Building & Construction Project Leader – Capital Projects
Location: Portsmouth
Contract: 12 months (with possible extension)
Eligibility: UK Nationals only
£40 per hour - inside IR35
Overview
A leading defence environment is seeking a strong Project Construction Leader with solid construction and capital project delivery experience. This role sits within a highly regulated setting, supporting the delivery of CAPEX building and infrastructure projects from feasibility through to handover.
This opportunity is best suited to someone who has operated in both construction delivery and project management roles, ideally with some exposure to client-side environments and strong stakeholder engagement capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate Multi-Functional Project Teams (MFTs) to deliver capital projects in line with internal governance and Airbus procedures
- Manage full project lifecycle from inception, feasibility, design, specification, construction, and final handover
- Develop and maintain CAPEX business cases through approval and delivery stages
- Produce and manage detailed project delivery plans, risk registers, and opportunity tracking
- Oversee external professional services including architects, structural engineers, QS and CDM advisors
- Prepare technical documentation, reports, specifications, drawings, and cost analysis
- Monitor site works to ensure compliance with design, safety (H&S), and technical standards
- Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure effective communication across all project phases
- Support audits, validation of work packages, and technical compliance assurance
- Apply relevant design tools and industry-standard software (MS Project / SharePoint / G Suite preferred)
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience in construction project management within building services / capital works
- Strong background delivering CAPEX / refurbishment / plant replacement projects
- Experience in FM, consultancy, or client-side project environments (preferred)
- Ability to take projects from inception through to completion and handover
- Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical building services systems
- Experience developing briefs into full construction scopes and specifications
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, including external consultants
- ONC / HNC (or equivalent) in Building Services Engineering or related discipline
- Professional membership (CIBSE / IMechE / IET) desirable
- SMSTS or CCNSG beneficial
- NEBOSH awareness advantageous
- Defence sector experience preferred but not essential
We are particularly interested in candidates who have come from a construction background but have progressed into structured project management roles, rather than purely site delivery positions.
We can only consider applications from those eligible to work in the UK for this position. This position will require some additional checks, to ensure you can access the site worked as needed.
For more information on this position, please contact Marika Powell at ARM on 02392 228232 or email your CV and covering letter to marika.powell@arm.co.uk.