Associate Director - Project Manager

Are you a driven construction Project Manager looking to step up into an Associate Project Manager role in Leeds? This is an outstanding opportunity to join a UK-leading NEC consultancy delivering strategically important, high-value defence sector capital programmes across Yorkshire and beyond.

Our client is seeking a talented Associate Project Manager to bridge the gap between senior delivery and business leadership, taking charge of complex NEC programmes, developing client relationships and helping to shape the next phase of their defence team's growth.

This is a full-time, permanent Associate Project Manager job in Leeds, with a clear pathway to Associate Director level, significant client-facing responsibility, and a market-leading benefits package that reflects your step up.

Our client is a highly respected national construction consultancy with a proven track record delivering complex capital projects for major defence and public-sector clients. They are known as a business that invests in all its construction professionals by giving them the client access, project autonomy, and leadership opportunities that help ambitious PMs make the move into the next tier of their career.

With a strong Leeds base, a collaborative and high-performing team, and a secured forward pipeline of defence-sector work, this is a consultancy where an Associate Project Manager can thrive and progress both professionally and personally.

As an Associate Project Manager in Leeds, you will take a leadership role across a portfolio of NEC3 and NEC4 construction contracts within the defence and secure-environment sector. You will manage projects from inception to completion, develop and maintain strategic client relationships and provide senior oversight and mentorship to Project Manager and Senior Project Manager colleagues.

The role sits between operational delivery and business leadership, hence you will contribute to business development and attend client engagement activities, whilst supporting Associate Directors in shaping the consultancy's residential and commercial sector strategy. This Associate Project Manager job is office-based in Leeds with regional travel to project sites.

As an Associate Project Manager in Leeds, your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and administer NEC3 and NEC4 contracts across a portfolio of complex, high-value defence sector capital schemes.
• Oversee full project lifecycle management across multiple concurrent commissions, from feasibility through to post-completion review.
• Build and maintain strategic client relationships, acting as a trusted senior point of contact.
• Drive programme, cost, and risk performance, producing high-quality reports for client and internal leadership.
• Provide senior leadership, guidance, and mentorship to Project Manager and Senior Project Manager team members.
• Contribute to business development activity, bid preparation and the growth of the defence sector team.
• Ensure compliance with BPSS, CDM 2015, defence-sector governance, and internal quality standards.
• Support Associate Directors in strategic planning, resource allocation, and consultancy development.

To be considered for this Associate Project Manager position in Leeds, you will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience delivering high-value construction projects as a Senior Project Manager or Associate PM within a consultancy environment.
• Strong and demonstrable expertise in NEC3 and NEC4 contract administration (NEC accreditation is highly desirable).
• Proven leadership capability and experience managing and developing junior project management professionals.
• Established client-facing skills and the ability to build and sustain strategic relationships.
• BPSS Security Clearance, or the ability to obtain it (existing clearance is a significant advantage).
• Degree-level qualification in Construction Management, Project Management, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Chartered status or near-chartership; MRICS, MAPM (ChPP), MCIOB or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Full UK driving licence.

This Associate Project Manager role in Leeds offers a senior package commensurate with the level, including:

• Competitive Associate-level salary up to £80,000 (dependent on experience and profile).
• Clear, supported pathway to Associate Director level.
• Funded NEC accreditation and ongoing CPD investment.
• Significant client-facing responsibility and strategic influence.
• Long-term pipeline security through a strong, growing defence-sector portfolio.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Enhanced pension
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Gifted leave days
• Annual trips abroad
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave

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