Job Description

Overview

Join our Complex Projects | Construction and Property team and lead the delivery of high-profile projects across the region. Working in a collaborative environment, you will manage complex project portfolios, build strong client relationships, lead multidisciplinary teams, and drive successful project outcomes.

As a Senior Project Manager / Associate Director, you will combine technical expertise, commercial awareness, and leadership capability to deliver projects safely, efficiently, and profitably while contributing to business growth and client satisfaction.

Flexible and remote working are integral to our culture, enabling our people to balance professional success with personal ambitions.

Role Purpose

Lead the successful delivery of complex construction and property projects throughout the full project lifecycle, acting as a trusted client advisor while ensuring commercial performance, quality outcomes, and effective team leadership.

Your role

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead complex projects and programmes from inception through design, procurement, construction, handover, and close-out.
• Establish project scope, governance, delivery strategies, reporting structures, risk management, and change-control processes.
• Provide strategic advice on project delivery models, procurement approaches, consultant and contractor appointments, and contract selection, including NEC and JCT.
• Ensure effective management of programme, cost, quality, risk, sustainability, health and safety, and stakeholder requirements.
• Chair project governance meetings and prepare reports, recommendations, and decision papers for senior stakeholders.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary client contact and trusted advisor, maintaining strong relationships and high service standards.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and facilitate effective collaboration across client, consultant, and contractor teams.
• Identify opportunities to enhance client value, secure repeat business, and strengthen market presence.

Commercial & Business Performance

• Maintain accountability for project and commission financial performance, including fee management, forecasting, change control, invoicing, profitability, and resource planning.
• Contribute to bids, proposals, framework submissions, interviews, and business development activities.
• Support pipeline growth through client engagement, account development, and market intelligence.

People Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Mentor and support project managers and junior colleagues through coaching, development planning, and professional accreditation guidance.
• Promote knowledge sharing, lessons learned, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Business & Operational Contribution

• Ensure compliance with AtkinsRéalis policies, quality standards, governance requirements, and professional best practices.
• For Associate Director level, contribute to business planning, operational performance, recruitment, talent development, succession planning, and regional growth initiatives.

About you

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Construction, Project Management, Engineering, Property, or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a recognised professional institution (MRICS, MCIOB, MAPM, or equivalent). Candidates actively pursuing chartership may be considered where supported by significant relevant experience.

Experience

• Proven experience in project management within a construction consultancy, property, or related environment.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex projects across the full project lifecycle.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing senior client relationships.
• Track record of managing project finances, commercial performance, resource planning, and profitability.
• Experience supporting business development, bid submissions, and work-winning activities.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, governance, and delivery frameworks.
• Knowledge of UK procurement routes and standard forms of contract, including NEC and JCT.
• Understanding of UK construction-related health & safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, decision-making, and organisational skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to provide strategic, evidence-based advice to senior clients and project teams.
• Commercially aware with strong problem-solving and risk-management capabilities.
• Collaborative, inclusive, and proactive approach with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driving licence.
• Willingness to travel to client and project locations as required.

Role Level Expectations

Senior Project Manager

• Independently lead complex commissions and major project teams.
• Manage key client relationships and project delivery performance.
• Contribute to work-winning, service development, and team leadership initiatives.

Associate Director

• Demonstrate broader accountability for client accounts, commercial performance, operational delivery, market growth, and people leadership.
• Contribute to regional business strategy and organisational development.

 Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

Worker Type

Job Type

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.