Project Lead

You will be responsible all facets associated with project leadership and delivery, including planning, commercials, execution, and delivery. Leading by example and continuing to deliver excellence in project leadership, you will work with an integrated team here in the office and support our people delivering a consistent high-quality service for clients, ensuring that repeat business opportunities are developed, and profitability is achieved. We have a high volume of high-quality repeat work with established clients and an un-rivalled reputation in the local market. Your job will be to help us maintain and grow this position.

• Collaborate closely with the Oxford leadership team, contributing to the smooth operation (ensuring effective resource management) and strategic growth of the office.
• Manage risk, change, and compliance, ensuring governance standards are consistently met.
• Define and agree brief with Client and all relevant stakeholders.
• Manage and prioritise the workload of the project team.
• Competently represent all disciplines of Hoare Lea at project meetings and workshops as appropriate and facilitate any resulting actions in a timely manner.
• Support the development of colleagues by mentoring, coaching, and fostering a culture of learning and inclusivity.
• Be responsible for dealing successfully with Clients and other professionals to foster and maintain good relationships and to create future opportunities.
• Take responsibility for project financial performance, ensuring profit, margin, and revenue targets are achieved in line with Business Unit goals.
• Contribute to the advancement of firmwide initiatives that drive excellence, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Take holistic ownership for design and project management duties associated with medium and large-scale projects across all related disciplines (including MEP), reporting to the respective Programme Director.
• Act as the key client contact, building long-term, trusted relationships that reflect our reputation for quality, reliability, and value.
• Lead the planning, execution, delivery, and monitoring of projects, ensuring exceptional client outcomes and commercial performance.
• Contribute to the development of our methods of working to improve our quality and efficiency.
• Promote technical excellence and innovation, helping teams to deliver high-quality, creative, and sustainable solutions.
• Arrange and facilitate internal project briefings and communications, with the right cultural mindset to achieve the project outcomes.

We are an office which celebrates diversity in its true sense and so we are looking for someone who can bring that through their skill set (not just technical!) or culture, who can influence the direction of our projects and our office. We pride ourselves in positioning people in a place where they can play to their strengths as part of our team and really contribute to something which is great.

We are looking for someone who can take the lead role on projects, with strong leadership and communication skills, who can contribute to our strategy and continue to build on our culture and our sense of team. Discipline is irrelevant as we are looking for the right person, with the skills, experience, and passion to excel in this role.

• Strong technical knowledge in a primary engineering discipline and ability to work to relevant and applicable regulations, design guides, etc.
• IT literate with a technical understanding of relevant IT packages
• Self-awareness, an open mind, and a spirit of generosity
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to multi-task are essential, with a good team spirit.
• Demonstrable experience working with clients/contractors/collaborators in a design-oriented role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be confident and assertive in communicating with people at all levels to enable you to build good working relationships with all those around you – both internally and externally.
• A proven track record as a proactive project lead, ideally within building services environment (within a professional consultancy or contractor led environment).
• Be able to work using your own initiative as well as being able to follow direction from the Senior leadership team.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to 30 days of annual leave.

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

As we enter a new fiscal year, it's an exciting time to join our growing team. Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high-performing work culture.

As a young, vibrant and innovative office located in the heart of Jericho, culture is at the heart of everything that we do. We encourage and foster a collaborative working environment, which includes the widespread adoption of hybrid working and the option to work a 9-day fortnight.