Project Manager
Make your mark with Colas Rail UK
At Colas Rail, differences matter. Join a team where being your authentic self is respected, encouraged, and vital to our success. At Colas Rail you'll be at home. You'll be welcomed into an inclusive team where there's a role for every talent - and a close-knit, familial culture. You will also get the opportunity to help us transform transportation, set new standards, and dare to be different.
This is true because...
- We value everyone as part of the same team.
- We treat everyone as equals - and everyone is approachable, from the CEO down.
- We put you in control of your career to lead and grow in any way you want.
- We have a culture of care, from safe working environments to diversity and inclusion.
- We're renowned for innovation, adopting new ideas, and daring to be different.
- We are building a more sustainable future and our projects impact infrastructure for generations.
About Us
Step into the world of Colas Rail, where a century of expertise merges with a daring spirit to shape the future of rail infrastructure.
At Colas Rail, we deliver transport solutions for sustainable mobility. We are a leading rail infrastructure business with on track plant and freight capabilities. As a subsidiary of the Colas Group, we are part of over a hundred years' experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of trains run on tracks built, designed, or maintained by Colas Rail.
Leading by our values
Our Care, Share and Dare values are at the heart of everything we do. These values feed into our main strategies and accompany us daily in realising our ambitions.
We care for our employees' well-being and safety, fostering a culture of inclusivity and support.
We share a passion for excellence, celebrating achievements and nurturing talent.
We dare to push boundaries, embracing challenges and driving innovation in every endeavour.
Even if you don't meet every requirement, please don't rule yourself out, we still encourage you to apply if your skills, values, and experience align to the role.
Purpose of the Role
The Project Manager for the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) V360 on the High-Speed 2 (HS2) project is responsible for the overall coordination, management, and delivery of the OCS works. This includes leading project planning, monitoring progress, managing risks, and ensuring that delivery meets the required schedule, budget, quality, and safety standards. The role demands strong leadership and experience in railway electrification, working collaboratively with engineering, construction teams, contractors, and key stakeholders to ensure efficient execution and alignment with project objectives.
Person Specification
- Degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
- Proven experience delivering large-scale rail, infrastructure, or engineering projects.
- Strong knowledge of overhead catenary systems (OCS), project governance, and risk management.
- Proficiency in project management software and reporting tools.
- Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
Key Responsibilities
Project Planning & Delivery
- Develop and execute detailed project plans in coordination with the Programme Manager.
- Ensure ≥90% of project milestones are delivered on or ahead of schedule.
- Maintain overall budget performance within ≤5% variance from approved forecasts.
Risk & Issue Management
- Proactively identify, analyse, and mitigate project risks, achieving mitigation on ≥85% of identified risks before they affect delivery.
- Maintain a live, continuously updated risk register with documented reviews and actions
Change Management & Quality Control
- Administer the project’s change control processes, ensuring ≥95% of change requests are evaluated and processed within agreed SLAs.
- Ensure compliance with HS2 quality assurance standards, targeting ≤2 NCRs per quarter.
- Participate in internal audits, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous quality improvements throughout the project lifecycle.
Stakeholder Management & Reporting
- Deliver timely, accurate, and concise progress reports to the Programme Manager, senior leadership, and regulatory authorities.
- Achieve ≥80% stakeholder satisfaction, measured through feedback surveys and engagement reviews.
Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
- Ensure all project activities meet HS2 and UK rail safety regulations and comply with site-specific safety plans.
- Maintain a Recordable Incident Frequency Rate (RIFR) ≤1.5.
- Embed sustainability and environmental requirements into project planning and delivery, ensuring alignment with HS2 environmental commitments.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to HS2 governance frameworks, contractual obligations, and statutory requirements.
- Implement and manage project controls and compliance frameworks to ensure transparency, traceability, and accountability.
Interface & Integration Management
- Manage technical and delivery interfaces with adjacent disciplines (civils, track, power supply, signalling) to avoid clashes and ensure seamless integration.
- Coordinate design-to-construction handovers, ensuring dependencies and prerequisites are fully met.
- Track interface deliverables and ensure ≥90% are completed by required need dates.
Contract & Commercial Management
- Support commercial teams in monitoring contract performance, early warnings, compensation events, and cost control.
- Ensure accurate reporting of forecasts, accruals, and expenditure, aligning with commercial and programme strategies.
- Participate in procurement activities, supplier assessments, and ongoing performance management.
Design Management Oversight
- Monitor design progress and ensure design deliverables meet safety, quality, assurance, and constructability requirements.
- Ensure ≥95% on-time approval of design packages to avoid programme delays
Digital Engineering & Document Control
- Ensure timely and accurate updates to project documentation within HS2’s Common Data Environment (e.g., eB, ProjectWise).
- Maintain configuration control across all technical, programme, and commercial documents.
- Promote the use of digital tools (BIM, 4D planning, dashboards) to enhance reporting accuracy and programme visibility
- As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.
- Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time
what We Offer
• Competitive Salary
• 26 days Annual Leave
• Industry leading Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Long Service Award
• Season Ticket Loan
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we actively seek to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Regardless of background, disability, age, race, religion, or gender, everyone is welcome at Colas Rail.
We strive to promote equity and eliminate discrimination, actively seeking to create a workforce reflective of communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, offering flexible and inclusive adjustments to the interview process.
We are proudly part of the Disability Confidence Scheme, and as such we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme if you meet the minimum requirements.
Join us in making a positive impact! Apply and be part of a team that values diversity and embraces unique perspectives.
Screen readers cannot read the following searchable map.
Follow this link to reach our Job Search page to search for available jobs in a more accessible format.
