Senior Project Manager

Location: UEL Campuses (3 days on site minimum and will vary depending on project work stage)
Contract: 24 Month FTC, Full-time

Lead the transformation of UEL’s estate and make a lasting impact on our university community.

Are you an experienced Senior Project Manager with a track record in delivering large-scale capital projects? Do you have the expertise to drive complex redevelopment across an ambitious university estate? If so, the University of East London (UEL) wants to hear from you!

About the Role:

UEL is embarking on an exciting multi-million-pound Capital Programme to enhance and future-proof our campuses. As Senior Project Manager, you will be responsible for delivering some of our most complex and high-value projects, ensuring they are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards. This is an opportunity to lead transformational projects that will directly impact students, staff, and the wider community.

You will take end-to-end ownership of capital projects—typically £10m+—from strategic brief through design, procurement, construction, and handover. These schemes are delivered in live academic settings, requiring intelligent phasing, disruption management, and stakeholder coordination at every level. You’ll lead multidisciplinary project teams, manage external consultants and contractors, and ensure delivery to time, cost, quality, and safety standards

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Leading the delivery of major capital projects across the whole UEL estate, from feasibility to handover.
• Managing contractors, consultants, and project teams, ensuring the highest standards of construction and sustainability.
• Overseeing financial planning, risk management, and governance to keep projects on track.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to align developments with UEL’s strategic vision.
• Ensuring compliance with CDM, health & safety regulations, and sustainability targets.

What We’re Looking For:

This role is not suitable for candidates without significant capital redevelopment experience. To be successful, you must demonstrate:

• End-to-end delivery of major capital redevelopment projects valued £10m+
• Experience working within live, operational estates (e.g., universities, hospitals, public campuses)
• Strong working knowledge of JCT or NEC contracts, planning processes, and construction regulations
• A confident, credible communicator who can influence and manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• A construction background

• A track record of delivering projects worth £10m+, with expertise in budgeting and commercial oversight.
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, able to influence at all levels.
• Degree in Construction, Project Management, Engineering, or a related field (RICS, CIOB, APM membership desirable).

Why Join UEL?

1. Be part of a major university transformation – Play a pivotal role in reshaping UEL’s estate for future generations.
2. Progress your career – Work on large-scale, complex projects with development opportunities.
3. Enjoy a balance of on-campus and flexible working arrangements.
4. Competitive salary and benefits – Including generous holiday allowance, pension scheme, and more.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Equal Opportunities

UEL is an inclusive equal opportunities employer and are proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity achievements, including: zero gender pay gap, members of Stonewall and have won Athena Swan awards. We expect all employees of UEL to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the deadline if we receive many applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.