ompany Overview:
Our client is a leading global engineering consultancy, known for delivering complex, multi-disciplinary projects across various industries. We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Project Manager to lead and manage high-profile projects in collaboration with a major rail client. This role involves ensuring successful delivery of rail projects while adhering to relevant regulations and industry standards, including Network Rail’s Guide to Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) and the CDM Regulations.

Job Purpose:
As a Senior Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading the planning, execution, and successful delivery of rail projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams through various phases of the project lifecycle, managing risks and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Your leadership will ensure that all stakeholders' needs are met while maintaining a focus on safety and environmental responsibility.

Key Responsibilities:
Project Leadership:

Lead and manage the full lifecycle of rail projects, ensuring delivery to time, cost, and quality in line with GRIP and other industry standards.
Act as the primary point of contact between the consultancy, client, contractors, and other stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment on project goals.
Programme and Progress Monitoring:

Develop, manage, and report on project programmes, ensuring adherence to schedules and budgets.
Implement project control systems to monitor progress, manage risks, and provide accurate periodic reports to senior management and clients.
Change Management:

Establish effective systems for managing change throughout the project lifecycle.
Identify potential changes in scope, assess their impact on time, cost, and quality, and communicate effectively with stakeholders to secure approvals.
Contractor and Resource Management:

Oversee contractor applications for possession and isolation, ensuring timely submission and compliance with relevant procedures.
Monitor contractor performance, ensuring they meet project requirements and provide regular performance updates.
Health, Safety, Quality, and Environment (HSQE):

Ensure compliance with all health, safety, quality, and environmental regulations, including the CDM Regulations.
Manage and review generic and site-specific methods of working, risk assessments, and safety plans, ensuring that all HSQE requirements are integrated into project delivery.
Risk and Issue Management:

Proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
Monitor and report on project risks, including safety and environmental risks, and ensure compliance with Network Rail’s standards and the Investment Competence Framework.
Stakeholder and Client Engagement:

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the rail client, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
Effectively manage stakeholder expectations, ensuring alignment with project goals and delivering successful outcomes for all parties.
Financial and Commercial Management:

Ensure that projects are delivered within agreed financial parameters, managing budgets and tracking costs throughout the project lifecycle.
Provide input into commercial decision-making processes, including contract negotiations, procurement, and tender evaluations.
Continuous Improvement:

Review lessons learned from previous projects and incorporate best practices into future project delivery.
Drive efficiency improvements and innovation in project delivery, contributing to the ongoing development of project management processes within the consultancy.
Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:
Essential:

Proven experience in senior project management, ideally within the rail or infrastructure sectors.
Demonstrable success in managing multi-disciplinary projects through all phases of the project lifecycle.
Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
Strong understanding of rail industry standards, including GRIP, CDM Regulations, and Network Rail’s company standards.
Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to manage budgets, schedules, and resources effectively, ensuring project success.
Strong understanding of HSQE principles and the ability to integrate them into project delivery.
Desirable:

Membership (or working towards membership) of the Association for Project Management (APM) or similar professional body.
PRINCE2 or similar project management qualification.
Knowledge of possession planning, commercial and financial aspects of project management.
Experience working with Network Rail or other major rail infrastructure organisations.