Senior Capital Projects Manager - Construction/Refurbishment

Job overview

As a key member of the Capital Programme Team, you will be responsible for managing and delivering a portfolio of capital projects from inception through to completion. You will lead the development of business cases, oversee project planning and delivery, and ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

Working within the Trust's Investment Programme, you will provide professional leadership and specialist expertise in the planning, procurement, design and implementation of estates projects, including new builds, refurbishments, building adaptations and conversion schemes.

You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, NHS guidance, building regulations, health and safety legislation, British Standards and Treasury Green Book business case requirements.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be an experienced senior capital projects professional with extensive knowledge of estates, construction and healthcare infrastructure project delivery. They will be responsible for leading and managing complex capital projects from feasibility through to completion, ensuring schemes are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards. The post holder will have significant experience in business case development, project governance, procurement, contract management, financial management and stakeholder engagement.

Candidates must demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior clinicians, managers, contractors, consultants and external agencies. They will be expected to manage multidisciplinary teams, oversee external consultants and contractors, provide professional advice on technical and financial matters, and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, health and safety requirements, NHS guidance, building regulations and technical standards.

The role requires expertise in project planning, design development, tendering, construction management, commissioning and handover, together with the ability to prepare complex reports, feasibility studies, business cases and funding submissions, will manage delegated capital budgets, monitor project performance, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure value for money is achieved across all projects.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role requires expertise in project planning, design development, tendering, construction management, commissioning and handover, together with the ability to prepare complex reports, feasibility studies, business cases and funding submissions. The post holder will manage delegated capital budgets, monitor project performance, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure value for money is achieved across all projects.

Applicants should be capable of working autonomously within delegated authority, managing competing priorities and complex stakeholder relationships, while maintaining high professional standards. Experience of leading change, delivering improvements to healthcare environments, managing staff, and supporting the development of project management teams is essential. A strong commitment to quality, governance, sustainability, innovation and continuous improvement within the healthcare estate is required, along with the ability to operate effectively in challenging operational and construction environments.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and experienced capital projects professional with substantial expertise in estates, construction, engineering and healthcare infrastructure project delivery. They will be responsible for leading the planning, development, procurement, delivery and commissioning of complex capital projects across the Trust, ensuring that schemes are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.

The post holder will possess extensive experience in managing projects throughout the full project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, option appraisals, business case development, design management, procurement, contract administration, construction delivery, commissioning and handover. They will be expected to independently manage a diverse portfolio of capital schemes ranging from refurbishment and estate modernisation projects to complex infrastructure developments, whilst ensuring compliance with Trust governance arrangements and financial procedures.

A thorough understanding of NHS capital project delivery, healthcare construction standards, Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs), Health Building Notes (HBNs), Building Regulations, CDM Regulations, Health and Safety legislation and other relevant statutory requirements is essential. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring all projects are developed and delivered in accordance with current legislation, best practice and technical standards, whilst maintaining full compliance with Trust policies and procedures.

The role requires exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills. The post holder will work closely with senior clinicians, nurses, operational managers, infection prevention teams, procurement specialists, user groups, contractors, consultants and external agencies to ensure projects meet operational requirements and contribute to the delivery of high-quality patient care. The ability to influence, negotiate and build strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all organisational levels is essential.

Candidates must have significant experience managing external consultants and contractors, including architects, quantity surveyors, structural engineers, building services engineers and specialist advisors. They will be responsible for procuring, commissioning and managing professional services, ensuring value for money, monitoring performance and achieving successful project outcomes. Experience of contract management, tender preparation, tender evaluation, contractor performance management and final account settlement is highly desirable.

Strong financial management skills are required, including responsibility for managing substantial delegated capital budgets, monitoring expenditure, forecasting project costs, approving payments and ensuring compliance with Standing Financial Instructions and procurement regulations. The successful candidate will be expected to identify opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings whilst maintaining quality, safety and service delivery standards.

The post holder will demonstrate the ability to develop robust and compelling business cases that support strategic investment decisions. This includes undertaking detailed feasibility studies, preparing option appraisals, developing cost estimates, identifying risks and benefits, supporting funding submissions and presenting complex information to senior managers, directors and programme boards. Excellent report writing, analytical and presentation skills are therefore essential.

The role requires significant project governance expertise, ensuring appropriate controls, risk management processes and reporting arrangements are established throughout each stage of project delivery. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining project documentation, monitoring programme performance, managing project risks and producing detailed progress reports relating to budget, programme, quality and benefits realisation.

A strong technical understanding of construction and engineering systems is essential. The post holder will be expected to review and interpret technical specifications, engineering designs, drawings, BIM information and construction proposals, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and compliance with healthcare requirements. Experience of delivering mechanical, electrical and building fabric projects is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining high standards of quality assurance across all projects, undertaking inspections, audits and compliance reviews to ensure works are completed in accordance with contract requirements and technical specifications. They will identify defects, implement corrective actions and ensure that commissioning, testing, validation and handover processes are completed effectively.

Experience of working within operational healthcare environments is particularly important. The post holder will frequently be required to coordinate works within occupied clinical and non-clinical areas, ensuring disruption to patient services is minimised whilst maintaining compliance with infection control, fire safety, health and safety and operational requirements. The ability to plan and deliver complex projects within live hospital environments is therefore essential.

The role also requires strong people management and leadership capabilities. The successful candidate will provide professional guidance and support to Project Managers, Project Assistants and other members of the Capital Team, ensuring clear objectives, performance management arrangements and development opportunities are in place. Experience of line management and staff development is desirable.

The post holder will contribute to the development of long-term estates and capital strategies, supporting the Trust's ambitions for service improvement, estate modernisation and sustainability. They will play a key role in identifying innovative solutions, improving technical standards and embedding best practice across the capital programme.

Excellent IT skills are required, including experience using Microsoft Office applications, project management software, reporting systems, electronic document management systems and technical design packages such as AutoCAD or similar. The ability to analyse data, prepare detailed reports and maintain accurate project records is essential.

The role involves frequent site inspections across a variety of construction and operational environments, including plant rooms, roofs, service voids, occupied wards and restricted access areas. Candidates must therefore be comfortable working in challenging environments and be committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.

Overall, we are seeking an experienced and commercially aware capital projects professional who can provide strategic leadership, technical expertise and operational delivery capability across a complex portfolio of healthcare capital projects. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving healthcare environments, delivering value for money and ensuring that projects support the Trust's clinical, operational and strategic objectives while providing safe, effective and sustainable facilities for patients, visitors and staff.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.