Hays
Project Manager
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Rate: £470-£550 per day DOE
Payment: CIS or Ltd Company
Location: King's Cross, London
Start: August 2026 Duration: Until Summer 2027
A specialist fit-out and technical construction contractor is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery of a complex £12m laboratory fit-out project in King's Cross, London. This is a genuine lead role, offering the opportunity to take ownership of a highly technical conversion of an existing commercial building into a state-of-the-art laboratory and research facility for a private-sector client.
The project will involve the full CAT A strip-out and refurbishment of the existing building, followed by the CAT B fit-out and installation of specialist laboratory environments, cleanrooms, research spaces, highly serviced MEP infrastructure and associated technical installations.
The contractor has established itself as a leading name within the life sciences, laboratory and high-specification fit-out sectors, with the added benefit of having its own in-house M&E delivery capability. This allows projects to be delivered with greater control over programme, quality and technical coordination, particularly on schemes where building services are critical to successful operation.
The Opportunity
This position will suit an experienced Project Manager who enjoys technically challenging construction projects and wants to be involved from the early stages of delivery.
The successful candidate will become involved during pre-construction and mobilisation, helping to shape delivery strategy, programme sequencing, procurement and logistics before taking full responsibility for the construction phase as the lead Project Manager on site. You will act as the key figure responsible for coordinating all operational, technical and commercial elements of the project while managing the client relationship and ensuring successful delivery through to completion.
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The scheme includes:
- CAT A refurbishment of an existing commercial building
- CAT B fit-out of specialist laboratory facilities
- CAT 4 and CAT 5 laboratory environments
- Controlled cleanroom installations
- Specialist ventilation and air handling systems
- High-specification mechanical and electrical infrastructure
- Laboratory gases and technical installations
- Research and development spaces
- Highly serviced technical environments
- Commissioning, validation and handover of critical systems
With a significant MEP package forming part of the works, this role requires a Project Manager capable of managing complex building services coordination and interfacing multiple specialist contractors throughout delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the delivery of a £12m laboratory and cleanroom fit-out project
- Full responsibility for programme, quality, health & safety and client satisfaction
- Managing site delivery teams, subcontractors and specialist suppliers
- Working closely with the in-house M&E team to coordinate technical installations
- Driving procurement, sequencing and project logistics
- Leading project meetings with the client and consultant team
- Managing design coordination and technical workshops
- Monitoring project performance against programme and budget
- Overseeing commissioning, testing and validation activities
- Managing project risks and implementing mitigation strategies
- Driving the project through to successful completion and handover
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Candidate Requirements
The client would be interested in speaking with Project Managers from backgrounds including:
- Laboratory Construction
- Life Sciences
- Cleanroom Projects
- Pharmaceutical Facilities
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Technical Commercial Fit-Out
- Mission Critical Environments
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Proven experience delivering projects valued between £10m and £30m+
- Previous main contractor or specialist fit-out contractor experience
- Strong understanding of building services and technical project delivery
- Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships
- Excellent leadership and communication skills
- Experience delivering projects through pre-construction and live construction phases
- Strong programme management capability
- Commercial awareness and contractual understanding
- SMSTS, CSCS and First Aid
How to Apply
If you're interested in this Project Manager opportunity, please apply via the link or contact James Mitchell at the Southampton office for a confidential discussion.
Desired Skills and Experience
Project Manager Laboratory & Cleanroom Fit-Out
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