Maintain strong client relationships and act as the primary point of contact for the client and key stakeholders.

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Ensure strict adherence to health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.

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Monitor project progress, budgets, risk management, and reporting to senior leadership.

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Manage procurement strategies and subcontractor performance.

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Chair regular progress meetings with consultants, supply chain partners, and the client team.

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Ensure the project is delivered in accordance with contractual obligations and company procedures.

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Drive a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance across the project team.

Key Requirements

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Proven experience as a Senior Project Manager or Project Manager delivering large-scale new build projects with a main contractor.

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Strong experience delivering education or public sector projects valued £20m+.

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Demonstrable experience managing complex construction programmes and multidisciplinary teams.

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Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

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Strong commercial awareness and experience working alongside commercial teams.

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Thorough knowledge of UK construction regulations, health & safety standards, and contract administration.

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Relevant construction qualification (Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or similar).

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SMSTS, CSCS (Black/Professional), and First Aid certifications preferred.

Personal Attributes

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Strong leadership and decision-making abilities

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Highly organised with strong problem-solving skills

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Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and maintain client confidence

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Proactive, delivery-focused, and quality driven

What’s on Offer

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Opportunity to lead a flagship education project valued at £26m

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Work with a respected and growing main contractor

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Competitive salary and benefits package

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Long-term career progression within a strong project pipeline

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us for a confidential conversation