Project Manager – HS2 Washwood Heath Depot
Location: Birmingham / Washwood Heath (Hybrid – 3 days)Salary: £70,000 – £77,474 + 12% Pension + Healthcare + 25 daysProgression: Senior Project Manager (£85k–£92.5k + package)Project: Washwood Heath Train Care Depot £800m–£1bn | 8-year programme
One of the Most High-Impact PM Roles in UK Infrastructure Right Now
I’ll be direct, opportunities like this don’t come up often.
This is a chance to join High Speed Two Ltd at the early stages of delivering the Washwood Heath Train Care Depot, a flagship part of HS2 and on the Critical Path for the organisation, Valued c£800m – £1bn, NEC3 Option C.
You won’t just be managing a package, you’ll be owning a major section of a nationally significant project, from design through to delivery, coupled with excellent opportunities for progression to Senior Project Manager.
8-year programme made up of 2 years of design development, site mobilisation, construction then testing and commissioning.
Why This Role Stands Out
This is the kind of role that accelerates careers and builds credibility fast:
- Client-side leadership role, not buried within a contractor structure – with real autonomy chance to make a difference.
- Early-stage involvement → genuine influence over design, strategy, and delivery
- Major Tier 1 contractor interface (appointment imminent)
- Complex, multi-disciplinary scope: civils, structures, buildings, M&E, rail systems (not just managing a small package of works).
- Clear progression to Senior PM (£85-92k + pkg)
- Long-term programme stability (8+ years remaining)
The Project
The Washwood Heath Depot will be one of the most complex rail facilities delivered in the UK in decades includes – Train Maintenance Building, Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC), Cleaners’ and Drivers’ Facilities, Stabling Yard, Office Accommodation and Staff Welfare Facilities.
Key scope includes:
- Heavy civils (roads, drainage, externals, piling, underpasses)
- Major buildings (train care depot, plant rooms, operational facilities)
- Integration with rail systems and wider HS2 infrastructure
You’ll be right at the centre of managing interfaces, risk, and delivery across multiple workstreams.
The Role
Reporting to a Senior Project Manager, you’ll take ownership of a large civils & build package, managing the Tier 1 contractor through design and into construction, with interfaces with multiple disciplines (rail systems) and stakeholders – train manufacturer, shadow Operator, DFT etc
You’ll be responsible for ensuring delivery is: Safe | On time | On budget | Fully integrated with the other packages of work including rail systems,
This is a hands-on client-side delivery role, not just oversight.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead contractor management across design and delivery phases
- Drive programme, cost, and risk performance
- Own risk management processes (including maintaining risk registers)
- Monitor and challenge contractor schedules and forecasts
- Manage change control (scope, cost, and programme impacts)
- Navigate a complex stakeholder environment across multiple interfaces
- Oversee design progress and production deliverables
- Produce clear, concise reporting on performance and key risks
- Ensure integration with wider HS2 programme and adjacent packages
What They’re Looking For
- Proven Project Manager experience within complex infrastructure, civils, or major build projects – rail, depots, stations, airports, highways, complex buildings etc
- Strong working knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts (ideally having operated as appointed PM under a NEC contract)
- Experience managing Tier 1 contractors (client-side or consultant background preferred) – would consider Tier 1 main contractor for the right individual.
- Track record delivering complex, multi-disciplinary projects with multiple interfaces.
- Strong commercial awareness (change control, cost impact, contract management)
- Experience across design and/or delivery phases – though must have some delivery experience.
- Background in sectors such as rail, highways, airports, major buildings, or similar complex environments
Why Join?
- Work on a career-defining, nationally significant project
- Gain true client-side delivery experience at scale
- Be part of a long-term, high-value programme with real progression opportunities
- Influence delivery from an early stage — not just inherit problems later
- If you’re a Project Manager who wants to step into a high-impact, client-side role on one of the UK’s most important infrastructure programmes, this is exactly the kind of move that sets you apart long-term.