Project Manager – Utilities / Civil Engineering
Location: Wallingford, Oxfordshire
Salary: Up to £75,000 plus package
Start date: February 2026
Employment type: Permanent
A leading UK civil engineering and infrastructure contractor is seeking an experienced Project Manager to deliver a portfolio of utility and infrastructure projects across the region. This role offers the chance to join a long-established, privately owned business with a strong family ethos, over 40 years of industry experience, and an excellent reputation for delivering complex infrastructure schemes safely, efficiently, and to consistently high standards.
The company operates as a Tier 1 delivery partner for blue-chip, regulated, and private-sector clients. Its work spans major frameworks, alliances, joint ventures, and standalone projects across the water, transport, energy, and built environment sectors. The business is recognised for its direct delivery model, employing and developing its own workforce rather than relying heavily on subcontracting. With a national workforce of more than 1,200 employees, the organisation places significant emphasis on training, long-term career development, and internal progression.
A wide range of specialist in-house capabilities supports project delivery, including tunnelling, MEICA, temporary and permanent design, steel fabrication, signage, and health and safety systems. This integrated approach allows the business to retain control of quality, cost, and programme from initial design through to final handover. The company is also a Gold Investors in People organisation, reflecting a strong commitment to leadership, inclusion, and professional development.
In the role of Project Manager, you will take full responsibility for the delivery of multiple civil engineering and utilities projects from design through to completion. You will be accountable for ensuring projects are delivered safely, on programme, to the required quality standards, and with strong commercial performance. Working closely with engineering, commercial, estimating, and client teams, you will act as a visible leader, maintaining excellent relationships while driving performance and resolving challenges as they arise.
Your responsibilities will include producing financial forecasts, monitoring and controlling costs, and reporting project performance at regular intervals. You will manage construction programmes, chair site meetings, coordinate site investigations, and develop practical, cost-effective engineering solutions that meet client requirements. You will ensure all project plans, risk assessments, method statements, procurement activities, and site records are produced and maintained in line with company procedures. You will also manage variations, prepare estimates for additional works, support tendering activities, and contribute to the development of new client relationships.
Health, safety, and environmental leadership will be a core part of the role. You will set high standards by example, ensuring full compliance with legal, regulatory, and company requirements. This will include maintaining HSE documentation, producing reports, coordinating training and briefings, and working with subcontractors and third parties to ensure all works comply with industry regulations and best practice.
Quality management will also sit under your remit. You will be responsible for inspection and test plans, quality assurance documentation, the closure of technical queries, and ensuring that as-built information and O&M manuals are completed and submitted at project close-out.
To be successful in this role, you will have a strong working knowledge of NEC contracts, including Early Warning and Compensation Event processes, alongside a solid understanding of CDM Regulations, design management, programme and risk management, and cost control. You will hold a degree or HNC in Civil Engineering or equivalent, a valid CSCS Manager’s Card, SMSTS, and the NEBOSH Construction Certificate. Experience using Primavera P6 or similar planning software is essential, as are strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. You will be comfortable managing projects with minimal supervision and confident in challenging designs and driving issues through to resolution. Chartered status and knowledge of JCT contracts would be advantageous but are not essential.
This position offers long-term, secured work through major infrastructure frameworks, excellent job security within a financially stable organisation, and clear progression opportunities supported by a proven culture of promoting from within. You will be involved in some of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects while working in an environment that genuinely values its people