Job Description

Location: Kent - Flexible / Hybrid

AMP8 represents one of the most ambitious periods of investment the UK water sector has ever seen. We're looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to help turn strategic investment plans into deliverable projects that will improve resilience, protect the environment and support future communities.

This is a front-end project management role, responsible for leading projects through their development and mobilisation phases before construction begins. You'll oversee procurement and tender activities, navigate regulatory and governance requirements, and bring together internal and external stakeholders to ensure projects are fully developed, approved and ready for delivery.

Working across a portfolio of high-value capital schemes, you'll play a critical role in ensuring AMP8 investment is delivered safely, efficiently and compliantly from day one.

As Senior Project Manager, you'll lead the early lifecycle of major infrastructure projects, providing strategic leadership and ensuring every project is positioned for successful execution.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the front-end development of major AMP8 capital projects from concept through to delivery readiness.
• Managing procurement strategies, tender processes and supplier engagement in line with organisational governance and procurement legislation.
• Coordinating regulatory approvals, environmental consents and statutory compliance activities to support project progression.
• Developing robust business cases, project governance documentation and investment approvals.
• Managing project budgets, programmes, risks and opportunities throughout the development phase.
• Building strong relationships with regulators, local authorities, consultants, contractors and internal delivery teams.
• Driving collaboration across engineering, commercial, environmental and operational functions to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Ensuring projects are fully defined, appropriately resourced and transitioned seamlessly into the delivery phase.

You'll be an experienced project professional with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with delivering capital investment programmes within the regulated water sector.

You'll bring:

• Demonstrable experience managing complex infrastructure or capital projects within the UK water sector, utilities or a similarly regulated environment.
• Proven expertise in front-end project development, project mobilisation and governance.
• Strong knowledge of procurement, tender management and commercial best practice.
• Experience navigating regulatory frameworks, environmental compliance and stakeholder approvals.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, regulators, supply chain partners and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent commercial, financial and risk management capability.
• Experience working within NEC contracts and capital delivery frameworks is advantageous.
• APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent project management qualification.
• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction, Project Management or a related discipline (desirable).