Hays
Project Manager

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Project Manager - MOD / MOJ Projects
Location: South Coast / Hampshire
Salary: Up to £90,000 + package
Sector: MOD / MOJ / Public Sector
Project Values: £10m+
An established South Coast main contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery of complex public sector projects across the region, with a particular focus on MOD, MOJ and secure-environment schemes. This is a strong opportunity for a Project Manager who enjoys taking ownership of challenging projects, managing site-based teams, and working closely with clients, consultants and supply chain partners to deliver high-quality schemes. The business delivers a mix of new build, refurbishment and upgrade projects across sectors including:
- MOD / defence
- MOJ / custodial environments
- Education
- Healthcare
- Public sector frameworks
- Civic and community buildings
- Live environment refurbishments
Projects are typically £10 million to £40 million and can involve sensitive working environments where planning, communication, health & safety and stakeholder management are all critical.
The Role
As Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading projects from early stages through to completion, ensuring they are delivered safely, on programme and to the required quality standards. You will oversee the wider project team, including site management, commercial, design, planning and building services support, while maintaining strong communication with the client and senior management team.
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Key responsibilities will include:
- Taking overall responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of projects
- Leading site teams and ensuring everyone is working to the agreed programme
- Managing subcontractors, consultants and supply chain partners
- Overseeing health & safety, quality, environmental standards and site compliance
- Driving progress on site and identifying any risks to programme or budget
- Working closely with commercial teams on cost control, forecasting and reporting
- Managing client relationships and providing regular project updates
- Supporting design coordination, buildability reviews and value engineering
- Ensuring works are properly planned, resourced and delivered to specification
- Producing clear internal and external reports on project progress
- Creating a positive, well-organised and professional site environment
The Candidate
The client is looking for someone with a strong main contracting background and a proven ability to lead projects as the No.1 on site.
You will ideally have experience in one or more of the following sectors:
- MOD / defence
- MOJ / prison / custodial
- Secure or live environments
- Healthcare
- Education
- Government / public sector frameworks
You will also need:
- Experience managing construction projects of around £10m+
- Previous experience as a Project Manager or Senior Site Manager stepping into a No.1 role
- Strong client-facing skills
- Good understanding of programme, quality, cost and risk management
- Confidence managing site teams and subcontractors
- A practical understanding of JCT / NEC contracts
- Strong communication and reporting skills
- The ability to work in secure environments and complete relevant clearance checks where required


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Previous MOD or MOJ experience would be a strong advantage, but candidates from healthcare, education or public sector framework backgrounds will also be considered if they have strong project leadership experience.
What's on Offer
- Salary up to £90,000
- Car allowance / company car
- Pension and benefits package
- Long-term regional pipeline of work
- Opportunity to work on secure, complex and meaningful public sector projects
- Supportive operational team
- Genuine progression within a growing South Coast contractor
If you'd like to talk this role through, please apply below or contact James Mitchell at the Southampton Hays office for a confidential conversation.
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