Principal Engineering Project Manager

Why Southwark?

Do you want to shape Southwark’s streets and places for the future?

Southwark Council is looking for an experienced and motivated Principal Project Manager to lead a high-profile programme of highways capital projects. This is a key role with responsibility for taking projects from inception through to completion of outline design, ensuring strong project governance, excellent design quality and meaningful engagement with our communities.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team and work closely with residents, councillors, contractors and partners to deliver schemes that support Southwark’s ambitions for safe, inclusive and well-designed streets.

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll lead and manage a programme of highways capital projects from inception through to completion of outline design, ensuring projects are well-governed, financially controlled and delivered to a high standard of design quality. You’ll take a hands-on approach to project and programme management, commissioning and managing external consultants and contractors to deliver specialist work.

A key part of the role is working closely with local communities and residents’ groups, shaping proposals through meaningful engagement, clearly communicating plans and resolving issues as they arise. You’ll represent the Council in internal and external forums, providing expert advice on project development, contract specifications, tendering processes and contractor performance.

You’ll be responsible for preparing and monitoring budgets, delivering funding bids and ensuring robust financial and quality management systems are in place. You’ll lead and performance-manage a multidisciplinary team, support continuous improvement of the service, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the Council and partner organisations to ensure projects deliver best value and meet the needs of Southwark’s communities.

You’ll also keep abreast of best practice in highways, street design, project management and community engagement, help strengthen partnerships that support future funding opportunities, and deputise for the Group Manager when required.

What We're Looking For

You will bring:

• Significant experience managing complex highways or transport capital projects

• Strong programme and financial management skills

• Experience of leading and performance managing professional teams

• A track record of working collaboratively with communities, stakeholders and partners

• Confidence operating at senior level and representing the service in internal and external forums

• A commitment to high-quality design, inclusive engagement and continuous improvement

Additional Information

Recruitment Timeline:

• Advert Closing Date 13/05/2026
• Shortlisting Date 15/05/2026
• Interview Date 26/05/2026

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

This post is Full Time, 36 hours a week.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans

• Are currently in care or have previously been in care.

• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Benefits

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

There are shift enhancements for out of hours and weekend working associated with this post.

Benefits include: 29 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays, competitive pension scheme and excellent support for learning and development.

Attachments

• Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification