Senior Project Manager – UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury
Estates, Engineering & Facilities (EEF) | Porton Down, Salisbury
Salary: Civil Service Grade 7 – £56,185 to £66,581 per annum (pro rata)
About the role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to play a leading role in delivering UKHSA’s Capital Programme at Porton Down.
Reporting to the Capital Works Programme Manager, you will be responsible for the successful delivery of complex capital, infrastructure, refurbishment and engineering projects, typically valued up to £5 million. Working in one of the UK’s most unique and highly regulated scientific environments, you will lead projects from initial business case development through procurement, construction, commissioning and handover, ensuring they are delivered safely, compliantly and to agreed time, cost and quality standards.
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to projects that directly support the UK’s health security mission. You will work closely with technical specialists, operational teams, consultants and contractors to deliver facilities and infrastructure that enable world-leading scientific research and public health activities.
As the nature of the estate and stakeholder engagement requires a strong on-site presence, this role is based full-time at Porton Down, Salisbury.
About the team
The Estates, Engineering and Facilities (EEF) Department is responsible for the management, maintenance and development of the Porton Down estate. With an annual budget of approximately £40 million, the team oversees engineering services, facilities management, environmental sustainability and capital investment programmes, ensuring the estate remains safe, compliant and fit for purpose.
The department plays a critical role in supporting UKHSA’s scientific operations by providing the infrastructure and facilities needed to deliver its national health security objectives.
What you’ll be doing
As Senior Project Manager, you will:
- Lead the delivery of capital, engineering and infrastructure projects through the full project lifecycle.
- Develop project strategies, governance arrangements, delivery plans and reporting frameworks.
- Manage project budgets, forecasts and expenditure to ensure effective financial control and value for money.
- Lead procurement activities and oversee the delivery of projects through NEC and JCT contractual arrangements.
- Manage the performance of consultants, contractors and suppliers to achieve programme, quality and commercial objectives.
- Establish and maintain effective project controls, managing risks, issues, dependencies and change.
- Develop and monitor benefits realisation plans to ensure projects deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, technical experts and operational teams.
- Present project updates and recommendations through governance boards and senior leadership forums.
- Ensure projects comply with relevant legislation, UKHSA policies, CDM Regulations and statutory requirements.
- Promote a positive health, safety and environmental culture throughout project delivery.
- Support UKHSA’s sustainability and Net Zero ambitions by embedding environmental considerations into project design and delivery.
- Lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams while promoting continuous improvement and project delivery best practice.
About you
We’re looking for a motivated and experienced project professional who can successfully lead complex programmes of work in a demanding and highly regulated environment.
Essential criteria
You will have:
- Significant experience delivering complex capital, infrastructure, engineering or construction projects from concept through to completion and benefits realisation.
- Proven experience managing projects under NEC and/or JCT forms of contract.
- Strong commercial and financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control and governance reporting.
- A recognised project management qualification such as APM PMQ, APM ChPP or equivalent.
- Strong knowledge of project governance, risk management, assurance and change control processes.
- Practical experience of applying Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) and delivering projects safely and compliantly.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering results within complex environments.
Desirable criteria
It would be advantageous if you have:
- Membership of a relevant professional institution such as RICS, CIOB, ICE, CIBSE, IMechE or RIBA.
- Experience delivering projects within research, pharmaceutical, scientific or other highly regulated environments.
- Knowledge of engineering plant, building services, infrastructure systems and commissioning processes.
- Experience working within engineering management quality systems and HSE-regulated environments.
- Understanding of environmental sustainability and Net Zero principles in project delivery.
- Experience supporting major capital investment programmes within public sector or complex operational estates.
Why join UKHSA?
This role offers the opportunity to work on diverse and technically challenging projects that support critical national infrastructure and public health outcomes. You’ll join a collaborative team environment where you can help shape the future of one of the UK’s most important scientific estates while developing your professional expertise and leadership capability.
For full details, including interview information and the complete person specification, please click ‘Apply’ to view the full advert on HealthJobsUK.