CK Rail is a specialist rail business with extensive knowledge and experience gained through many years of multi-disciplined strategy and delivery. Our approach is globally managed and locally delivered, ensuring international best practice is applied with local understanding. Our ethos — “Driving innovation through collaboration” — reflects our commitment to excellence, partnership, and sustainable growth within a demanding and rewarding rail market. We aim to develop collaborative relationships that drive strategic growth through successful delivery.
Role Overview
The Project Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of on-site rail infrastructure projects and is the leader of the site operations team. Acting as the primary point of contact for clients, the Project Manager holds full accountability for health, safety, environmental and quality (HSQE) compliance, programme performance, budget control, and client satisfaction. Operating as Person in Charge (PIC) when working under Principal Contractor arrangements, the Project Manager ensures all activities are delivered in accordance with CK Rail’s Integrated Management System (IMS), statutory requirements, and client expectations.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Professional Standards
- Act professionally at all times, promoting CK Rail’s values, standards, and best practices.
- Maintain a full understanding of company policies, procedures, and statutory obligations.
- Lead by example, fostering a positive, compliant, and high-performing site culture.
Project & Operational Delivery
- Take full responsibility for the safe, compliant, and successful delivery of projects.
- Provide operational support to tenders as directed by the Director of Rail and Director of Projects.
- Ensure full understanding of tender documentation, pricing strategy, and programme logic.
- Chair and attend meetings with clients, subcontractors, designers, and stakeholders.
- Organise site mobilisation, including site setup, inductions, and resource planning.
- Ensure effective tender handovers and HSEQ pre-start meetings are completed.
Health, Safety, Environmental & Quality (HSQE)
- Support HSQE compliance across all project activities.
- Develop and implement site-specific Health & Safety Plans.
- Ensure RAMS, COSHH assessments, and safe systems of work are produced, communicated, followed, and reviewed.
- Ensure all employees, contractors, and visitors receive appropriate inductions and training.
- Ensure PPE is provided, maintained, and correctly used.
- Report, investigate, and close out accidents, incidents, and near misses in liaison with the HSQE team.
- Support health & safety representation and initiatives across site teams.
Programme & Planning Management
- Manage and support the production of fully resourced construction programmes covering design, procurement, and construction phases.
- Maintain programmes with accurate progress updates, as-built records, and change tracking.
- Identify critical path activities and ensure all teams understand programme requirements.
- Present programmes and revisions to clients and chair regular progress meetings.
- Review delivery strategy continuously to identify efficiencies and improvements.
Commercial & Financial Control
- Agree project performance targets with the Director / Contracts Manager across quality, safety, programme, finance, client satisfaction, and staff development.
- Work closely with the Commercial Team on procurement, forecasting, and cost control.
- Monitor labour, plant, materials, and subcontract costs against budget.
- Identify cost risks and overspends early and implement corrective actions.
- Prepare detailed cost plans and reconcile costs on a monthly basis.
- Report additional or unplanned costs promptly.
People Management & Development
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing project team.
- Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities.
- Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support staff development.
- Promote open communication and collaboration across the team.
- Monitor morale and address issues with HR and senior management support.
- Actively engage in PDR, appraisal, and training processes.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Maintain strong working relationships with clients, designers, subcontractors, suppliers, and communities.
- Attend community liaison meetings and manage stakeholder engagement effectively.
- Maintain issue registers and ensure actions are tracked and closed out.
- Protect and develop long-term subcontractor and supply chain relationships.
Risk, Assurance & Documentation
- Identify, evaluate, and manage project risks, maintaining an up-to-date Risk Register.
- Ensure accurate site records, diaries, as-built information, and project documentation are maintained.
- Ensure design deliverables are provided in accordance with programme and Design & Build procedures.
- Support internal and external audits and provide detailed performance reporting.
Compliance and IMS Responsibility
CK Rail operates under an Integrated Management System (IMS) certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management).
The Project Manager is responsible for:
- Implementing CK IMS processes and adhering to HSQE assurance and control requirements.
- Acting as Process Owner for designated IMS processes and ensuring intended outcomes are achieved.
- Leading process reviews and supporting integrated internal audits.
- Participating in incident investigations and reviews.
- Identifying opportunities for improvement and working with the HSQE team to drive continual improvement across CK IMS.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in Project Management within rail or infrastructure environments.
- Strong knowledge of construction, rail, health & safety, and environmental legislation.
- Proven leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary site teams.
- Strong programme, commercial, and risk management capability.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable
- Formal qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Experience operating as PIC under Principal Contractor arrangements.
- Professional Project Management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, PMP).
About CK Holdings
CK Rail is part of CK Holdings, a group of progressive businesses operating under a central leadership team motivated by innovation and collaboration. The collective expertise across the group strengthens each business, maximising best practice and problem-solving to consistently exceed client expectations.
Pay: £65,000.00-£75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
