Project Manager (SZC)

Company: WJ UK
Apply for the Project Manager (SZC)
Location: Suffolk
Job Description:

Workplace type: On-site, Sizewell C, Suffolk

Job type: Full-time, Permanent

Job function: Project Management, Construction, Engineering

Industries: Construction, Civil Engineering, Water/Utilities, Nuclear

Salary range: £55,000 -£60,000 + company car + private healthcare scheme + gym + performance bonus

  • Company car: Company car (available for personal use) with a monthly rental value
  • Pension: Automatically enrolled into the WJ Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme. Contributions are made at 5% for both employee (minimum) and employer (maximum).
  • Private Healthcare: At six months of service, option to be enrolled into Westfield Health Cash Plan for Specialist Consultations & Diagnostics, Scanning Service (MRI, CT & PET Scans), Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments (Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy and Osteopathy)
  • Profit Related Bonus: A profit related annual bonus will be payable in December if WJ meets its profit targets
  • Group Life Insurance: Automatically included in the WJ Death in Service Group Insurance at 3 times salary after 6-month probation period
  • Gym Membership: Exclusive, discounted access to thousands of gyms, pools and spas with just one pass via our fitness partner, Hussle

About the role

WJ is looking for a Project Manager to join the team delivering our largest and most strategically important account: Sizewell C (SZC), the UK’s flagship nuclear new-build project. Reporting to the SZC Project Lead, you will take ownership of assigned work packages across our portfolio of dewatering, water treatment, surface water management, water abstraction, pumping tests, water sampling & testing, and instrumentation & monitoring (I&M) works. You’ll be WJ’s representative on site, building strong relationships with SZC Ltd, the Civil Works Alliance (CWA) and their subcontractors, while leading WJ site teams to deliver safely, on programme and to budget.

What you’ll do

  • Champion a proactive Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) culture and SZC nuclear safety culture, leading from the front on site.
  • Supervise day-to-day site operations, maintaining strong communication with SZC Ltd, CWA staff, subcontractors and suppliers.
  • Prepare Method Statements, Risk Assessments and technical drawings, and define package programmes against contractual milestones.
  • Prepare and negotiate monthly payment applications, and support contract administration under NEC forms.
  • Appoint, brief and provide direct line management to WJ site and monitoring teams and specialist subcontractors.
  • Maintain accurate contractual records and reporting, supporting the SZC Project Lead’s account governance.

Why join WJ?

This is your chance to build your career on one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects, working alongside a supportive, experienced delivery team on WJ’s flagship account. You’ll gain exposure to nuclear-grade delivery standards, a broad multi-disciplinary portfolio, and a clear path to grow into senior project leadership roles. In return, WJ offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits and genuine investment in your professional development.

About WJ

WJ is the UK’s leading water management specialist – the partner and contractor of choice for major construction and infrastructure programmes. Founded by academics and evolved through expertise, we apply scientific principles to solve complex water challenges: over 40 years’ experience and 4,000+ projects worldwide, including the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the London Olympic Park, Crossrail, Tideway, HS2 and currently Sizewell C. Our expanding service lines span dewatering & groundwater control, water treatment, surface water management, I&M, pumping tests, well drilling and professional services, grounded in engineering and delivered in partnership. Our values of Confidence, Pride, Clarity & Integrity, and Independence guide every decision we make.

Reports to

SZC Project Lead (Line Manager).

Key areas of responsibility

As a Project Manager on the Sizewell C project, you will be responsible for the delivery of assigned WJ work packages. Your duties will include, but are not limited to:

Operational Leadership & Safety

  • Champion a proactive Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) culture and SZC nuclear safety culture, leading from the front and promoting safe working practices across all operational levels.
  • Brief, audit and support site teams to ensure full compliance with SZC site rules, CDM duties, SHE standards and effective operational procedures.
  • Ensure all activities are executed in accordance with WJ’s contractual obligations and directives from the SZC Project Lead.

Site Supervision & Client Engagement

  • Supervise day-to-day site operations, maintaining strong communication with SZC Ltd and CWA site staff, supervisory teams, subcontractors and suppliers.
  • Build and sustain collaborative relationships to ensure smooth project delivery and client satisfaction, protecting WJ’s reputation on site as the basis for repeat work.

Project Documentation & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of WJ’s contractual activities, including monitoring data, site documentation and project logs.
  • Ensure quality records, inspection & test plans and handover documentation meet nuclear-grade expectations and SZC/CWA governance and assurance processes.
  • Draft and disseminate regular progress reports; actively participate in internal and external project meetings and support the SZC Project Lead’s account reporting.

Technical Preparation & Delivery

  • Prepare Method Statements, Risk Assessments, technical drawings and work procedures to support safe and efficient execution.
  • Ensure design deliverables, including temporary works designs, are properly planned, checked, approved and implemented in accordance with WJ and SZC design management procedures.
  • Define package programmes and ensure delivery against contractual milestones and performance targets, providing early warning of risks and supporting recovery planning where required.

Commercial & Financial Oversight

  • Prepare, issue and negotiate monthly payment applications in line with package progress and contractual terms.
  • Support the Managing Quantity Surveyor and project QS in contract administration under NEC forms, including early warnings, compensation events, programme submissions and change control.
  • Support business development and pipeline conversion through site visits, client engagement and assistance with tenders and quotations for new SZC scopes.

Team Management & Coordination

  • Appoint, brief and coordinate WJ site teams and specialist subcontractors to ensure cohesive and effective package execution.
  • Provide direct line management to WJ site and monitoring staff, fostering a high-performance culture.
  • Plan and secure resources (people, plant, equipment, materials) with the SZC Project Lead and service line leads to meet programme demands.

Integrated Management System (IMS) Responsibilities

  • Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of WJ’s Integrated Management System, supporting continued certification to ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001.
  • Administer IMS procedures and ensure that objectives and targets are consistently met.
  • Liaise with company auditors and ensure timely execution of corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with UK business units – including Accounts, HR, SHE, Design/Technical, Sales/Marketing, Drilling, Monitoring and Environmental Services – to build strong internal relationships and support broader financial and operational objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

  • Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology).
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in project/site management within construction or similar.
  • Strong technical understanding of Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology or Civil Engineering, with extensive experience supervising geotechnical works, including application of the observational method.
  • Confident in client-facing roles and stakeholder engagement, with excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and a high standard of written English.
  • Proven leadership in managing site teams and subcontractors; organised, reliable and able to manage workloads under pressure on complex sites.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, skilled in interpreting technical data and regulatory requirements.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant digital tools.
  • Eligibility to obtain and maintain security clearance for the SZC site (e.g. BPSS).
  • Valid CSCS card, SMSTS certification and full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

  • Experience on major infrastructure programmes (e.g. nuclear new-build, Hinkley Point C, HS2, Thames Tideway or similar) and familiarity with nuclear safety culture.
  • Experience of works delivered under NEC3/4 contract forms.
  • Experience of temporary works management and design management processes.
  • Chartered or working towards chartership with a relevant institution (e.g. ICE, APM, CIOB).

Working Conditions

Site-based at/near the Sizewell C project, Suffolk, with periodic travel to WJ’s UK Head Office (Kings Langley) and other WJ facilities and project sites.

The role involves regular presence on a live nuclear new-build construction site – including active construction zones, excavations, tunnels, adits and shafts – requiring strict compliance with Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) regulations and SZC site rules at all times. Out-of-hours working may be required to support operational demands.

General Expectations

  • Uphold WJ’s values and commitment to safety, quality and environmental performance, and champion nuclear safety culture.
  • Promote continuous improvement and collaborative working across WJ, SZC Ltd, the CWA and their supply chains.
  • Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role’s level of responsibility and competence.

Posted: August 1st, 2026