Senior Project Manager, NEC Contracts

About the Trust

We're one of the UK's biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Are you an experienced Project Manager interested in putting your project management expertise into practice to ultimately benefit millions of people?

We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to join our Infrastructure and Programme Delivery (IPD) Midlands team; playing an important role in supporting our vision and delivering our Waterways and Wellbeing strategy. You will be involved in a range of projects that will ensure our existing national waterways, reservoirs and infrastructure are managed and maintained, as well as being fundamental in bringing new developments and improvements to life for our visitors, customers and service users.

This role follows a 37 hour, Monday to Friday working pattern. Travel throughout the West Midlands waterway network will also be expected to enable site visits and face to face meetings. A valid UK driving license and access to a vehicle is therefore essential.

In this role you will be working with a diverse range of stakeholders and partners planning and delivering our third party funded projects. You will be managing projects of low/medium risk and/or low/medium complexity by applying processes, methods, knowledge, skills and experience to achieve the project objectives. Towpath projects will range from £50,000 to £1,000,000 in value and be delivered with our framework contractors.

You don't need to have worked in a charity before, but we believe we can offer you an exciting change of environment and impactful projects to support and manage. Our towpaths and various historic assets provide a refreshing backdrop and unique working environment. As a Project Manager with the Canal & River Trust you will further develop your skill set and project management career alongside our canals and waterways, in an organisation that values wellbeing and work life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Work safely at all times, ensuring the safety of others and contribute to safe working in all activities.
• Capture project requirements and prepare a business case to justify investment in the project.
• Develop and monitor the project programme and key milestones to achieve the project objectives.
• Provide financial and cost management, estimating and justifying project costs, whilst controlling expenditure and evaluating the outcomes.
• Assign, lead and motivate the project team to ensure all project objectives are achieved.
• Manage risks, issues and changes on the project.
• Maintain communications with stakeholders and the project team/organisation.
• Manage all contracts applicable to the project (e.g., NEC ECC, NEC ECSC, NEC PSC). Carry out the role of the Project Manager and Supervisor as defined in the NEC.
• Handover and closure of the project highlighting any areas for improvements and elements of good practice.
• Provide environmental management by appraising the environmental impact of the project and ensuring that the controls are implemented.

About You

You're a driven project professional with strong knowledge of project management processes and hands on experience delivering multiple low-medium complexity projects. Confident working with NEC contracts and project finance, you keep schedules tight, budgets on track, and stakeholders aligned. With a positive, can do attitude and great communication skills, you bring clarity, momentum, and control to every project.

Skills & Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline, e.g. Project Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Science.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body, e.g. Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Association for Project Management (APM), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• Beneficial: Project/Programme Management accreditation/qualification, e.g. APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ), Managing Successful Programmes (MSP), PRINCE2g.

Experience:

• Proven track record of successfully managing multiple projects - from definition to delivery - within a relevant discipline/sector (e.g., construction, asset management, utilities, civil engineering, etc).
• Comprehensive knowledge of project management processes and systems.
• Knowledge and experience of Managing Safety in Construction, and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Be able to manage internal and external stakeholders, building confidence and credibility towards project processes.
• Ability to manage resources. Be able to coordinate work carried out by different people and organisations.
• Be effective at planning, monitoring and reviewing all project activities.
• Ability to develop and agree budgets for projects, control forecasts and actual costs.
• Be good at problem solving, be able to resolve conflicts, and successfully influence and negotiate.
• Possess good IT skills, including experience of MS Project.
• Valid UK driving licence - Car Cash allowance & regional/national travel, including to remote locations is expected.

What We Offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £44,000 - £46,000, we also offer Car Cash Allowance (£390 per month), a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We'll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions - without exception - are made by our hiring managers.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.