NEC Project Manager - Aviation & Ports

Location/s: Birmingham, London, Cardiff, Bristol; UK

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee‑owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Overview of the role

Are you an experienced NEC Project Manager ready to lead the successful delivery of complex, high‑profile infrastructure projects? Do you want to play a key role in delivering programmes that keep people, goods, and economies moving? Join our Gateway Infrastructure team within our Aviation & Ports Division as an NEC Project Manager and help shape the future of some of the UK’s most critical transport hubs.

From major airport expansions and airfield infrastructure upgrades to innovative port developments and maritime facilities, you’ll be responsible for driving the effective administration and delivery of projects under NEC contracts, ensuring successful outcomes for our clients while maintaining collaborative and proactive stakeholder relationships.

You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team where your commercial awareness, contract management expertise, and leadership skills are valued. Working directly with clients, contractors, and multi-disciplinary project teams, you’ll help ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with NEC principles as well as helping to embed a culture of best practice in Project Management throughout the team.

Join our Gateway Infrastructure team and contribute to the delivery of industry‑leading infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally. As a team we both lead and support the delivery of projects ranging from airport terminals, airside infrastructure, and landside developments to port terminals, marine infrastructure, and associated energy infrastructure.

Whether supporting strategic programme delivery, overseeing construction activities, or providing contract management expertise for major capital works, our team drive to be at the forefront of delivering infrastructure that enables future growth within the aviation and maritime sectors.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Act as the NEC Project Manager on behalf of clients administering NEC contracts in accordance with contractual requirements
• Internal Project Management of large multidisciplinary technical, commercial, and construction teams to ensure successful project outcomes
• Lead and manage the Early Warning and Compensation Event processes
• Review and assess contractor programmes, progress reports, and contractual submissions
• Monitor project performance against cost, programme, quality, and risk objectives
• Provide clear and timely advice to clients on contractual matters and project delivery risks
• Support procurement activities, contract award processes, and project mobilisation
• Promote best practice NEC contract management and collaborative working principles throughout project delivery
• Contribute to business development activities, client relationship management, and the continued growth of the Aviation & Ports sector

Candidate specification

We are seeking a motivated and commercially astute NEC Project Manager who is passionate about infrastructure delivery and thrives in a collaborative client‑facing environment. This is an opportunity to take ownership of complex projects, build strong relationships with clients, internal teams and contractors, and contribute to the growth of a dynamic sector team.

Requirements:

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline
• Professional membership with APM, ICE, RICS, CIArb, or another relevant professional institution
• Significant experience delivering infrastructure projects under NEC3 and/or NEC4 contracts and understanding of NEC contractual processes, including Early Warnings, Compensation Events, Programme Management, Risk Registers, and Change Control
• Experience acting in the role of NEC Project Manager, Assistant Project Manager, or a similar client-side contract management role
• Experience delivering projects within aviation, ports, transportation, infrastructure, utilities, or related sectors (aviation and ports experience is advantageous but not essential)
• Strong knowledge of project controls, commercial management, stakeholder engagement, and construction delivery

We are looking for candidates with the following strengths:

• Act as the NEC Project Manager on behalf of clients administering NEC contracts in accordance with contractual requirements
• Internal Project Management of large multidisciplinary technical, commercial, and construction teams to ensure successful project outcomes
• Lead and manage the Early Warning and Compensation Event processes
• Review and assess contractor programmes, progress reports, and contractual submissions
• Monitor project performance against cost, programme, quality, and risk objectives
• Provide clear and timely advice to clients on contractual matters and project delivery risks
• Support procurement activities, contract award processes, and project mobilisation
• Promote best practice NEC contract management and collaborative working principles throughout project delivery
• Contribute to business development activities, client relationship management, and the continued growth of the Aviation & Ports sector

Join us and play a key role in delivering the next generation of airport and port infrastructure projects, helping create sustainable, resilient, and connected transport networks for the future.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people‑first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years' service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

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