Senior Project Manager (Manchester, ENG)

Vertical Recruitment is working with a growing independent construction consultancy in Manchester to appoint a Senior Project Manager to its team.

The business brings together experienced professionals with backgrounds in construction, regeneration and development, with a strong focus on delivering complex projects and building long-term client relationships.

Its portfolio spans regeneration, mixed-use development, public sector programmes and wider construction projects across the North West, with involvement from early development and design through to construction and completion.

What makes this opportunity particularly interesting is the working environment. It's a smaller, experienced team where people work closely together, senior colleagues remain involved in projects and individuals have the opportunity to take genuine responsibility for their work.

For someone who enjoys managing projects but would welcome more variety, closer client relationships and a less corporate environment, this could be a good fit.

The Consultancy

The consultancy takes a collaborative, straightforward approach to project delivery, combining technical expertise with a broader understanding of development and regeneration.

Rather than operating through multiple layers of management, the team works closely with clients, providing practical advice and remaining involved throughout the project lifecycle.

There's a strong emphasis on communication, building relationships and creating an environment where people feel supported while having the freedom to manage their own responsibilities.

A few things that stand out:

• Experienced team: Working alongside established professionals with backgrounds in complex construction and development.
• Direct client exposure: Building relationships with developers, local authorities and wider project stakeholders.
• Collaborative culture: A close-knit team where knowledge is shared and people work together to resolve challenges.
• Greater involvement: The opportunity to contribute to project decisions and the wider development process.
• Growing business: Scope to take on further responsibility and contribute as the consultancy develops.

The Projects

One of the main attractions of this opportunity is the variety of projects the consultancy is involved in.

The business works across a portfolio of regeneration and development commissions, often supporting clients from the earliest stages of a project through to construction and delivery.

Projects include:

• Town centre regeneration: Major redevelopment programmes involving masterplanning, phased delivery and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Mixed-use development: Projects bringing together residential, commercial and community uses.
• Public sector programmes: Supporting local authorities and public sector clients with development and capital investment projects.
• Public realm and urban improvements: Projects focused on improving existing spaces and infrastructure.
• Refurbishment and redevelopment: Complex projects involving existing buildings and operational environments.

The variety provides exposure to different clients, project stages and delivery challenges, rather than being focused on one particular scheme.

The Role

As Senior Project Manager, you'll manage a varied portfolio of construction and development projects, working directly with clients and leading multidisciplinary teams throughout delivery.

Projects span different stages of the RIBA Plan of Work (Stages 0–7), from early strategic definition, feasibility and design development through to procurement, construction and handover.

Depending on the commission, you'll be involved in shaping early project decisions, coordinating design teams, establishing delivery strategies or overseeing construction-stage activities.

The role offers a balance of independent project responsibility and collaboration with experienced colleagues, with the opportunity to develop strong client relationships and contribute to the wider business.

Responsibilities will include:

• Managing projects from initial briefing and feasibility through to design, procurement, construction and completion.
• Leading and coordinating multidisciplinary consultant and design teams across relevant RIBA stages.
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients and wider project stakeholders.
• Managing project programmes, budgets, risks and reporting.
• Supporting procurement strategies, tendering and contractor appointments.
• Overseeing construction-stage delivery, including programme, quality and project performance.
• Coordinating relationships with developers, local authorities, contractors and consultants.
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate project governance and reporting processes.
• Identifying project challenges and working collaboratively to develop practical solutions.
• Supporting client relationships and contributing to the consultancy's wider activities.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Project Manager with a strong background in construction and development delivery, ideally gained within a consultancy or client-side environment.

Experience across regeneration, mixed-use, residential, commercial or public sector projects would be particularly relevant, although backgrounds in other complex construction projects would also be of interest.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Experience operating at Senior Project Manager level, with the ability to manage commissions independently.
• A strong understanding of the RIBA Plan of Work and the wider construction and development lifecycle.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants and contractors.
• Knowledge of procurement, construction contracts, programming and risk management.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management experience.
• Experience coordinating projects through design, procurement and construction stages.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to provide clear, practical advice.
• A collaborative, organised and proactive approach to project delivery.
• A relevant construction-related degree or professional qualification, with chartership beneficial.

What's on Offer?

One of the main attractions of this opportunity is the combination of interesting projects and the environment you'll be working in.

You'll be joining a smaller, experienced team where senior colleagues remain closely involved in projects and there's a genuine emphasis on collaboration, communication and sharing knowledge.

The portfolio offers variety, with exposure to regeneration, development and complex construction projects at different stages of the RIBA Plan of Work. This provides the opportunity to broaden your experience, from early-stage development and design through to construction and completion.

There's also the opportunity to take ownership of your own commissions, work directly with clients and become involved in wider project decisions, rather than being limited to a particular stage of delivery.

As the consultancy continues to grow, there is scope to take on further responsibility, develop client relationships and contribute to the direction of the business.

For someone who values interesting projects, experienced colleagues and a more personal working environment, there's a lot to like about the opportunity.

The Opportunity

If you're currently working within a larger consultancy and would welcome a more personal working environment, greater project involvement or a broader range of commissions, this could be worth exploring.

Equally, if you're already part of an independent consultancy but would like exposure to more complex regeneration and development projects, there's plenty to find interesting here.

It's an opportunity to work on varied projects, alongside experienced colleagues, within a business where you can have a genuine influence on the work you're delivering.

For further information, please contact Freya Handley at Vertical Recruitment for a confidential discussion.