Senior Project Manager

Job description

Senior Project Manager - Capital Works (Construction)

Salary: Grade 11 | £60,340 - £65,483
Closing Date: Sunday 20th September 2026
Department: CA Place Directorate
Location: GMCA - Greater Manchester
Division: Land & Property
Hours Per Week: 36.25
Term: Permanent

Senior Project Manager (Land & Property - Construction)

Residing within Greater Manchester and being able to regularly travel across Greater Manchester sites would be beneficial.

Grade 11 | Greater Manchester | Closing Date: Sunday 20th September 2026

Deliver the Future of Greater Manchester's Fire Estate

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of one of Greater Manchester's most ambitious and high-profile capital transformation programmes.

As a Senior Project Manager in Construction, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the Strategic Transformation Programme for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), overseeing the development of new-build fire stations, major refurbishment projects and estate decarbonisation initiatives. Your work will directly support the modernisation of critical emergency service infrastructure while contributing to Greater Manchester's wider ambitions around sustainability, operational excellence and public service transformation.

You will be responsible for leading the successful delivery of strategically important capital projects, managing programmes from inception through to completion, and ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.

Why This Role Is Different

This is not a traditional project management role. You will:

• Lead the delivery of transformational capital projects that directly support frontline emergency services.

• Manage complex new-build and refurbishment fire station developments from RIBA Stage 1 through to completion.

• Help shape the future of the GMFRS estate by supporting the development of a standardised fire station design approach.

• Work across strategy, design, procurement, construction and operational service delivery.

• Lead multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors and stakeholders in a complex public sector environment.

• Influence decision-making and ensure capital investment delivers measurable operational and community benefits.

Your leadership will help ensure critical infrastructure projects are delivered successfully and create lasting benefits for the communities of Greater Manchester.

Your Role: Leadership, Project Delivery and Transformation

You will provide senior project management leadership across a portfolio of capital construction projects and programmes, ensuring strong governance, effective stakeholder engagement and successful delivery outcomes.

Lead Complex Capital Projects

• Lead the delivery of strategically important construction and estate transformation (refurbishment) projects.

• Manage projects through all stages of development from initial business case and design through procurement, construction and handover.

• Oversee new-build fire station projects and major refurbishment schemes, ensuring delivery against programme, cost and quality objectives.

• Develop and maintain project plans, delivery strategies and governance documentation.

• Ensure projects remain aligned to strategic objectives and agreed investment priorities.

Drive Programme Performance

• Coordinate project resources and ensure delivery capacity is aligned to programme requirements.

• Monitor programme performance, risks, dependencies and delivery milestones.

• Maintain comprehensive risk registers and implement mitigation strategies where required.

• Produce clear and insightful reports for governance boards, senior managers and stakeholders.

• Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and best practice application.

Manage Procurement and Commercial Delivery

• Lead the procurement of design teams, consultants and contractors in accordance with GMCA governance requirements.

• Oversee consultant and contractor performance throughout project delivery.

• Support effective contract management and value-for-money outcomes.

• Maintain oversight of project budgets, financial performance and expenditure forecasting.

Build Strong Partnerships

• Develop productive relationships with operational service leaders, end users, consultants and contractors.

• Act as a trusted adviser and key point of contact across project teams and stakeholders.

• Work collaboratively across Finance, Procurement, Property and Operational Teams.

• Influence and engage stakeholders at all levels to secure commitment and successful outcomes.

What You Bring

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated project leader who can successfully manage complex capital construction projects within a fast-paced and multifaceted public sector environment.

Professional Experience

• Significant experience in senior project management roles within construction, property or capital programme delivery.

• Proven success delivering complex multi-site construction programmes.

• Experience working across public sector, local government or similarly regulated environments.

• Strong knowledge of RIBA Plan of Work stages, project governance and construction delivery processes.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, consultants and contractors.

• Experience managing budgets, contracts and supply chains.

Technical and Leadership Capability

• Strong programme and project management expertise.

• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills.

• Strong financial planning and budget management capability.

• Knowledge and experience in the management of JCT and NEC contracts and contract administration principles.

• Outstanding analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to translate strategic objectives into successful delivery programmes.

Skills and Behaviours

• Passionate about delivering positive outcomes for communities across Greater Manchester.

• Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities.

• Strong leadership capability with a collaborative approach.

• Politically aware and comfortable operating within complex stakeholder environments.

• Committed to continuous improvement and personal development.

• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Impact You'll Have

This role is about much more than project delivery.

You will play a leading role in transforming essential emergency service infrastructure, helping to create modern, sustainable and future-ready facilities that support frontline operations across Greater Manchester.

In this role, you will:

• Deliver transformational capital projects that directly support public safety.

• Improve the operational effectiveness and resilience of GMFRS facilities.

• Support the delivery of decarbonisation and sustainability objectives.

• Ensure public investment delivers measurable value and long-term benefits.

• Help establish a high-performing approach to project and programme delivery across the organisation.

Why Join GMCA and What Sets Us Apart?

There has never been a more important time to invest in public infrastructure and estate transformation.

You will join a dedicated team delivering major capital programmes that will shape the future of Greater Manchester's emergency service estate. Working with experienced property, programme and project professionals, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine and lasting difference to communities across the city region.

You will be part of a team that is:

• Delivering transformational capital investment programmes.

• Supporting sustainability and net-zero ambitions across the public estate.

• Driving innovation in design, construction and programme delivery.

• Working collaboratively to achieve meaningful public outcomes.

• Committed to excellence, continuous improvement and professional development.

Ready to Lead Transformational Projects?

If you are an experienced Senior Construction Project Manager looking for the opportunity to deliver complex and meaningful projects with lasting regional impact, we'd like to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to lead high-profile capital projects that matter, helping to transform vital public assets and supporting the future resilience of Greater Manchester's emergency services.

Joining Our Team Offers a Host of Exceptional Benefits

• Hybrid Working - flexibility to blend office and remote working.

• Learning and Development opportunities to support your career growth.

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years' service.

• Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.2% employer contribution.

• Season Ticket Loans, Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

• Volunteering opportunities to support local communities.

• Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7.

• Occupational Health support and wellbeing services. How to Apply

Applications close Sunday 20th September 2026

Submit your CV to register your interest or request an informal discussion.

For further information about the role, please contact [email protected].

Mandatory Information:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

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For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA's hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to 'Build Back Fairer' in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our on-site locations with remote working, typically from home; the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: 'Do what is right for you and the business on that day'. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application?