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Project Manager
Project Manager – Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Prison Project
Our team is seeking a Project Manager to join a major project in Leicester, delivering transformative works within a live prison environment over approximately three years.
This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Site Manager looking to transition into a Project Manager role, or a Project Manager from a medium-sized contractor aiming to join one of the top-tier construction firms.
About the Role
As Project Manager, you will take full ownership of delivering all aspects of the project within a highly regulated, live operational environment, ensuring safety, efficiency, and quality in every stage of the works.
The primary focus will be the mesh and render package—an extensive package requiring precise planning, stakeholder engagement, and coordinated execution. You will manage a multidisciplinary team, maintain strong relationships with clients, supply chain partners, and operational stakeholders, while navigating the challenges of working in a secure prison setting.
Responsibilities
- Lead the full delivery from mobilisation through to project completion, ensuring timely delivery within programme and budget constraints
- Oversee and coordinate planning, cost control, risk management, safety compliance, and quality assurance across the entire works
- Manage and coordinate relationships with subcontractors, supply chain partners, and multidisciplinary site teams
- Establish and maintain strong affiliations with MoJ client teams, prison stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to support smooth project flow
- Ensure works are carefully scheduled and executed safely within an operational environment with minimal disruption
- Report on project progress, metrics, and performance in alignment with stakeholder expectations
- Foster a proactive health, safety, and wellbeing culture across the site and project team
- Identify and resolve challenges proactively to mitigate risks and maintain project objectives
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Requirements
To be successful, you will need:
- Proven Project Management experience in construction or related sectors, with a focus on large-scale works
- Experience delivering projects in live operational, regulated, or secure environments (e.g., custodial, healthcare, transport, defence)
- Strong programme and delivery skills, including construction scheduling, cost management, and risk mitigation
- Established leadership and stakeholder management, particularly in multidisciplinary environments
- Proven ability to engage and manage subcontractors and project teams effectively
- Proactive problem-solving approach with an eye for mitigating challenges and driving outcomes
- Advantageous experience in MoJ custodial, healthcare, or defence environments
- Essential ability to obtain and maintain the BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) clearance
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Why Join Wates?
- Join a significant, long-term project with a three-year programme for substantial impact
- Work on a high-profile scheme within a unique and challenging secure environment
- Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team driving transformational change
- Access career development opportunities and progression across future high-visibility projects
- Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
Security Requirements
Due to the sensitive and secure nature of the project, you will be required to undergo and pass a BPSS security check before commencing work.
Our Commitments
Wates is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. Transferable skills are acknowledged, and applicants are assessed fairly on merit.
We work to be a Disability Confident Leader, offering interviews to candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, including applicants who are covered under the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments can be made if required—please email recruitment@wates.co.uk for more information.
Our no-barrier recruitment policy means we consider all applicants for the role, regardless of a criminal history. Some positions may require additional security checks due to the project or work environment.
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