Senior Project Manager

Role overview

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join its expanding rail team in Ireland. The position is based in Dublin or Cork and focuses on leading technical delivery across a variety of rail projects in Ireland and the UK, from major enhancement programmes to smaller community-focused renewal and improvement work. The role also supports wider cross-sector project work.

The team has an established pipeline and long-term client relationships with Translink (Northern Ireland Railways) and Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail). Due to increasing investment in rail travel in the region, the team is looking to grow locally and strengthen its project management capability.

As part of the role, you will lead project management delivery, build stronger client relationships, and help deliver efficient, high-quality solutions. The work will vary in scale and complexity, offering strong scope for personal and professional development. You will need to work independently while also supporting the wider team.

About Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with more than 20,000 employees across over 50 countries and 140+ offices. The business works across major global industries to deliver projects that shape the future and create positive social impact in communities. As an employee-owned organisation, it aims to create an environment where people feel empowered, included, and valued.

Business unit focus

The transport business unit supports cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the world. Its work spans early-stage business case development, advice on revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation, through to infrastructure delivery and ongoing maintenance. The team contributes significantly to the global transport sector strategy.

What you will do

• Lead project management delivery across a range of rail projects in Ireland and the UK.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships by understanding challenges and shaping practical delivery solutions.
• Work on projects ranging from small local schemes to larger, high-profile railway initiatives.
• Support the growth of the local rail project management team within the wider rail function.
• Collaborate with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams while also working autonomously where required.
• Contribute to technically and commercially sound delivery across the project lifecycle.

What you need

• Strong coordination and communication skills, with the ability to work well across multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven experience managing project delivery from client engagement and bid development through planning, design, and execution.
• Good working knowledge of project controls, including earned value analysis.
• Practical experience managing project change, including administration, negotiation, and closure.
• Strong analytical and numerical ability, including confidence using Excel.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• A degree in project management, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional chartership, or active progress toward it, with a relevant institution.
• Desirable: progress toward APM Chartered Project Professional (CPP) or similar recognition.
• Desirable: familiarity with the rail environment, including civil/structural, rail systems, or rolling stock.
• Desirable: understanding of railway project design processes.
• Desirable: interest in delivering projects more efficiently.
• Desirable: experience with NEC contract setup or administration.
• Desirable: experience agreeing final accounts.
• Desirable: experience updating programmes in Primavera P6.
• Desirable: experience handling technical or commercial bid/proposal work.
• Desirable: experience supervising early-career project professionals.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Hybrid working policy that supports wellbeing, flexibility, and trust.
• Pension matched up to 7% of base salary.
• Competitive annual leave.
• Annual professional institution subscription.
• Life insurance.
• Income continuance cover.
• Enhanced paternity leave.
• Annual company performance bonus, subject to company performance.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Travel TaxSaver tickets.
• Support for continuing professional development, with Engineers Ireland accreditation.
• Mentoring and career development support.

Equality, accessibility, and working style

Mott MacDonald is committed to fair employment, equal opportunities, and an inclusive workplace where individual expression is encouraged. If you need adjustments because of a disability or require support during the application or interview process, you can contact reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com for help.

The company follows an agile working approach, allowing managers and employees to agree the most effective way of working while balancing client needs, team commitments, and personal responsibilities.

Additional details

Location options: Dublin or Cork, Ireland. Contract type: permanent. Work pattern: full time. Market: transport. Discipline: project, programme and commercial management. Recruiter contact: William Bates. Job reference: 12470.

The role is based onsite, with a hybrid working policy mentioned as part of the company’s agile working approach.