Principal Project Manager (Capital)

Principal Project Manager (Capital) – Band 8b

Main area: Estates, Facilities & Capital Development. The role is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, contract permanent, based at Southampton General Hospital. Salary: £66,582 – £77,368 per annum, pro‑rata if part‑time.

Job Overview

UHS Estates Ltd (UEL) is the design and construction arm of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. The Principal Project Manager (Capital) leads the planning, delivery and management of a portfolio of capital and infrastructure projects across the Trust, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality and safety standards.

Main Duties

• Identify and monitor risks to project delivery, and select appropriate procurement strategies to minimise unnecessary trust exposure.
• Manage the procurement process for design teams, including tendering, contract placing reports, and appointment recommendations.
• Lead design development from feasibility through to detailed design and specification, ensuring timely, cost‑effective, and compliant outcomes.
• Produce and publish budget statements, cost plans and analysis to control design costs and maintain a balanced cost framework.
• Coordinate closely with the Capital Accountant to monitor project costs against budgets and report any variances.
• Deputise for the UEL Head of Projects, chair meetings, and represent the Head at governance bodies and external engagements.
• Prepare and present robust options appraisals and recommendations for complex large‑scale capital projects to senior executive and external audiences.
• Maintain and update programme and project plans, and produce regular progress reports to steering groups, the Technical Integration Group (TIG) and Trust Executives.
• Interpret and apply Health and Safety Regulations, CDM, Building Regulations, and other statutory guidance to all projects.
• Lead staff and external consultant teams, including professional development and HR management.
• Engage with patient groups and stakeholders to ensure project suitability and ongoing communication.
• Interpret and manage construction contract law, including JCT and NEC, ensuring compliance with contract terms.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant Bachelor degree (Engineering, Surveying, Architecture or Project Management) or equivalent.
• Relevant Master’s degree or higher in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Recognised Project Management qualification to practitioner level (PRINCE2 or APM).
• Significant experience of staff line management, HR, leadership and career development.
• Extensive experience delivering large/complex construction projects from inception to completion following RIBA stage gates.
• Expertise in presenting complex technical information to executive boards and large audiences.
• Proficiency with project management tools (EG: Project Execution Plans, Gantt Charts, RACI charts, risk registers).
• Experience developing business cases, standard progress reports and financial viabilities.
• Deep knowledge of HTMs, HBNs, UK construction and healthcare regulations, and construction design management legislation.
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate.
• Experience managing external design, professional consultants and contractors.
• Professional membership (CIBSE, IHEEM, RICS, ICE or RIBA) or equivalent.
• Successful delivery of NHS acute trust construction projects.
• Staff management training and contribution to programme and project improvement methodologies.
• Detailed understanding of contract types such as JCT and NEC.
• Evidence of recent professional development and strategic planning skills.

Benefits

• NHS terms of service and annual leave.
• Access to an employee benefits platform offering discounts on groceries, high street shopping, holidays and more.

Southampton offers an excellent quality of life with a vibrant community, good transport links, close proximity to the New Forest National Park and a lower cost of living than London.

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