A leading civil engineering contractor with an annual turnover in excess of £100 million is seeking a highly experienced Freelance Project Manager to join their delivery team on a portfolio of major infrastructure and utilities schemes.
With a strong order book and long-term frameworks secured, this contractor delivers complex civil engineering projects across the water, infrastructure, and utilities sectors, often in partnership with major Tier 1 organisations.
The Role
As Project Manager, you will take full ownership of project delivery from early-stage planning through to completion and handover. You will be responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and commercially successful delivery while maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a proactive individual who can manage technical complexity, drive programme performance, and lead multidisciplinary teams in demanding site environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Full lifecycle project management across civil engineering schemes
- Leadership and coordination of site teams, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers
- Management of programme, resources, and budgets to ensure successful delivery
- Ensuring strict compliance with HSEQ standards and company procedures
- Acting as the key point of contact for clients, consultants, and Tier 1 partners
- Commercial awareness including cost control, forecasting, and risk management
- Oversight and coordination of temporary works design and implementation
- Driving project performance, resolving issues, and maintaining delivery momentum
- Technical Experience Required
The successful candidate must have demonstrable, hands-on experience delivering complex civil engineering works, including:
- Groundworks and deep drainage on large-scale infrastructure projects
- Clean water / potable water infrastructure schemes
- Temporary works management, including coordination with designers and site teams
- Directional drilling (HDD) operations and trenchless installation techniques
- Installation of large-diameter pipelines (up to 1200mm)
- Working within live utilities environments and challenging site conditions
Essential Background
- MUST have a Tier 1 contractor background (e.g. working for or directly delivering projects with Tier 1 organisations)
- Proven experience operating at Project Manager level on high-value civil engineering projects
- Strong understanding of industry standards, best practice, and delivery under NEC contracts
- Experience managing complex stakeholder environments, including major clients and framework partners
Qualifications & Skills
- Degree, HNC, or HND in Civil Engineering or related discipline (preferred)
- SMSTS, CSCS (Black/Gold), and First Aid (essential)
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills
- Strong commercial and contractual awareness
- Ability to work autonomously and drive projects to successful completion
What’s on Offer
- Long-term freelance opportunity with a financially strong and growing contractor
- Exposure to technically challenging, high-value infrastructure projects
- Competitive day rate and consistent pipeline of work
- Opportunity to play a key role in delivering critical UK infrastructure