Senior Project Manager / Programme Manager - Water

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager / Programme Manager to support the delivery of major water and wastewater treatment works projects in Poole. Dorset.

This is a delivery-focused role requiring an individual who is comfortable operating across all aspects of project execution. Working within a lean client-side team, you will play a key role in managing contractors, driving programme performance and ensuring the successful delivery of treatment works schemes from planning through to construction and commissioning.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in the UK water sector, extensive NEC4 contract management experience and a proven track record of delivering complex infrastructure projects within live operational environments.

As Senior Project Manager / Programme Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the delivery of major water and wastewater treatment works projects through the full project lifecycle.
• Managing NEC4 contractors, ensuring contractual compliance, programme performance and successful project outcomes.
• Chairing contractor progress meetings and delivery reviews, holding contractors accountable against agreed milestones.
• Driving change control processes, assessing and managing the impact of changes on cost, programme and scope.
• Developing and maintaining project governance arrangements, ensuring clear accountability and effective decision-making.
• Producing accurate and timely programme reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Identifying, managing and mitigating project risks and issues, implementing appropriate corrective actions where required.
• Overseeing project delivery through design, construction, commissioning and handover phases.
• Coordinating internal and external stakeholders, including consultants, contractors and operational teams.
• Supporting wider programme delivery activities as required, contributing across multiple workstreams within a small, collaborative team.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience as a Senior Project Manager, Programme Manager or Delivery Manager within the UK water sector.
• Significant experience delivering water or wastewater treatment works projects.
• Strong NEC4 contract management experience, including contractor performance management and change control.
• Demonstrable experience managing project governance, risk management and reporting processes.
• Experience leading contractor progress meetings and managing delivery within live operational environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to operate effectively within a lean delivery team and take ownership of a broad range of responsibilities.

• Experience delivering AMP7 or AMP8 capital programmes.
• Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional body.
• APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification.
• Experience working client-side within a regulated utility environment.

• Day rate of up to 600 per day (DOE)
• Opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of a major water and wastewater treatment works programme
• Long-term project pipeline within a critical UK infrastructure environment
• High level of ownership and responsibility across the full project lifecycle
• Collaborative, delivery-focused team environment where your contribution will have a direct impact on project success
• Opportunity to work alongside experienced programme, engineering and construction professionals on high-profile AMP projects within the water sector

This is an opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of a significant treatment works programme, supporting critical infrastructure improvements within the water sector. You'll be given genuine responsibility, work closely with key stakeholders and have the opportunity to influence project outcomes across a major capital investment programme.

If you have experience managing NEC4 contractors, delivering treatment works projects and thrive in a hands-on project delivery environment, we'd be keen to hear from you.

For more information or to apply, please contact Leon Smith, Murray McIntosh, . If your background aligns with water infrastructure delivery and NEC4 contract management, we encourage you to get in touch for a confidential discussion.