Senior Project Manager / Contract Manager

Job Title:       Senior Project Manager / Contract Manager
Salary:           Competitive and dependent on experience
Location:       Home Based / UK Wide
Contract:       Permanent / Full time

About IES
IES Utilities Group is a leading UK utility provider delivering end-to-end multi discipline solutions. Our teams operate across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating and Renewables, providing survey, design, construction, and maintenance services nationwide. With a commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability, IES supports clients in building and maintaining resilient, future-ready infrastructure networks across the UK.

About the Role
IES Group is seeking an experienced Senior Project / Contract Manager to lead the delivery of complex engineering design and build projects within the UK gas infrastructure sector.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe, compliant, and profitable delivery of major gas transmission and distribution projects from initial development through detailed design, construction, commissioning and handover. This role requires extensive experience managing multidisciplinary teams, commercial performance, client relationships, and programme delivery within highly regulated environments.

The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record delivering projects for National Gas and Cadent and have a strong understanding of UK gas industry standards, policies, and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Lead the successful delivery of complex gas infrastructure projects across design and construction phases.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, programme, quality and budget.
• Develop and implement project execution strategies aligned to client and business objectives.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with relevant UK gas industry specifications, standards and legislation.
• Provide leadership throughout project life cycles from concept through commissioning and handover.

Contract Management

• Manage NEC, bespoke client and framework contracts.
• Monitor contractual obligations, risks, opportunities and change management processes.
• Ensure robust commercial governance and control of project costs, budgets and forecasting.
• Lead the resolution of contractual issues and disputes where required.
• Work closely with commercial teams to maximise project profitability and cash flow performance.

Client Relationship Management

• Act as the primary senior interface with National Gas, Cadent and other strategic clients.
• Develop long-term client relationships through consistent delivery excellence.
• Lead project review meetings, governance boards and stakeholder workshops.
• Identify and support business development opportunities within existing frameworks and contracts.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead multidisciplinary teams including engineering, construction, commercial, planning and HSEQ personnel.
• Provide mentorship and professional development support to Project Managers and Engineers.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability and delivery.
• Support recruitment and resource planning activities across the Gas Division.

Health, Safety, Quality and Environment

• Champion IES Utilities' health, safety and wellbeing culture.
• Ensure all projects comply with CDM Regulations, client requirements and company procedures.
• Promote sustainable delivery methods and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive quality assurance and governance processes across all projects.

Risk and Governance

• Identify, manage and mitigate project and contractual risks.
• Produce and present project performance reports to senior leadership and clients.
• Ensure compliance with all internal governance, reporting and approval processes.
• Maintain robust programme controls and change management procedures.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience delivering engineering and construction projects within the UK gas industry.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex design and build projects.
• Significant experience delivering projects for National Gas and Cadent.
• Strong understanding of gas transmission, distribution and associated infrastructure.
• Experience operating within framework agreements and regulated utility environments.
• Proven track record managing projects from bid stage through to final account.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary delivery teams across geographically dispersed locations.
• Strong commercial and contractual management experience, including NEC forms of contract.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Valid UK Driving Licence.
• Professional membership with a recognised institution (ICE, IET, IChemE, APM or equivalent).
• SMSTS or equivalent site management qualification.

Desirable Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or equivalent.
• NEC Project Manager Accreditation.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner.
• CDM Principal Contractor or Principal Designer experience.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership.

• Commercial acumen.

• Stakeholder management.

• Contract negotiation.

• Risk management.

• Programme management.

• Team development.

• Client relationship management.

• Decision making.

• Communication and influencing skills.

Travel Requirements

• Regular travel to Manchester Head Office and project sites across the UK.

• Occasional overnight stays may be required depending on project location and operational requirements.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Long-term and stable career opportunities.

• Exposure to major utility and infrastructure projects across the UK.

• Professional development and ongoing training support.

• Opportunity to work within a growing and ambitious engineering business.

• Collaborative and supportive team environment focused on safety, quality and innovation.

• Clear progression pathways into Senior Engineering, Design Management and Technical Leadership roles.