Senior Project Manager – National Environmental Monitoring Programme
2-year fixed-term contract | £40 million programme | High-profile national impact
Are you an experienced Project Manager who thrives on challenge and wants to make a difference on a national scale?
This is a rare opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role at the centre of a £40 million UK Government-funded programme – the first of its kind, creating a nationwide system to monitor water resources and strengthen resilience to extreme events.
As Senior Project Manager, you'll take charge of the programme's largest and most ambitious work package: coordinating the site selection, procurement, engineering design, build, and installation of advanced environmental sensors across the UK.
This role isn't just about keeping things on track — it's about driving momentum, connecting expertise across multiple partners, and shaping how the programme delivers real-world impact. You'll be the confident voice of the work package in high-profile forums, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, while ensuring your team is resourced, aligned, and motivated to succeed.
If you're pragmatic, resilient, and bold in your decision-making, this is your chance to make a lasting contribution to one of the UK's most important environmental programmes.
What you'll be doing:
* Lead the Observatory work package, managing scope, milestones, and delivery across multiple specialist groups.
* Oversee site finding, procurement, design, build, and installation of monitoring systems nationwide.
* Keep delivery on track through clear planning, risk management, and assertive deadline control.
* Drive collaboration between regional Catchment Champion teams, ensuring local partnerships are strong and aligned with programme goals.
* Manage subcontracts and procurement activities, ensuring suppliers and partners deliver against expectations.
* Support local engagement and stakeholder communication, building trust and sharing insights across the programme.
* Provide leadership and guidance to the Project Coordinator and delivery teams.
* Monitor, evaluate, and report on project progress, ensuring accountability and measurable outcomes.
What we're looking for:
* Practitioner-level project management qualification (PRINCE2, APM, PMBOK, or equivalent experience).
* Proven track record delivering large, complex, multi-stakeholder projects – ideally in research, technology, or innovation.
* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, able to build trust and navigate challenges.
* A confident leader who can galvanise diverse teams and keep momentum in complex environments.
* Pragmatic problem-solving skills with the ability to balance detail with big-picture thinking.
* An interest in environmental issues and how technology can drive better research outcomes.
* Flexibility to travel occasionally within the UK.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £50,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person