Project Manager

The Vacancy

Project Manager

Reporting to: Head of Projects
Location: Cambridge

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to oversee the successful delivery of engineering and facilities projects from feasibility through to completion. You will play a key role in planning, coordinating, monitoring, and controlling projects to ensure they are delivered on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.

This role requires strong leadership, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, stakeholders, and clients while operating in line with Wates FM processes and governance.

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Key Responsibilities

As Project Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Producing all project documentation from feasibility to completion in accordance with Wates FM processes and required formats
• Acting as a representative and support function within the Wates FM service
• Planning, monitoring, and controlling all aspects of assigned projects
• Coordinating project activities including setting deadlines, allocating responsibilities, and tracking progress
• Reporting project status, risks, and progress via regular status meetings and reports to the FM Board
• Maintaining and reviewing detailed project programmes, identifying resource requirements at an early stage
• Anticipating deviations from plans or schedules and proactively managing stakeholders
• Identifying business restrictions, drivers, and disruption factors
• Managing change control in collaboration with operational teams
• Identifying, analysing, and mitigating risks and issues, taking corrective action where required
• Defining acceptance criteria for deliverables and supporting stakeholder sign‑off
• Producing and maintaining accurate project documentation including schedules, reports, meeting minutes, and communication records
• Closing projects effectively, including end‑of‑project reporting, lessons learned, and sunset meetings
• Ensuring projects meet quality, compliance, and “fitness for purpose” standards

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Qualifications

Essential

• Project Management qualification (PRINCE2)
• IOSH membership or equivalent

Desirable

• CAFM and reporting systems experience
• City & Guilds (Electrical / Electronic Craft Studies or Electrical Installation) or equivalent
• 18th Edition IEE Registration or Electrical Apprenticeship within building maintenance
• NVQ Level 2–3 (or equivalent) in Electrical or Mechanical disciplines

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Experience

Essential

• Minimum of three years’ experience in a managerial Project Management role within a business‑critical environment
• Strong capability in planning, forecasting, and change management
• Proven experience producing clear project plans, reports, and risk management strategies
• Experience managing engineering projects end‑to‑end
• Ability to manage meetings effectively and maintain focus on objectives
• Experience working to strict timescales and document quality standards

Desirable

• Demonstratable experience within a critical business environment
• Practical knowledge of Microsoft Project and other Microsoft Office tools
• Experience operating and controlling business systems
• Knowledge of CAFM and reporting systems
• Experience supporting business transformation initiatives

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Personal Skills & Attributes

• Confident, professional communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
• Client‑focused with a commitment to delivering high‑quality service
• Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and results‑focused
• Strong problem‑solving and risk assessment abilities
• Calm and adaptable under pressure
• Reliable, flexible, and able to prioritise effectively

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Why Join Wates?

• Be part of a respected, industry‑leading facilities management provider
• Work on impactful projects within a structured and supportive environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant’s criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies.  Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

• Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
• Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
• Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer.  We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.