Principal Project Manager NWUHG

Job summary

This is a single, programme-wide role within the Norfolk and Waveney New Hospital Programme. The vacancy is being advertised through both Queen Elizabeth Hospital and James Paget University Hospital recruitment sites to maximise candidate visibility; however, only one appointment will be made.

The Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG) is delivering two nationally significant hospital replacement programmes through the New Hospital Programme. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust (QEH) and James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (JPUH) are both affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and are progressing plans to replace their existing hospital facilities with modern, sustainable healthcare campuses designed to meet the needs of patients, staff and local communities for decades to come.

To support these programmes, two Principal Project Manager posts have been established, one hosted by each Trust. Whilst each postholder will be responsible for delivery within their respective organisation, both roles form part of a wider collaborative programme across the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group. The postholders will work closely together to share knowledge, apply consistent standards and approaches, and support the successful delivery of two of the most significant healthcare infrastructure investments in the region.

Main duties of the job

These senior leadership roles are critical to the successful delivery of the New Hospital Programme at both Trusts. The Principal Project Manager will provide strong client-side leadership across a complex portfolio of projects and workstreams, ensuring effective coordination between Trust teams, consultants, contractors and stakeholders.

• Project Coordination
• Project Execution and Monitoring
• Risk Management
• Budget and Resource Management
• Quality Assurance and Compliance
• Team Leadership and Development
• Freedom to Act

About us

At QEH and JPUH, we are committed to creating inclusive workplaces where diversity is valued, and everyone can contribute and succeed. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds and communities.

Job responsibilities

Please could you answer the below questions in your application

This role is also being recruited to within the New Hospital Programme at our partner Trust. Please indicate your preferred location:

• Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn
• James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston
• Either location

If you are not successful in securing a role at your preferred location, would you be happy for your application to be considered for the equivalent role at the other Trust?

• Yes
• No

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details regarding this post.

Person specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• Degree in project management, construction management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience gained through delivering major capital projects.
• A recognised project or programme management qualification such as APM PMQ or equivalent is expected.
• An understanding of NEC3 or NEC4 contracts is required, including how they are applied in practice within large and complex delivery environments. This does not require the postholder to act in a formal NEC role, but they must be able to operate confidently alongside those who do.

Desirable

• Better Business Case Foundation or Higher.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience of working in an NEC-based delivery environment, with a clear understanding of how programme, risk and change are managed and how issues are surfaced and resolved through the contract framework.
• Experience of working with Tier 1 contractors and established supply chains, with the ability to operate as a credible client-side lead, supporting a collaborative approach while maintaining appropriate oversight and challenge.
• Experience of coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring alignment to a single delivery strategy across complex and interdependent programme elements.
• Experience of working within a regulated or publicly accountable environment, with strong governance, assurance and reporting requirements.

Skills, abilities, and knowledge

Essential

• Strong leadership capability, with the ability to bring together teams, provide clear direction and maintain focus on delivery outcomes.
• Able to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders, delivery partners and contractors, and to operate with credibility in a complex and high-profile programme environment.
• A sound understanding of programme delivery, including planning, risk management, governance and performance monitoring, with the ability to interpret and act on complex information.
• Able to provide clear, practical advice and translate technical or delivery issues into matters that support effective decision-making.
• Well-developed organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain control across multiple workstreams.
• A consistent focus on quality, accuracy and attention to detail.

Aptitude

Essential

• A professional and measured approach, demonstrating sound judgement and the ability to operate effectively under pressure.
• A clear and confident communicator, able to engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the resilience to deliver in a complex and evolving programme environment.
• Demonstrates behaviours aligned to organisational values, including professionalism, integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement.