How youll make a difference
As a Principal Project Manager, you will be responsible for the management and successful delivery of specified major capital construction projects, providing client-side project management services throughout the relevant RIBA Stages, managing teams of professional construction consultants and contractors.
Taking the lead in managing key projects for the property and business support service, you will work with colleagues from across the authority and with external partners and stakeholders to ensure the projects are delivered effectively and on schedule by achieving key objectives and providing value for money.
What you will be doing
* Responsible for managing the successful delivery of specified capital projects, including the procurement and management of contracts of contractors and consultants, you will ensure works and services are tendered in accordance with financial regulations and standing orders.
* You will prepare and regularly update programmes, risk management registers and overall project cost reports, ensuring cost plans are prepared at appropriate gateways and oversee the legal transfer of assets and input to development agreements.
* It will be your responsibility to prepare tender reports and appraisals for director approval and implement a change management strategy to monitor and control time, cost, and quality and also attend project meetings and public engagement meetings.
* Developing innovative solutions to technical issues, you will ensure these are appropriate and successfully implemented and consult on issues with wider implications, whilst adhering to service regulations and codes of practice.
* Providing technical advice, support, and training to colleagues, you will ensure that performance objectives are achieved, teamwork is effective, colleagues are supported and that the team is technically capable, and technical work is carried out satisfactorily.
What we need from you
* You will hold a construction related degree or equivalent qualification and significant relevant experience in project management on large scale capital projects.
* It is essential that you have proven experience in leading multiple major projects without supervision, delivering contracts, guidance and statues and the ability to develop and deliver design briefs.
* We require you to have experience of planning and progressing work activities within general professional guidelines or organisational policy and have an in-depth knowledge of service specific and professional issues.
* You will have knowledge and experience of working with specific performance management and project improvement tools with the ability to work to strict deadlines, managing a demanding workload and prioritising accordingly.
* Having an excellent strategic awareness, you will have experience of working in a political environment and be able to communicate and influence effectively with clients, consultants, and contractors.
What you need to know
* There are 2 permanent full-time posts available.
* This is a hybrid role meaning that you can work remotely or in our offices
Interviews will be held week of the 12th January 2026
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
* What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos, the support and the training.
* As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave, employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
* We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
* Were building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
* Were working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
* Were investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.
Weve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
We’re making a difference, be part of it!
Click the link for the full job description: Principal Project Manager job description