Project Manager

Charlton Recruitment

Project Manager – High Speed Two (HS2)

📍 North Acton, London OR Maple Cross, Buckinghamshire
💰 £75,000 – £83,500 + 12% Pension + Excellent Benefits
📈 Progression: Senior Project Manager (£100k – £110k+ Package)
🚄 Major National Infrastructure Programme | Long-Term Career Security

Deliver Critical Infrastructure on Britain’s New High-Speed Railway

This is a rare opportunity to join High Speed Two Ltd in a client-side Project Manager role delivering some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile infrastructure works.

Working within integrated project teams across the HS2 programme, you will act as the client representative on major live construction packages — protecting HS2’s interests throughout delivery, managing contractor performance, and ensuring works are delivered safely, on programme, and to the required quality standards.

These are not back-office programme management roles.

They are hands-on delivery positions requiring strong site presence, stakeholder management, commercial awareness, and the confidence to challenge Tier 1 contractors across highly complex construction environments.

Project Manager – Head House Buildings

📍 North Acton, London – £4.2bn London Main Works Civils

Lead the delivery of major Head House Buildings from structural works through to full operational fit-out. This role would particularly suit candidates with experience delivering stations, major buildings, fit-out, or complex infrastructure facilities.

Project Manager – MEP Fit-Out & Tunnel Systems –

📍 Maple Cross, Buckinghamshire – £1bn Main Works Civils Contract

Manage delivery of the MEP fit-out across a 16km twin-bore tunnel, associated portal buildings, shafts, and infrastructure systems. Scope includes power, fire systems, ventilation, ductwork, and integrated tunnel systems.

Why These Roles Stand Out

• Client-side role on one of Europe’s largest infrastructure programmes
• Major exposure across civils, buildings, MEP, rail systems & infrastructure integration
• High visibility across Tier 1 contractors, senior stakeholders & delivery teams
• Genuine responsibility and ownership across live construction packages
• Long-term programme security with major delivery phases running into the 2030s
• Strong progression opportunities into Senior Project Management roles
• Hybrid working and strong work-life balance culture
• Opportunity to help deliver nationally significant infrastructure that will operate for generations

The Role

Reporting into Senior Project Managers within HS2 delivery teams, you will manage the day-to-day delivery of major construction packages, ensuring contractors meet programme, quality, safety, and commercial requirements.

You will fulfil NEC3 Project Manager responsibilities on behalf of HS2, reviewing contractor performance, monitoring programme delivery, identifying emerging risks, and ensuring client interests are protected throughout delivery.

A key part of the role is being able to operate confidently within complex contractor environments — challenging where required, making decisions, and maintaining delivery momentum across highly integrated works.

Key Responsibilities

• Fulfil NEC3 Project Manager duties on behalf of HS2
• Manage contractor performance across programme, quality, cost & delivery
• Review and challenge contractor programmes and schedules
• Monitor progress against milestones, budgets, and delivery targets
• Identify delivery risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Ensure compliance with HS2 standards, technical requirements, and governance
• Support management of interfaces across civils, MEP, rail systems, and infrastructure
• Discharge delegated CDM responsibilities
• Represent HS2 confidently within integrated project teams and contractor environments
• Escalate emerging issues and support resolution across stakeholders

What We’re Looking For

You will likely come from a major infrastructure, construction, rail, stations, buildings, tunnelling, or MEP project environment with strong delivery and contractor management experience.

Essential Experience

Project Management experience on major infrastructure or construction projects
Experience managing contractors within live delivery environments
Strong understanding of NEC3 contracts and project delivery processes
Experience reviewing programmes, schedules, and delivery performance
Ability to challenge contractors and protect client interests professionally
•Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Experience balancing programme, cost, quality, and risk considerations

Backgrounds Considered

• Rail infrastructure
• Stations & buildings
• Infrastructure & heavy civils
• MEP & systems integration
• Aviation, utilities, highways, or complex infrastructure projects
• Client-side, consultancy, or Tier 1 contractor backgrounds

The Opportunity

These are career-defining opportunities to join one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure programmes in highly visible client-side delivery roles.

You will gain exposure to complex multidisciplinary construction, integrated systems delivery, and major programme management while helping shape infrastructure that will operate for decades to come