Construction Project Manager

MERITUS are recruiting for a Construction & Facilities Project Manager to join a leading Defence Manufacturing organisation, delivering major infrastructure, construction, and facilities improvement projects across highly secure, regulated, and complex operational manufacturing environments.
CONSTRUCTION & FACILITIES PROJECT MANAGER - DEFENCE MANUFACTURING - STEVENAGE - HYBRID (3 DYAS PER WEEK ONSITE) - 12 MONTH CONTRACT - UP TO £50 PER HOUR (INSIDE IR35) - SC ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED

We're seeking an experienced Facilities Project Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of capital construction and infrastructure projects within a defence manufacturing environment. This client-side role covers projects from feasibility and design through to construction, commissioning, and handover, ensuring minimal disruption to critical live operations.

Working within a highly regulated defence manufacturing business, you will play a key role in delivering secure, compliant, and business-critical infrastructure supporting advanced engineering and production activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead construction, facilities, and infrastructure projects through the full lifecycle within a defence manufacturing environment.
Manage multi-disciplinary teams including internal stakeholders, consultants, and principal contractors.
Ensure delivery in line with governance frameworks, Project Delivery Processes, and strict compliance requirements.
Develop and control project plans, budgets, programmes, risk registers, and change control processes.
Manage construction contracts, variations, cost control, and contractor performance.
Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, Building Regulations, and site-specific defence requirements.
Translate operational and manufacturing needs into deliverable construction solutions.
Present project updates and business cases to senior stakeholders for approval.
Deliver projects safely, securely, on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.
Support commissioning, handover, and integration into live operational environments.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
Essential:

Experience in construction or facilities project management within defence, manufacturing, engineering, or regulated environments.
Strong understanding of RIBA Plan of Work and full project lifecycle delivery.
Proven ability to manage contractors, consultants, budgets, risks, and change control.
Knowledge of CDM Regulations, Building Regulations, and compliance in operational environments.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including senior-level engagement.
Ability to interpret technical requirements and deliver practical construction solutions.
Experience working in live operational or secure environments.
HNC/HND or equivalent in Construction, Engineering, or related discipline.Desirable:

Experience in defence, aerospace, or secure manufacturing environments.
Project management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent).
Membership of APM, CIOB, RICS, or similar professional body
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed