rail project manager

About the Role

A leading Rail Contractor is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join their Wales and West Portfolio based out of Chippenham.

Operating on an Outside IR35 basis, you will take ownership of key work packages and projects across a commercially and technically challenging rail landscape.

This role requires a strong, proactive leader responsible for managing work package delivery in accordance with formal Business Management Systems, maintaining safety standards, and driving maximum margin across full project lifecycles.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Delivery: Lead the safe delivery of allocated work packages and projects to contract specifications, meeting agreed timescales and budget objectives.
• Safety Leadership: Act as a recognized Safety Leader across projects, ensuring full compliance with local Health and Safety statutory obligations.
• Stakeholder & Team Management: Develop collaborative relationships with internal multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, clients, and end-users. Interface with resource managers to define and support work packages.
• Progress & Performance Monitoring: Track work package progress against baseline programs using Earned Value analysis, financial controls, and project-specific KPIs.
• Risk & Issue Management: Proactively identify, analyze, and mitigate technical, financial, and operational risks before impact occurs.
• Change Control: Implement strict Change Management processes, ensuring scope, program, and budget variations are approved and baselined.
• Continuous Improvement: Sponsor initiatives to optimize delivery methods, execution strategies, and operational efficiencies.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• Qualifications: Degree/HND qualified in Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline, with extensive business and project management experience.
• Rail Experience: Proven track record delivering high-value, technically challenging capital investment projects through the full lifecycle within the UK rail sector.
• Team Leadership: Experience managing and integrating multidisciplinary project teams and leading functions outside of direct management lines.
• Project Controls: Strong expertise in managing Project Control functions, including planning, estimating, detailed financial analysis, and commercial management.
• Commercial Awareness: Ability to manage project compliance against contractual terms and conditions while maintaining margin in a competitive client environment.