Job Description
University Partnerships Programme (UPP), the leading infrastructure and services partner to UK universities, is seeking to appoint a Senior Project Manager – Defects and Remediation Works.
UPP is the UK’s foremost provider of on campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure, operating over 35,000 rooms across 15 university partnerships nationwide. UPP has a proud history of innovation in campus accommodation, collaborating with globally respected architects to deliver highly sustainable buildings meeting Passivhaus, BREEAM and WELL standards.‑campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure, operating over 35,000 rooms across 15 university partnerships nationwide.
The Senior Project Manager will lead the end-to-end delivery of defect management across UPP’s national portfolio, from construction completion through to the fully operational phase. Key responsibilities include:‑to‑end delivery of defect management across UPP’s national portfolio, from construction completion through to the fully operational phase. Key responsibilities include:
* Driving the closure of defects during and after the 12‑month defects liability period.
* Leading the proactive identification, analysis, notification and resolution of latent defects ahead of the 12‑year contractual limitation deadline.
* Leading technical and commercial negotiations with contractors to agree closure, remediation scope or commercial settlement.
* Project managing medium‑ to large‑scale remediation programmes delivered by UPP or by original construction contractors.
* Producing high-quality reporting, trend analysis and annual insight reports to support continuous improvement and strengthen UPP’s long-term asset management strategy.‑quality reporting, trend analysis and annual insight reports to support continuous improvement and strengthen UPP’s long‑term asset management strategy.
This is a high-profile role that safeguards UPP’s commercial and reputational interests while ensuring our accommodation portfolio continues to perform to the highest standards. We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:‑profile role that safeguards UPP’s commercial and reputational interests while ensuring our accommodation portfolio continues to perform to the highest standards.
* A proven track record of managing large construction contractors in the post‑construction environment.
* Demonstrable technical understanding of design & build contractual frameworks, defect identification and post‑construction administration.
* Experience leading successful commercial negotiations related to defect closure.
* Strong project management capability across construction and remediation programmes.
* Excellent stakeholder, influencing and communication skills, with the credibility to engage confidently across a wide range of internal and external partners.
This is an exciting time to join a dynamic, customer focused organisation that operates with pace, passion and purpose. You will play a key leadership role in ensuring UPP continues to deliver high-quality, industry leading facilities for students across its UKwide portfolio. The candidate brochure can be viewed here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/338532202/‑focused organisation that operates with pace, passion and purpose. You will play a key leadership role in ensuring UPP continues to deliver ‑quality, industry‑leading facilities for students across its UK‑wide portfolio.
UPP is an inclusive employer offering an attractive package, including:
* Performance bonus
* Private healthcare
* Pension & life assurance
* 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Access to the UPP Rewards portal, offering extensive retail, lifestyle and wellbeing discounts
For a confidential discussion please contact our retained advisors Nicholas Coppard (nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk) and Kelley Brown (Kelley.brown@mrgglobal.com) at MRG. Applications should consist of a CV and should be sent to Kelley.brown@mrgglobal.com and nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk. All direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to MRG.
Closing date for applications: 1st March 2026
UPP welcomes all applications and recognises the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities they work with and has a positive impact on their people, the student residents, and university partners.
They understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process and also help you to thrive at work.