Senior Project Manager
Role Overview
The Senior Project Manager will lead complex, high-value infrastructure and energy projects, ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence, and exceptional client satisfaction. This role is accountable for end-to-end project delivery while shaping best practice, mentoring project teams, and driving continuous improvement across the wider delivery portfolio.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Project Leadership Lead large-scale or multi-phase projects from initiation through to completion.
- Coordinate and motivate cross-functional teams including engineering, commercial, and site delivery.
- Ensure projects are delivered to scope, on schedule, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Strategic Delivery Oversight Align project delivery approaches with wider business objectives and client expectations.
- Support the Operations Manager and Director with portfolio planning, reporting, and strategic decision-making.
- Contribute to decisions on project prioritisation and resource allocation.
- Financial & Commercial Management Own full project P&L performance, ensuring financial outcomes meet targets.
- Lead contract negotiations, change management activities, and commercial risk mitigation.
- Work closely with finance and commercial teams on forecasting, reporting, and cost control.
- Client & Stakeholder Management Act as the senior point of contact for clients, consultants, partners, and regulatory bodies.
- Build and maintain long-term relationships, ensuring the highest levels of client satisfaction.
- Manage escalated issues and effectively balance stakeholder expectations. Risk, Compliance & Governance Identify, evaluate, and manage project risks with robust mitigation plans.
- Ensure full compliance with HSE, quality, and regulatory standards.
- Lead incident investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Maintain accurate project documentation and support governance and audit reviews.
- Team Development & Mentorship Mentor Project Managers and junior team members, supporting their development and progression.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Lead performance reviews and contribute to succession planning and capability development.
Skills & Qualifications
Essential
Proven experience delivering large, complex infrastructure or energy projects.
Strong leadership capability with experience managing cross-functional delivery teams.
Excellent financial and commercial acumen, including P&L ownership and contract management.
Demonstrable ability to build strong client relationships and manage senior-level stakeholders.
Deep understanding of risk management, HSE standards, and regulatory compliance.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate at senior levels.
Competence in governance, reporting, and project controls.
Desirable
Degree or equivalent qualification in engineering, construction, project management, or related discipline.
Professional accreditation (APM, PMI, PRINCE2, or similar).
Experience in utilities, energy, or critical infrastructure sectors.
Line management or formal mentorship experience.
Driven by values, powered by inclusion.
At OCU, our values guide everything we do: integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation and one company united. They shape how we work with our clients, communities, and each other. We believe that inclusion is more than a principle — it’s the foundation of our success. By embracing equity and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels they belong.
Together, we build stronger teams, deliver better outcomes, and grow in ways that reflect the communities we serve. If you want to be part of a culture where values matter and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do apply now and help us shape the future together.
If you are invited to progress in the recruitment process, will you require any reasonable adjustments to support you? Please let us know so we can ensure the process is accessible and fair for you. Any information you share will be treated confidentially and will only be used to support you during the recruitment process.
- Division
- OCU Energy
- Locations
- London
- Employment Status
- PAYE/Staff
London
Our People, our Culture, our Values
As a business, we pride ourselves on operating a ‘People First’ culture, striving to constantly deliver on our 5 core company values.
1. We Care about Safety - It is our goal for everyone working on our behalf to go home healthy and safe at the end of each and every day.
2. We lead with Integrity - Integrity is central to everything we do. Without it, we wouldn’t have the relationships with our clients, nor would we have built an enviable reputation within the industry.
3. We strive to be Better everyday - We take pride in everything we do. This involves a meticulous approach to our work, endeavouring to make each day better than the last.
4. We make a Positive Impact - We want to make the places we work in better; leaving a lasting infrastructure and social legacy. We believe in proactivity to maximise impact.
5. We Deliver to Grow - The successful delivery of frameworks and contracts feeds our ability to grow strategically and strengthen OCU to expand the business and capabilities even further.
About OCU
Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering customer-focused civil engineering solutions.
Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.
We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.
We believe that being successful is a choice.
We choose to be successful.
We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.
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