University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Principal Project Manager (Capital)

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Job Overview
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join our team at UHS Estates Ltd (UEL). Please refer to the detailed job description below for more information about the role.
Main duties of the job
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Identify and schedule risks to project delivery and select an appropriate procurement strategy which will lead to a completed development that meets the objectives and minimises Trust exposure to unnecessary risk.
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Regularly review the procurement strategy during the early key stages of project development, well before the contract strategy has been decided and contracts have been let.
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Manage the process for selecting and appointing design teams, and ensure conditions of appointment are compatible with the procurement strategy; procure tenders, prepare the contract placing report (CPR), and make recommendations for appointment.
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Develop, manage, and coordinate the design development from feasibility and outline design to detailed design/specification; manage the design process so that it is completed on time, is appropriate, within budget and that all necessary decisions have been properly taken and fully and clearly expressed in specifications and on drawings; check, appraise and comment upon all information to ensure compliance with project objectives. Ensuring all key stakeholders are updated on all relevant aspects of the project.
Working for our organisation
UHS Estates Limited (UEL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). The company is responsible for the design and construction of new buildings, and the ongoing provision of services, including estates maintenance, soft facilities management and the management of equipment, consumables and materials, in support of one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England.
Employee Benefits
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- NHS terms of service and annual leave
- Access to an employee benefits platform offering discounts on groceries, high street shopping, family outings, holidays, and more
Southampton offers an excellent quality of life, located on the south coast with an international airport and direct train links to London. The area boasts the stunning New Forest National Park, beautiful beaches along the Jurassic Coast, and living costs around 20% lower than London. With 14 Ofsted-rated “Outstanding” schools, it’s a great place to live and work.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
- At key design sign-off stages, check design information in collaboration with design team, produce and publish budget statements, outline cost plans, cost checks and cost analysis statements to act as key control documents to ensure that as design develops the targets are checked and adjustments made to demonstrate that the project is managed within budget.
- Work closely with the Capital Accountant to monitor project and programme costs against the budgets and highlight any areas of concern. Maintain project cost planning and cost control procedures to ensure clear balanced cost framework within which to produce and deliver a successful design and to ensure that the agreed budget is the maximum limit of expenditure.
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Job Summary
- Plan and deliver from inception to completion a range of capital projects which are likely to be implemented across the whole Trust, to include complex capital, infrastructure, energy projects, alongside smaller charitably funded works
- Manage in-house staff and a network of Trust-appointed external professional consultants, suppliers, and contractors
- Use programme and project management expertise and management skills to deliver the UEL/UHS Capital Programme and to help develop the UEL Capital team and methodology
General Duties
- Deputise for the UEL Head of Projects as necessary (e.g., chair meetings, represent Head of Projects at Trust and external meetings and governance bodies.
- Responsible for presenting project information to large audiences, including UHS Trust Executives and external bodies, negotiating and influencing regarding the development and approval of new business cases.
- Responsible for ensuring all stakeholders are updated and engaged on the progress of capital works projects.
- Produce and present robust, reliable, and valid options appraisals and recommendations for complex and sensitive large-scale capital projects.
- Liaise with relevant patient groups regarding future and ongoing projects and the suitability of solutions.
- Produce and keep under continual review project business cases to assess financial and strategic viability and feasibility using business case analysis of the delivery plan, costs, quality assumption, scope, benefits, risk, and strategic priorities.
- Produce regular progress reports to steering group, TIG and Trust Executives as required.
- Act and interpret HTMs and HBNs together with statutory legislation and guidelines such as British Standards for all projects, analysing and translating guidance for non-technical audiences
- Create, maintain and update programme and project plans for all projects.
- Responsible for interpreting and acting in compliance with construction contract law, Health and Safety Legislation, including CDM, Building Regulations and other requirements on Estates Capital Strategic projects.


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Person specification
Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant Bachelor Degree (Engineering, Surveying, Architecture or Project Management) or equivalent knowledge and experience
- Relevant Master’s or higher (Engineering, Surveying, Architecture Project Management) or equivalent knowledge and experience
- Recognised Project Management qualification to practitioner level (PRINCE2 or APM).
- Significant experience of staff line management and development, including HR management, leadership and career development
- Detailed knowledge and significant experience of the management and successful delivery or large and/or complex construction projects from inception to completion following all RIBA stage gates.
- Significant experience of presenting complex and technical information to internal and external groups, including large groups and at an Executive Board level
- Project management skills including use of multiple methodologies e.g., Project Execution Plans, Gantt Charts, RACI Charts, Risk Register
- Extensive experience of creating business cases and reporting standard project progress reports
- Detail knowledge and experience of how to analyse complex technical information relating to design drawings and presenting final design solutions to a variety of audiences.
- Detailed knowledge of how to identify, source, assimilate and apply relevant HTMs and HBNs, and other statutory regulation
- Detail knowledge of UK Construction and Healthcare Regulations
- Detailed knowledge of Construction Design Management Regulations 2015 and other relevant Health and Safety Legislation
Desirable criteria
- NEBOSH Construction Certificate
- Experience of managing external design and professional consultants and contractors
- Member or a recognised professional Body (CIBSE, IHEEM, RICS, ICE or RIBA
- Experience of successfully delivering construction projects within a live NHS acute Trust setting.
- Staff management training courses
- Contributed to on the development and improvement of programme and project management and change methodologies, policies, practices and artefacts
- Detailed knowledge of Contracts such as JCT and NEC
- Evidence of recent further professional development
- Good knowledge of strategic tools and techniques along with awareness and ability develop and interpret strategies and strategic plans
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