Job Title : Construction Project Manager

Role Purpose

The Construction Project Manager is responsible for the planning, delivery, and successful completion of major capital projects within the university campus. The role involves managing multi-disciplinary teams, overseeing contractors and consultants, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget. Experience with large-scale university or public-sector capital programmes and strong working knowledge of FIDIC contract forms is desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Development

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of large-scale capital development projects
• Work with internal stakeholders, academic units, Estates teams, and external consultants to define project scope, objectives, feasibility studies, and business cases.
• Develop and maintain project plans, risk registers, schedules, procurement strategies, and cost forecasts.

Design & Technical Coordination

• Coordinate the work of architects, engineers, consultants, and specialist advisors from concept through detailed design.
• Ensure adherence to university design standards, sustainability frameworks, building regulations, accessibility requirements, and statutory obligations.
• Review drawings, specifications, and technical submissions to ensure compliance with project goals.

Procurement & Contract Management

• Lead procurement of consultants, contractors, and specialist suppliers in line with public procurement rules.
• Manage pre-qualification, tendering, evaluation, and appointment processes.
• Administer and manage projects under FIDIC contracts (Red, Yellow, or Silver Book depending on project type).
• Monitor contractor performance, manage variations/claims, and oversee contract administration with the appointed Employer’s Representative.

Construction Delivery & Site Management

• Oversee site activities to ensure quality, programme adherence, safety compliance, and technical accuracy.
• Conduct regular site inspections, progress meetings, and H&S audits.
• Monitor cost, schedule, risks, and performance metrics throughout construction.
• Manage project handover, commissioning, snagging, and transition to operations.

Stakeholder & Communication Management

• Act as the primary contact for internal stakeholders including academic staff, senior management, Estates teams, and end-users.
• Prepare project reports, briefing papers, board updates, and communications for senior leadership.
• Resolve issues proactively and maintain transparent communication across all project phases.

Financial & Risk Management

• Establish, monitor, and control project budgets.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure robust cost management practices and value-for-money delivery.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related discipline.
• Minimum 7+ years’ experience managing large-scale construction projects, preferably in higher education or public-sector environments.
• Proven track record delivering complex projects on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.
• Strong understanding of capital project governance, risk management, compliance, and statutory approvals.
• Excellent communication, leadership, budgeting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Project Management Qualification (PMP/Prince 2 or Diploma)
• Expertise in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, BIM workflows).

Desirable Requirements

• Master’s degree or professional accreditation
• Experience in campus-wide infrastructure, laboratory buildings, student facilities, or research facilities.
• Knowledge of sustainability standards (LEED, BREEAM, NZEB).
• Familiarity with BIM Level 2+ processes and digital construction methodologies.
• Experience delivering projects within publicly funded environments and public procurement rules.