Project Manager

The Vacancy

Project Manager

Location: Leeds
Reports To: Head of Projects

About the Opportunity

We are looking for a proactive and experienced Project Manager to support the delivery of key projects for one of our major clients in Leeds.

In this role, you will lead projects from initial feasibility right through to final handover, ensuring all activities are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to our quality and compliance standards. You will be at the heart of planning, coordination, communication, and governance—working closely with operational leaders, technical specialists, and client stakeholders.

We are seeking someone with excellent organisational skills, a strong grasp of risk and change management, and the confidence to drive projects forward in a business‑critical environment.

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Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage all project documentation, from initial scopes to completion records.
• Produce and maintain detailed project programmes, timelines, and resource schedules.
• Lead progress reporting, chair status meetings, and keep senior stakeholders informed.
• Identify risks, issues, and potential delays, implementing mitigation strategies early.
• Coordinate with operational teams on change management activities and business impacts.
• Ensure all project deliverables meet agreed quality, compliance, and acceptance standards.
• Support decision‑making by providing clear, structured reports, documentation, and forecasts.
• Manage project close‑out activities, including lessons‑learned reviews and final reporting.
• Use appropriate project management tools such as Gantt charts, spreadsheets, and system‑based workflows.
• Maintain clear, professional communication with clients, colleagues, and suppliers.

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Essential Qualifications

• Project Management qualification (Prince2).
• IOSH membership or equivalent safety qualification.

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Desirable Qualifications

• Experience using CAFM platforms and reporting systems.
• Relevant technical training such as:
  • City & Guilds in Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical disciplines
  • NVQ Level 2–3 (Electrical/Mechanical)
  • 18th Edition Electrical qualification
• Engineering or technical apprenticeship background.

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Essential Experience

• Experience in a management‑level project role within a business‑critical environment.
• Strong capability in planning, forecasting, and coordinating complex project activity.
• Proven experience in risk management and producing clear, structured project documentation.
• Experience leading engineering‑related or technical projects.
• Ability to deliver to strict deadlines while maintaining high documentation standards.
• Confident chairing meetings and keeping discussions on track.

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Desirable Experience

• Experience in a critical or high‑stakes operational environment.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Project and wider Microsoft Office tools.
• Experience managing business systems and reporting processes.
• Exposure to transformation or change‑led programmes.
• CAFM/reporting system experience.

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Skills & Personal Attributes

• Strong communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.
• Client‑focused with a professional and confident manner.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Adaptable, calm under pressure, and solutions‑driven.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Reliable, results‑oriented, and committed to high standards.

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.