AtkinsRéalis
Associare Director - Project Management
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Senior Technical Advisory Role – Associate Director (Education Portfolio, North West)
About the Role
A senior technical advisory position to shape and deliver a £300m+ education portfolio as part of a national programme exceeding 100 school projects.
AtkinsRéalis is a key partner on the Department for Education’s [(Technical Advisory Services 2025 framework)(https://)]**, supporting delivery across multiple projects. In the North West, the current portfolio consists of 12 live school replacement projects, with expansion planned for up to 15–18. We are seeking an Associate Director to provide technical direction, commercial oversight, and client assurance, while ensuring alignment with national delivery standards and driving high-performance outcomes.
This role offers unique opportunities:
- Leading in a strategic, high-impact education programme with industry-wide influence
- Direct collaboration with the national framework team under a growing £300m+ portfolio
- Progression pathway toward Director-level leadership within AtkinsRéalis
- Client-facing engagement with senior stakeholders (DfE, Project Directors, Operations Leadership) within a £250–£300m operational landscape
Key Responsibilities
Technical & Delivery Leadership
- Act as the regional technical advisor lead across all NW DfE projects, ensuring alignment with framework and national delivery standards
- Provide assurance throughout the project lifecycle, focusing on:
- Governance structures
- Risk management
- Strategic delivery plans
- Lead gateway reviews and drive portfolio-level performance improvements
- Mentor and influence project teams (without direct management) to ensure high-quality, best-in-class delivery
Framework Integration
- Ensure seamless alignment with the national delivery team within the DfE Technical Advisory Services 2025 framework
- Leverage expertise to enforce consistent processes, reporting, and methodological approaches across all projects
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Commercial & Financial Management
- Offer portfolio-wide financial oversight, including:
- Healthcare management of fees, scope variations, and commercial risks
- Support 90% utilisation target attainment while maintaining profitability
- Alignment with monthly reporting cycles and business P&L accountability
- Contribute to disciplined finances to deliver robust commercial performance and profitability at a national level
Client Leadership
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the DfE’s senior leadership, enhancing AtkinsRéalis’ reputation as a strategic framework partner
- Forge strong relationships with:
- DfE Head of Operations
- Client Project Directors in the North West and across the UK
- Business leadership (e.g., Head of Project Management – NW)
Your Profile
We are looking for a senior leader with proven technical and commercial expertise. Essential:
- Project/Programme Management experience in the built environment (minimum Associate Director or Director-level capability)
- Public sector (education/built environment) experience, with a focus on -schools or infrastructure
- In-depth knowledge of the DfE Technical Advisory Services (TAS 2025) framework
- Auditories to operate at portfolio scale, ensuring technical consistency across multiple projects
- Strong commercial awareness in managing fees, scope changes, costs, and contracts (e.g., JCT preferred)
- Ability to deliver aligned monthly reporting into the business’s profit & loss cycles
- Stakeholder engagement strengths—confident, communicative, and collaborative with client and senior executive audiences
- Chartered status (e.g., APM Chartered Project Professional, RICS Chartered Member) or equivalent professional credential
Desirable:
- National framework-level experience in large-scale public sector programmes
- Direct experience with DfE framework contracts, TAS programmes, or similar £500m+ portfolios
- Contractual expertise (e.g., JCT 2023, full employer/builder specific terms)\
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What’s in It for You
Our rewards and benefits are tailored to support your career and quality of life. Core features include:
✅ Competitive salary with varied annual bonus structure ✅ Proactive employee reward programme, including stock options and share savings plans ✅ Generous career development opportunities (education stipend, mentorship, leadership programmes) ✅ Flexible working culture (Hybrid/Flexi-time options alongside enhanced national policy alignment) ✅ Diverse personalisation of benefits—tailor healthcare, financial advice, childcare, or energy accounts
Join a company that values diversity, belonging, and inclusive growth. AtkinsRéalis is Disability Confident-compliant—all applications meeting essential criteria will be considered for an interview.
About AtkinsRéalis
Our philosophy: Transforming infrastructure & energy for a better future.
- A global leader in engineering, design, and project management
- Focused on engineering, construction, nuclear, and capital projects across the built environment
- Drives innovation through technology, sustainability, and people–focused solutions
- A pledge to Diversity & Inclusion (D&I): We actively cultivate environments where every employee thrives.
Security Note: This role may require (UK Security Vetting) clearance. Issues will be explored post-offer, shaped by UKSV guidelines. No prior security clearance discussion is needed at the application stage.
Next Steps
Apply now, and find out why Our People aspire to engineer a brighter tomorrow. Join us together.
AtkinsRéalis (“Atkins“) is an SME for the purposes of the Small Business Act.
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