Senior Project Manager

Location/s: Madrid, ES
Recruiter contact: Maria Cervantes

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

Mott MacDonald’s Advisory and Programme Delivery (APD) unit delivers both project, programme & commercial management (PPCM) services and advisory solutions across the built environment, defence, energy, water, environmental, transportation, health and care sectors.

We deliver tailored solutions that directly address our clients’ key challenges, combining our world-leading project expertise with unrivalled programme delivery capabilities and advisory services.

APD delivers services to projects ranging in scale and complexity up to £20bn, through the technical disciplines of programme management, project management, project controls, scheduling, cost management, estimating, infrastructure finance, management consulting, digital consulting and education, health and care management.  

Environment & water

Our multidisciplinary experts help water, wastewater, and government organisations find sustainable, cost-effective solutions to the challenges of climate change, net-zero, water scarcity and environmental protection.

We work with around half of the UK’s regulated water and wastewater companies, and our work stretches across the entire project lifecycle - from pre-contract cost estimating and benchmarking, to post-contract quantity surveying and commercial assurance.

For project and programme management, we deliver capital projects on behalf of our clients, both internal and external that range from several hundred thousand pounds in value to major projects and programmes worth over £0.5bn.

Overview of the role

As a Senior Project Manager you will lead complex workstreams on major infrastructure projects in England. This opportunity will enable you to shape the direction of our growing Project management team and be part of the senior team delivering a nationally significant portfolio of projects. You will drive innovation of our service delivery and provide mature programme and project management advice to the team and an integrated client.

Working within the Environment and Water Portfolio (ENW), with clients such as Thames Water and Southern Water, you will be responsible for the delivery of both above ground and below ground water and wastewater construction projects.

Responsible for delivery of projects (client side) ensuring:

• Delivery on time within cost and to stated quality standards
• Ensure the embedding of sustainability principles
• Effective management of health, safety and wellbeing of all those engaged on the project
• Deliver within specified internal and client governance tolerances
• Ensure the relevant safety management system has been employed
• Coordinate and manage contract requirements (NEC or Icheme) relating to design solutions, construction and commissioning
• Collaborate with the Technical lead as per the delivery strategy to ensure excellence in Health and Safety in design
• Responsible for capturing cost efficiencies during pre-construction phases without compromising the scope of the project
• Responsible for taking the project to the Project Board and guarantee the allocation of capital allowing the progress of the project throughout the lifecycle
• Be accountable for the expenditure, and overall out turn cost for the project including authorisation through specified governance
• Ensure effective communication and interfaces with the supply chain and procurement functions
• Be responsible for ensuring the change control process is followed including managing and recording all change to time, cost and quality
• Active stakeholder management to clarify requirements and agree project objectives and priorities. Maintain stakeholder involvement in key decisions
• Manage project risk and opportunities effectively - take responsibility for the identification, allocation and management of the project risk and opportunities, taking effective mitigation measures to reduce risk
• Be accountable for the commercial objectives specific to the project - ensure necessary reporting & information is delivered on time, to the required standard
• Maintain excellent communications with the client and wider programme team
• Be responsible for the project programme. Work with multidisciplinary delivery teams to update the programme as required
• Ensure the effective and efficient close out of all projects

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Engineering and/or Project Management degree or relevant extensive experience in project management
• A relevant professional qualification preferably APM or PMI
• Full Membership, or working towards full membership of a relevant chartered body; MAPM, MCIWEM, MICE, MCIOB, MRICS etc or non-UK equivalent (e.g. PMP)
• Project management experience across a range of disciplines, contract/procurement
• Experience of managing projects within the Water and Environment Sector
• Excellent written and oral communication
• High degree of commercial acumen and knowledge of planning and project controls
• Experience of working with FIDIC, NEC or Public Works Contracts
• Experience of managing and leading project teams to successful outcomes, as well as mentoring or managing junior project managers
• Strong client and stakeholder relationship building skills
• Flexibility to travel to client sites and other MM offices (UK and Ireland)

Desirable:

• Ability to motivate, inspire and develop high performing teams
• Ability to create an enjoyable and fulfilling work environment
• Strong focus on health and wellbeing
• Broad experience in the public sector environment
• Significant experience in administering a wide range of contracts
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrable collaborative behaviours
• Proven leadership skills with ability to adapt leadership style
• Experience of working ‘client side’ for utilities companies
• Experience working in the Spanish market
• NEC accreditation (3 or 4)

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. 

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Competitive annual leave
• Pension scheme 
• Life insurance
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Private medical insurance 
• Optional benefits via salary sacrifice (restaurant voucher/transport card/day care voucher)
• Continuous development opportunities – because we want you to thrive  
• Agile/flexible working – because life isn’t 9-5  
• Annual bonus scheme  
• Wellbeing support including access to an independent Employer Assistance Scheme, wellbeing champions and access to learning and support resources 
• Access to our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities 
• The opportunity to make a difference; learn more about our social outcomes

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Agile working 

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.