Project Manager

The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Ground Investigation Project Manager to join one of the UK's leading geotechnical and geo-environmental site investigation businesses.
This is a senior project delivery position for a ground engineering professional with a minimum of seven years' UK ground investigation experience who is ready to take ownership of complex projects from initial planning and mobilisation through to reporting, commercial close and client handover.
You will manage multiple ground investigation contracts across the UK, coordinating technical teams, drilling resources, subcontractors and laboratory programmes while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, programme and commercial performance.

The position offers genuine responsibility, direct client exposure and the opportunity to develop within a knowledgeable national engineering team.

About the Company
The business is an award-winning, multidisciplinary geotechnical and geo-environmental site investigation specialist with more than 60 years' industry experience.
With a network of regional offices and an extensive range of specialist investigation equipment, the company has the capability to deliver contracts of varying size, complexity and technical scope throughout the UK and internationally.
Its multidisciplinary technical teams include geologists, engineering geologists, civil engineers, geo-environmental specialists and environmental scientists. Together, they provide technical, logistical and contractual support across infrastructure, energy, residential, commercial and public-sector projects.

The business forms part of a leading international environmental, engineering and technical services group, providing employees with access to wider expertise, long-term career opportunities and a supportive, people-focused culture.

The Role
As Project Manager, you will take responsibility for the successful planning, coordination and delivery of ground investigation projects.
You will manage projects from contract award through to completion, ensuring that investigation works are delivered safely, efficiently, within budget and in accordance with the agreed technical specification.
Working closely with clients, engineers, drilling teams, laboratories, subcontractors and internal commercial teams, you will act as the principal point of contact throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Delivery

• Manage ground investigation projects from contract award through to completion
• Review project specifications, scopes of work, programmes and commercial requirements
• Prepare project plans, programmes, mobilisation information and site documentation
• Coordinate staff, drilling rigs, plant, equipment, subcontractors and laboratory resources
• Ensure appropriate personnel, technical capabilities and investigation methods are allocated to each project
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously across different locations
• Monitor progress against agreed milestones and take action to resolve delays or delivery issues
• Ensure factual reports, technical outputs and final deliverables are completed to programme

Ground Investigation Management

• Plan and oversee intrusive ground investigation works
• Coordinate techniques including rotary drilling, cable percussion, window sampling, sonic drilling, trial pits and geophysical surveys
• Provide technical oversight of site operations, logging, sampling and monitoring programmes
• Review soil and rock logs to ensure compliance with current geotechnical standards
• Develop and manage laboratory testing schedules
• Review field and laboratory data and coordinate information required for reporting
• Ensure investigation works comply with project specifications, relevant standards and client expectations

Commercial and Contract Management

• Manage project budgets, expenditure, forecasting and profitability
• Monitor project costs and resource utilisation throughout delivery
• Identify changes in scope, variations and additional work opportunities
• Prepare and submit project measures, applications for payment and invoices
• Maintain clear commercial records and support account reconciliation
• Manage subcontractor costs, purchase orders and project expenditure
• Ensure projects are delivered within agreed commercial parameters
• Contribute to tender reviews, fee proposals and future project opportunities

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Act as the main point of contact for clients throughout project delivery
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors and project stakeholders
• Attend pre-start, progress, technical and commercial meetings
• Provide regular project updates and communicate risks, changes and programme matters clearly
• Work collaboratively with designers, consultants, laboratories and specialist subcontractors
• Respond proactively to client queries and maintain high standards of service
• Support repeat business through reliable project delivery and positive client relationships

Health, Safety, Environment and Quality

• Promote a strong health, safety, environmental and quality culture across all projects
• Ensure appropriate RAMS, Construction Phase Plans and environmental documentation are in place
• Confirm that site personnel are competent, appropriately trained and properly briefed
• Undertake project audits and site inspections where required
• Monitor compliance with company procedures, project requirements and relevant legislation
• Support incident and near-miss investigations
• Identify and manage operational, environmental and technical risks
• Encourage continuous improvement in safety, quality and project delivery

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, support and coordinate engineers, geologists, site supervisors and field teams
• Provide clear project briefings, technical guidance and ongoing support
• Mentor less experienced team members and contribute to their professional development
• Review technical work and provide constructive feedback
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across project teams
• Support resource planning and identify future staffing requirements
• Contribute to the continued development of technical and project management standards

About You
We are looking for an experienced Ground Investigation Project Manager with a strong understanding of UK site investigation delivery.
You will be confident managing the technical, commercial and operational aspects of multiple projects and comfortable working directly with clients, field teams, laboratories and subcontractors.
Strong leadership, organisation and communication skills will be essential, together with the ability to make sound decisions and maintain control of project cost, programme, quality and safety.
Essential Requirements

• Minimum seven years' relevant UK ground investigation experience
• Previous experience managing ground investigation projects
• Degree in Geology, Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Earth Science or a related discipline
• Strong knowledge of UK ground investigation methods and site practices
• Understanding of rotary, cable percussion, sonic, window sampling and trial-pitting techniques
• Experience planning projects and coordinating personnel, plant, subcontractors and laboratories
• Strong understanding of soil and rock logging to current geotechnical standards
• Experience managing project budgets, programmes, variations and commercial performance
• Knowledge of laboratory testing, factual reporting and ground investigation deliverables
• Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental and quality requirements
• Excellent client-facing, written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities
• Full UK driving licence
• Willingness to travel to project sites when required

Desirable Experience

• Experience managing complex, multidisciplinary or high-value ground investigation contracts
• Knowledge of NEC or similar forms of contract
• Experience preparing tenders, cost estimates and fee proposals
• SMSTS or SSSTS qualification
• CSCS Management or relevant professional card
• Temporary Works or Principal Contractor experience
• Rail, utilities, infrastructure or energy-sector project experience
• Experience mentoring engineers, geologists and site supervisors
• Chartered status or working towards a relevant professional qualification
• Previous involvement in business development and client account management

Benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• Company car or car allowance, subject to package
• 31 days' annual leave including bank holidays, rising to 36 days with extended service
• Company pension scheme
• Life insurance
• Free private GP service
• Flexible benefits programme
• Option to purchase additional annual leave
• Health cash plan
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Paid volunteering time
• Health and wellbeing programme
• Payment of relevant professional membership fees
• Structured mentoring and support towards Chartership
• Long-term career opportunities within a national and international engineering group

Why Apply?

• Join one of the UK's leading ground investigation businesses
• Take ownership of technically varied and commercially important projects
• Manage projects from planning and mobilisation through to reporting and financial close
• Work alongside experienced geologists, engineers and ground investigation specialists
• Develop your client, commercial and leadership experience
• Benefit from professional development and Chartership support
• Access long-term progression opportunities across a wider international group

Inclusion & Diversity
We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and flexible workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.