Senior Project Manager (MEP)

 

Location: Cumbria (Site Based)
Security Clearance: SC Clearance Required (or ability to obtain)
Project: Major Secure Infrastructure Programme (£10m-£30m+)
Employment Type: Permanent

 

About the Role

 

NG Bailey is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager (MEP) to lead the delivery of a major long-term infrastructure project on a highly secure site in Cumbria. This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a significant £10 - £30m+ project, managing the entire lifecycle from pre-construction and planning through to commissioning, handover, and close-out.

Operating within a security-cleared environment, you will be responsible for delivering complex MEP works safely, efficiently, and profitably while maintaining exceptional standards of stakeholder engagement and client satisfaction. This is a hands-on, site-based leadership role requiring a strong project delivery background, commercial awareness, and proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors.

 

What You'll Be Doing

 

• Leading the successful delivery of a major MEP/CIVIL/Scaffold project from cradle to grave.
• Taking full accountability for programme, budget, quality, safety, and client satisfaction.
• Managing a team of approximately 20 including project engineers, site managers, supervisors, planners, commercial and support functions.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key client representatives, consultants, framework partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Leading all project governance, reporting, forecasting, and risk management activities.
• Managing multiple specialist subcontractors, ensuring performance, compliance, and programme commitments are achieved.
• Driving programme delivery in line with NEC contract requirements.
• Identifying and mitigating project risks whilst maximising opportunities for improved performance and commercial outcomes.
• Leading project review meetings, progress reporting, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Ensuring compliance with all security protocols, statutory requirements, and company policies.
• Promoting a culture of safety, collaboration, quality, and continuous improvement across the project team.

What We're Looking For

 

• Proven experience operating as a Senior Project Manager or Project Director on major MEP or building services projects valued at £10-£30m+.
• Demonstrable experience delivering projects from inception through to completion and handover.
• Strong track record managing large site-based teams and complex subcontract supply chains.
• Extensive stakeholder management experience within high-profile or secure environments.
• Excellent understanding and practical application of NEC contracts.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability.
• Experience managing programmes, risk registers, forecasts, and project controls.
• Excellent communication, leadership, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, technically complex project environment.
• Principal contractor experience
• Understanding of RIBA design stages
• People development and leadership focus

 

Essential Requirements

 

• Current SC Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain clearance.
• Significant experience delivering mechanical and electrical projects within highly regulated or secure environments.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Willingness to work full-time on site in Cumbria (Barrow in Furness).
• APM PMQ / Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), or equivalent recognised project management qualification.
• Degree or HNC/HND in Construction Management, Building Services, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong demonstrable experience delivering large-scale, complex MEP/construction projects from pre-construction through delivery, commissioning and handover.
• Working knowledge of NEC and/or JCT contracts, with experience managing contractual obligations and change.
• Strong understanding of CDM Regulations 2015, health and safety legislation and construction compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage programme, cost, quality, safety and client expectations against agreed project objectives.

What's in It for You?

 

• Opportunity to lead a landmark long-term infrastructure project.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Private healthcare.
• Enhanced pension contribution.
• Life assurance and flexible benefits package.
• Structured career development within one of the UK's leading engineering and construction organisations.

Additional Support

 

We recognise that specialist project delivery expertise is not always available within commuting distance of Cumbria. Therefore, living allowances and accommodation support may be available for candidates required to stay away from home, subject to individual circumstances.

 

Apply Now

 

If you're an experienced Senior Project Manager with a proven track record delivering major MEP projects, strong NEC expertise, and the ability to lead high-performing teams within a secure environment, we'd like to hear from you.

 

Next Steps: 

As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation.  

We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. 

 

About Us: 

We are one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training. 

Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward-thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies. 

Progression is something we value, and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be. 

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