Mechanical Project Manager

Mechanical Project Manager

Site-based | From May 2026
£75,000 - £90,000 or £350 - £400/day CIS/Ltd

If you are tired of being brought into jobs just to firefight programme issues, supply chain problems and coordination gaps created earlier in the process, this is the kind of role that gives you proper control from the front end.

You know mechanical project management is not straightforward. It is not just about pushing labour and chasing paperwork. It is about planning works properly in a live, controlled setting, managing access, sequencing refurbishment and new‑build elements, keeping standards high, and making sure delivery stays commercially and operationally on track. This role gives you the chance to do exactly that on a substantial custodial programme where the mechanical package matters.

You will be joining a top 30 M&E contractor with more than 25 years in the market. The business is privately owned and delivers across design and build, full M&E services, HVAC, IT infrastructure, CCTV, security, access control and fire alarms. Their project portfolio spans commercial, education, residential, super‑prime residential, leisure, healthcare and Ministry of Justice environments, with schemes ranging up to £20m. That breadth matters because it points to a contractor used to working in complex, highly regulated buildings where planning, coordination and quality cannot be left to chance.

The work itself is strong. This programme involves the refurbishment of existing prison buildings alongside the delivery of new houseblocks, a healthcare facility, multipurpose workshops, teaching spaces, gym facilities and additional catering and kitchen areas. It is the sort of job that needs a Mechanical Project Manager who can look beyond the individual package and understand how delivery, access, sequencing, compliance and handover all have to come together in a controlled environment.

This is a site-based role across HMP Feltham and HMP Coldingley from May 2026. You will be the person responsible for making sure the mechanical works are properly planned, properly resourced and properly delivered.

You will build and manage the programme, drive procurement and labour forecasting, control subcontractor performance, oversee health and safety, manage the financial and variation position, and keep the project moving towards a snag‑free handover. You will also be the key point of contact on the mechanical side, so being comfortable in front of the client, communicating clearly and maintaining confidence throughout the job is a major part of the role.

This is not a position for someone who wants to sit behind reports and react to problems from a distance. It suits a Mechanical Project Manager who likes being close to the work, making decisions early, holding standards on site and taking ownership through to final accounts, O&M completion and handover.

What you will be doing

• Managing the mechanical package across custodial works at HMP Feltham and HMP Coldingley from pre‑delivery planning through to commissioning and handover.
• Producing and driving the programme to ensure works are delivered in a controlled and timely manner across refurbishment and new‑build elements.
• Taking ownership of procurement, labour forecasting and subcontractor management so site activities are properly planned and supported.
• Managing costs, variations, health and safety and quality, while maintaining strong control of progress on site.
• Acting as the main mechanical point of contact for the client and wider project team, keeping communication clear and delivery aligned.
• Ensuring a professional close‑out of the project, including snag‑free completion, final accounts and full O&M handover.

What you will need

• A proven background delivering mechanical building services projects in the UK.
• Experience managing mechanical packages ideally up to £6m within M&E or building services environments.
• The ability to programme, coordinate and deliver works in complex live or highly regulated settings.
• A strong track record of managing subcontractors, driving standards and maintaining programme and commercial control.
• Client‑facing confidence and the ability to take ownership of the mechanical scope from early planning through to handover.
• Custodial or Ministry of Justice experience would be highly attractive. Similar experience within defence or other secure estates will also be considered.

If you want a mechanical project management role where the environment is complex, the delivery challenge is real and your input will genuinely shape the success of the job, this is worth a conversation.

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