Senior Project Manager - Rail Infrastructure

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Division: Major Projects - Rail

Location: London

About Us

Ayesa Engineering is a global engineering consultancy with over 13,000 employees, where our UK & Ireland business combines international strength with the agility and autonomy of an SME.

With a presence in 40 countries, Ayesa Engineering has built a strong international reputation across a diverse range of engineering disciplines. Our expertise includes water and flood infrastructure, transportation, marine and coastal engineering, geoscience, environmental services, energy, and building structures.

Our UK & Ireland teams deliver technically challenging, varied projects that develop broad expertise without confining people to narrow roles — offering the opportunity to make a meaningful local impact while benefiting from the stability, knowledge, and career opportunities of a well-established global organisation.

Position:

What You'll Be Doing

As a Senior Project Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project. You will engage with the design teams, stakeholders, and clients to ensure a smooth delivery of the project on time, within budget, and all risks and dependencies identified and managed.

The Senior Project Manager will play a key role in the success of this project and will be embedded in the client office to provide rapid support to the client, whilst also managing the backroom teams. A strong understanding of major infrastructure project design processes and NEC contracts is essential for the success of this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the day-to-day delivery of the design work, ensuring full coordination between internal and external designers.
• Manage project scope, risks, programme, and costs ensuring complete alignment with the client and other designers.
• Lead discussions with internal and external stakeholders including direct interface.
• Chair regular programme review, progress meetings and risk identification workshops.
• Oversee the production and management of the programme and ensure accurate commercial cost plans.
• Proactively identify delivery challenges and drive mitigation strategies in collaboration with the delivery and engineering teams.
• Administer the contract in adherence to the requirements of NEC contracts, including production of Compensation Events (CEs) and General Communications (GCs)
• Manage the change control process, ensuring Early Warning Notices are raised and administered in accordance with industry standards.
• Undertake the role of line manager for junior project management staff.
• Provide oversight on reporting requirements, including internal dashboards, programme/commercial reports, and external submissions to the client.
• Coordinate the use of CDE tools (CEMAR, ProjectWise, Asite) for contract administration and document control.
• Ensure project risk and opportunities registers are actively maintained and communicated.
• Support project closure activities, including lessons learned workshops and final reporting.

Requirements:

✅ What You Bring

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or relevant industry recognised qualification in Project Management.
• Minimum ten years’ proven project management experience working in large scale civil/railway infrastructure projects.
• High-level knowledge of NEC contracts; recognised qualifications are highly advantageous.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership, organisational and reporting capabilities.
• Demonstratable experience in financial controls.
• Due to collocating working requirements, this role will require regular travel to client offices in London and Birmingham.
• Right to work in the UK (Pre-Settled/Settled Status, British Visa, or equivalent work permit)

Desirable

• MSc in Civil Engineering holding a professional qualification (e.g. Chartered or national equivalent)
• Experience working on HS2 or large-scale railway infrastructure projects in UK/ireland
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Fluent in Spanish.
• Understanding of Network Rail and other industry body processes.

Other information:

What’s in It for You

• Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary package to attract and retain top talent in the industry.
• Flexible Working: Enjoy flexible working hours and hybrid working, allowing you to achieve a better work-life balance.
• Employer Pension Match Scheme: We offer a pension match scheme to help you secure your financial future.
• Income Protection: Receive support in safeguarding your income in the event of illness or injury.
• Life Assurance: Gain peace of mind with life assurance coverage.
• Training and Development Programme: Access a range of training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Family & Well-Being Support: Benefit from our Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Benefits and our confidential support services to address personal or professional challenges, included in our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Sports and Social: Engage in our vibrant sports and social activities to foster a sense of community and well-being among our team members.
• Increased Annual Leave: 25 days’ annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, enjoy increased annual leave entitlements based on years of service.
• Recognition Awards: Receive recognition for your contributions through our awards program, celebrating achievements and excellence.

We’re Inclusive by Design

Ayesa Engineering is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background or neurodiversity. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation and stronger outcomes. We are committed to inclusive hiring practices, providing reasonable adjustments for applicants and employees with disabilities, and ensuring equal access to opportunities for learning, development, and progression across our organisation.