Project Manager - Education

Position: Project Manager - Higher Education
Job :

Location:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom | Warrington, Cheshire, United Kingdom Department:
Project & Program Management Business Unit: AUK UKWork Type:
On-site

Date Posted:
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description

We’re looking for an experienced Project Manager with previous experience in delivering projects within Higher Education, laboratories, or museums across the UK.You will oversee complex building and refurbishment projects, liaising with on‑site contractors and multidisciplinary teams. This role needs hands‑on construction understanding, specialist some technical knowledge (labs and museums), and the capability to handle the varied complexities of occupied educational and cultural environments.

Role accountabilities

Manage construction delivery on Higher Education, laboratory, and museum projects, coordinating multiple trades and subcontractors on live, occupied sites

Oversee scopes of work, contractor engagement, site supervision, and quality control to ensure compliance with technical specifications and safety standards

Lead site coordination meetings, manage programme schedules, and track budgets ensuring projects stay on time and within financial targets

Work closely with estates teams, academic staff, curators, and other stakeholders to handle the challenges of operating in sensitive and complex environments

Understand and resolve typical construction challenges including access restrictions, phasing, noise control, and protection of specialist equipment or collections

Identify and manage risks or issues early, escalating where necessary to senior management to maintain project momentum and compliance

Monitor and analyse site progress and resource allocation to anticipate delays or cost impacts and adjust plans accordingly

Advise on construction best practices and continuous improvement opportunities based on experience with similar sectors and environments

Qualifications & Experience Proven hands-on experience managing construction or refurbishment projects within Higher Education, laboratories, or museums

Strong understanding of working with multiple trades and contractors on live sites with complex access and operational constraints

Experience dealing with specialist environments such as labs (including fume cupboards, gas, containment) or museum spaces (environmental controls, collections protection) is highly desirable

Familiarity with construction health and safety requirements (CDM regulations, risk management, permits)
Confident communicator with ability to engage effectively with tradespeople, contractors, clients, and internal teams

Commercially aware with strong time and cost management skills, able to handle the complexities of multi‑stakeholder projects

Project management qualification (MAPM or equivalent) is preferred; construction-related qualifications (CIOB, RICS, HNC/HND) also welcomed

If you have construction knowledge and experience successfully managing the complexities of Higher Education, laboratory, or museum projects, working closely with tradespeople to deliver high-quality outcomes, we want to hear from you.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career…