Project Manager

A leading civil engineering contractor with an annual turnover in excess of £100 million is seeking a highly experienced Freelance Project Manager to join their delivery team on a portfolio of major infrastructure and utilities schemes. With a strong order book and long-term frameworks secured, this contractor delivers complex civil engineering projects across the water, infrastructure, and utilities sectors, often in partnership with major Tier 1 organisations. The Role As Project Manager, you will take full ownership of project delivery from early-stage planning through to completion and handover. You will be responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and commercially successful delivery while maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a proactive individual who can manage technical complexity, drive programme performance, and lead multidisciplinary teams in demanding site environments. Key Responsibilities - Full lifecycle project management across civil engineering schemes - Leadership and coordination of site teams, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers - Management of programme, resources, and budgets to ensure successful delivery - Ensuring strict compliance with HSEQ standards and company procedures - Acting as the key point of contact for clients, consultants, and Tier 1 partners - Commercial awareness including cost control, forecasting, and risk management - Oversight and coordination of temporary works design and implementation - Driving project performance, resolving issues, and maintaining delivery momentum - Technical Experience Required The successful candidate must have demonstrable, hands-on experience delivering complex civil engineering works, including: - Groundworks and deep drainage on large-scale infrastructure projects - Clean water / potable water infrastructure schemes - Temporary works management, including coordination with designers and site teams - Directional drilling (HDD) operations and trenchless installation techniques - Installation of large-diameter pipelines (up to 1200mm) - Working within live utilities environments and challenging site conditions Essential Background - MUST have a Tier 1 contractor background (e.g. working for or directly delivering projects with Tier 1 organisations) - Proven experience operating at Project Manager level on high-value civil engineering projects - Strong understanding of industry standards, best practice, and delivery under NEC contracts - Experience managing complex stakeholder environments, including major clients and framework partners Qualifications & Skills - Degree, HNC, or HND in Civil Engineering or related discipline (preferred) - SMSTS, CSCS (Black/Gold), and First Aid (essential) - Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills - Strong commercial and contractual awareness - Ability to work autonomously and drive projects to successful completion What’s on Offer - Long-term freelance opportunity with a financially strong and growing contractor - Exposure to technically challenging, high-value infrastructure projects - Competitive day rate and consistent pipeline of work - Opportunity to play a key role in delivering critical UK infrastructure