Senior Project Manager - MOJ/Custodial

Senior Project Manager – MOJ/Custodial

We're looking for a Senior Project Manager to join our growing Willmott Dixon Interiors team, working across preconstruction and operational delivery on a number of prospective custodial projects based in and around Sussex and the surrounding region.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a construction professional with genuine Prisons, HMP, Ministry of Justice or custodial sector experience to play a leading role on some of our most complex and highest–profile upcoming projects. You'll bring a clear understanding of the security, compliance and operational complexities that set custodial construction apart from other sectors.

Initially, you'll be involved in the complex preconstruction elements of these projects, working closely with our bid, design and commercial teams to shape winning strategies and set the projects up for successful delivery. As projects move to site, you'll transition into an operational delivery role, acting as Operations Planning & Delivery Lead and overseeing day–to–day site delivery through to successful, defect–free handover.

This role offers the right candidate genuine scope to grow within the business, with a clear route toward more senior delivery leadership as our custodial project pipeline develops.

Key Responsibilities:

Preconstruction & Work Winning

• Support and help lead preconstruction strategy for custodial project and framework opportunities.
• Contribute to first– and second–stage tendering through to contract close, including PCSA activity.
• Work with planners, estimators, design managers and MEP specialists to develop commercially robust, high–quality bids.
• Help ensure bids reflect the specific security, compliance and operational requirements of custodial environments.

Operational Planning & Site Delivery

• Take full accountability for the delivery programme, understanding the build process and sequencing on live custodial sites.
• Identify, plan for and respond to project risks throughout the delivery lifecycle, including those specific to secure/custodial environments.
• Lead and motivate the project team and supply chain partners to deliver safely, on time, within budget and to the highest standards.
• Act as Operations Planning & Delivery Lead on site, ensuring a smooth transition from preconstruction into live delivery.
• Maintain HSE standards throughout and ensure a clean, defect–free project handover, including complete O&M documentation.

Commercial, Contractual & Stakeholder Management

• Fully understand the project's contractual and commercial position, including agreements made during preconstruction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, consultants and regulatory bodies, including Ministry of Justice / HMPPS stakeholders.
• Provide clear, regular reporting to senior leadership and support governance approvals.
• Support commercial negotiations and contribute to reducing cost of error and improving delivery certainty.

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrable experience working on Prisons, HMP, Ministry of Justice or other custodial construction projects.
• A clear understanding of the complexities, compliance requirements and operational sensitivities involved in delivering custodial sector projects.
• Proven experience in construction project management, ideally spanning both preconstruction and operational delivery. Within Construction, fit–out, interiors or refurbishment markets
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership capability, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams and supply chain partners.
• Sound commercial and contractual understanding, with the ability to manage risk effectively.
• Excellent communication, reporting and presentation skills.
• Existing security clearance, or the ability to obtain the vetting required to work on custodial/MoJ sites.

Desirable Skills:

• Public sector framework knowledge and understanding (SCAPE, CCS, Procurement Hub etc.).
• PRINCE2, APM, MCIOB, MRICS or equivalent qualification.

About Us:

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025.

Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.