Job Description

Interim Pre-Construction Housing Delivery Project Manager
Initial 12 month contract (with a view to extend)
Harlow District Council
£450.00 per day (umbrella)
Location: Harlow (1-3 days per week onsite)

Carrington West are supporting Harlow District Council in the recruitment of a Project Manager - Delivery on a 12-month temporary basis.
Harlow District Council is an ambitious authority delivering a significant Housing Capital Programme, with investment of approximately £150m over the next two years. The council is building a high-performing team of professionals to support the delivery of its housing and asset management priorities.
Harlow itself offers a strong quality of life, with excellent shopping, leisure facilities, and strong transport links, including access to the M11 and M25, as well as rail connections to London and Stansted Airport.

The role
Harlow Council is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Project Manager to join its Housing Capital Works team, supporting the early-stage development of a large-scale programme of refurbishment and component replacement works across occupied council homes, including both low- and high-rise blocks.
The role sits within a fast-paced pre-construction environment where you will take responsibility for shaping future investment programmes before delivery begins. This includes ensuring schemes are properly scoped, designed, costed and fully compliant prior to handover to the delivery phase.
Working collaboratively with internal housing, asset management and procurement teams, as well as external consultants and technical advisors, you will help identify priority estates and buildings, coordinate surveys, inspections and feasibility work, and develop well-defined capital projects ready for tender and delivery.
A key part of the role will involve ensuring all works are developed in line with CDM 2015 regulations, the Building Safety Act 2022 and RIBA Plan of Work principles, with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance and quality in occupied residential environments.
You will also work closely with procurement colleagues to support the tendering and evaluation of consultancy services and planned works, and with delivery teams to ensure smooth transition from pre-construction into execution. Resident and leaseholder engagement will form part of the process, ensuring appropriate consultation is supported throughout programme development.
This is a role for someone who can operate across multiple schemes at different stages, maintaining a strong overview of programme priorities while driving detailed project development at pace.

The experience you will bring:
A minimum of 5 years' experience in a similar role with either a housing association or local authority
Proven experience managing housing refurbishment projects and multi-million-pound contracts (£3-5m)
Experience managing consultants and contractor performance
Experience of design and build contracts (desirable)
Experience managing a team, including Project Managers and Resident Liaison Officers
Strong experience in KPI reporting, budget monitoring, and monthly valuations
HND or RICS qualification (or equivalent)

If you are an experienced Project Manager with a strong background in housing delivery and capital works programmes, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking council with ambitious investment plans.
For more information or to apply, please contact Melanie at Carrington West by applying before Wednesday 8th July 2026.