Graduate or Assistant Project Manager – Civil Engineering / Water

The Opportunity

We are looking to recruit a Graduate or Assistant Project Manager to join a well-established civil engineering contractor operating across the North East.

This is an excellent opportunity for either a Civil Engineering graduate or an HNC/HND-qualified engineer who wants to develop away from a purely technical or engineering-focused position and build a long-term career within project and construction management.

You will work alongside experienced Contracts Managers, Project Managers and site delivery teams, initially supporting the development, planning and delivery of civil engineering schemes within the water infrastructure sector.

The position would particularly suit someone who is technically capable, commercially aware and keen to develop a broader understanding of how civil engineering projects are taken from initial feasibility and design development through to construction and delivery.

The Company

Our client is a large, well-established regional civil engineering main contractor with a strong presence across the North East.

The business undertakes design-and-build civil engineering projects within both clean and wastewater infrastructure, working on schemes ranging from several hundred thousand pounds through to major multi-million-pound water and treatment infrastructure projects.

Their workload includes a mixture of:

• Clean water infrastructure
• Wastewater and sewerage projects
• Water and wastewater treatment schemes
• Drainage and network improvement works
• Surface water management and separation schemes
• Rehabilitation and improvement of existing infrastructure
• Associated civil engineering, earthworks, drainage and structural works

Projects are predominantly undertaken across the North East, providing the opportunity to develop your career with an established regional contractor without the expectation of continually working away nationally.

The Role

Working as part of an experienced project delivery team, you will initially provide support to senior operational staff while gradually taking on increasing levels of responsibility.

Your duties are likely to include:

• Assisting Contracts Managers and Project Managers with the development and delivery of water infrastructure projects
• Supporting feasibility and early-stage project assessments
• Reviewing drawings, drainage information, survey data, asset records and other technical information
• Attending sites to understand existing infrastructure, construction constraints and proposed works
• Assisting with the identification and evaluation of potential engineering solutions
• Supporting the development of surface water management, drainage diversion, attenuation and network improvement schemes
• Helping to coordinate information between site teams, designers, clients, subcontractors and other project stakeholders
• Preparing project information, technical notes, reports, drawings, mark-ups and presentations
• Assisting with project planning, programming and the coordination of works
• Maintaining accurate project records, meeting notes, actions and technical information
• Developing an understanding of project costs, commercial considerations and procurement
• Ensuring works are developed and delivered in accordance with appropriate health, safety and environmental standards
• Gradually taking greater responsibility for individual work packages and projects as your experience develops

The intention is not for you to remain in a graduate or assistant support position indefinitely. The company is looking for someone who can develop their knowledge and experience and progress towards becoming a Project Manager capable of taking responsibility for their own civil engineering projects.

About You

We are particularly interested in speaking with individuals who genuinely want to build their career within civil engineering construction and project management.

You may already be working for a civil engineering contractor, consultant, utility organisation or within another technical engineering environment. Alternatively, you may be approaching the end of your studies and looking for the right contractor with which to begin your career.

Previous experience within water or wastewater infrastructure would be beneficial but is not essential.

More important will be your attitude, technical aptitude and willingness to learn.

You should ideally demonstrate:

• A genuine interest in civil engineering and construction
• An ambition to progress into project management
• Good technical and numerical ability
• Strong organisational skills
• Clear written and verbal communication
• The confidence to communicate with site teams, clients, designers and other stakeholders
• A practical and proactive approach to solving problems
• Good attention to detail
• The ability to manage your workload and meet deadlines
• Reliability and good time management
• A willingness to take responsibility and learn from experienced colleagues
• A professional and approachable manner
• An open-minded approach and willingness to consider other people's technical and operational viewpoints

Qualifications

Applications are welcomed from candidates with either:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline
• A BTEC HNC/HND or similar vocational Civil Engineering qualification
• Previous experience within a civil engineering contractor, consultancy or water-related organisation would be advantageous, although applications from suitable graduates without significant industry experience will also be considered.
• A valid UK driving licence is required.

What the Company Can Offer

This is an opportunity to join a substantial regional civil engineering business with an established workload and a long-term presence within the North East.

You will work alongside experienced civil engineering and project management professionals and gain exposure to projects at very different stages of their lifecycle, from feasibility and design development through to construction and completion.

For someone who demonstrates the right attitude and ability, there is a genuine opportunity to develop progressively through the organisation into Project Management and ultimately more senior operational positions.

The role offers:

• Structured practical development within project management
• Exposure to significant clean and wastewater infrastructure projects
• Experience of design-and-build civil engineering
• Support from experienced Contracts Managers and Project Managers
• Increasing responsibility as your experience develops
• Long-term career progression within an established regional contractor
• A predominantly North East-based workload
• The opportunity to build both technical and commercial project management experience

Why Consider It?

For an ambitious Civil Engineering graduate or HNC/HND-qualified engineer, this represents an opportunity to move beyond a traditional engineering-only career path and develop into the broader management and delivery of civil engineering projects.

Rather than being limited to one particular aspect of engineering, you will gain exposure to design, construction methodology, planning, commercial considerations, client management, subcontractors and operational project delivery.

For someone ultimately looking to become a Project Manager within the civil engineering sector, it provides a strong platform from which to build that career.

Location

North East England

Apply / Confidentiality

All enquiries will be handled in the strictest confidence.

Your details will not be sent to any company without us first discussing the opportunity with you in more detail and gaining your permission to proceed. The name of the hiring company will also be confirmed during that conversation.

To apply, click “Apply for this Job” on this listing or email your CV to cv@fulcrumrecruit.com.

For an initial confidential chat, please call 07880 369 557.