Principal Project Manager

About Us

At HDR, we specialise in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists. That's why we believe diversity is our greatest strength. HDR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. That ideas inspire positive change. That colouring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward.

As a Principal Project Manager, you will be part of an organisation that is 100-percent employee owned, that supports and creates many opportunities for you to advance, succeed and fulfil your career aspirations.

Primary Objectives

The primary objectives of our Principal Project Managers are to see that our commissioning business operates efficiently, and the processes involved in the commissioning of engineering services systems have been safely, diligently and accurately planned, managed, executed and recorded. Also, that obligations in managing our people and our clients are discharged.

This includes:

• Acting as a key point of client contact
• Lead various projects simultaneously
• To take responsibility for project related safety liasing with the site project lead and the Health and Safety Champion
• Coordinate with the site project lead to provide a high level view of each project via weekly report/dashboard and monthly catchup
• Making full use of the company’s quality and financial management systems in achieving the primary objective

Regularly audit the progress of HDR deliverables, agree and monitor corrective action as necessary.

See that the project lead and team are proactively progressing commissioning activities throughout the project cycle in conjunction with the General Contractor and Vendors

By diligent management of the commissioning process seeing that systems are set to work optimally and verified as such, in accordance with the design requirements.

Providing consultative advice in determining commissioning and performance requirements, commissioning strategies, programmes, scopes of work, test scripts and the like.

Coach site leads as necessary to allow their development

Support programme management and other management duties

Key Attributes

In addition to working closely with many different members of a construction project team at site

level it involves building internal relationships and undertaking management activities that help manage the company efficiently. It requires the ability to think and communicate clearly, to remain focused and to lead construction delivery staff and office team members whilst remaining motivated during fast moving periods of complex activity.

Ideal attributes include:

• Individual drive, enthusiasm and a high attention to detail.
• Curiosity.
• Detailed technical knowledge of mechanical and electrical building services systems.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Project.
• Creativity and an ability to problem solve quickly.
• Multi-tasking abilities.
• Being task and deadline focused.
• Effective leadership and motivational, supervisory and organisational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Flexibility.
• Ability to consistently produce high quality project work.
• Ability to efficiently communicate in written and oral forms.
  
  

Core Responsibilities

These responsibilities are the principal requirements of the role and are supplemented by the typical (project related) duties below.

• Assist in the development of technical and commercial responses to tender returns.
• Co-ordinate weekly high-level meetings with the client stakeholders
• Maintain a team of commissioning engineers/agents, optimising staff utilisation.
• Accountability for project delivery in full accordance with our appointment to include technical and commercial compliance.
• Commercial management of project change.
• Accountability for the quality of service, delivery and management of client expectations.
• Responsibility for project related safety insofar as it relates to our work.
• Providing positive and effective management and setting an appropriate example to other members of the team.
• Report any performance problems to line management.
• Participate in staff appraisals and CPD activities with the associate director
• Accurately forecast staffing requirements and identifying recruitment needs and potential candidates to fulfil project requirements
  
  

Typical Duties

These duties indicate typical project activities expected of a Senior Commissioning Project Managers.

• Day-to-day management of commissioning engineers and agents
• Manage impact of change on our fees
• Management of the entire commissioning process.
• Ensure that the development of commissioning plans, schedules, reports, checklists, test scripts and the like are undertaken.
• Provide a HDR internal document quality control prior to client submittal.
• Development and third party by into project certification strategies.
• Recording of detailed progress pre-requisites
• Routine population and management of data in our project management software.
• Undertaking and reporting of inspections and tests.

Assisting in the development of design and commissioning documentation for tender and construction purposes.

Attend project and internal meetings as reasonably required.

To look ahead with a view to arranging test instrumentation.

Support projects during client discussions of a technical nature

Working closely as part of a general contractor’s team in developing commissioning strategies and processes which align fully with project objectives.

Undertaking technical assessments of project schedules, drawings, manuals and technical submittals.

Management and detailed recording of meetings.

Providing routine progress reporting and final project close out report.

Management of, attendance and reporting of factory tests.

Arranging third party sign off as necessary

Providing technical advice to clients in respect of project and operational risk.

Visit site to assist project related issues to support site team.

Additionally

In addition to role and project specific duties, other requirements are detailed below. These are intended to encourage and address wider engagement in the organisation.

• Keep abreast of current design trends and technologies
• Have a thorough understanding and kept abreast of commissioning industry standards and governance. This is to include but not limited to ASHRAE, CIBSE, BSRIA, LEED, WELL BREEAM etc. and make sure HDR are kept abreast and adapt to necessary changes
• Assist in the development of standard in-house documents and guides
• To maintain regular contact with Clients and build/foster relationships outside of a project environment.
• Support presentation for new projects and help co-ordinate all other input
• Review key reports prior to issue to client
• Working with all members of staff to maintain and develop the positive progressive culture within the company.

To accurately complete timesheets on a weekly basis

To pro-actively support other members of staff in undertaking their work

Promote and foster a strong, ethical, friendly and efficient team culture and working environment

Constantly portray a professional image to colleagues, senior employees and Client in person and in all communications

Undertake other such duties as the Company may reasonably require from time-to-time.

Developing the technical and managerial skills of current/new staff by contributing to their Personal Development Plans.

Development with your line manager the technical development the company takes in pursuit of new business.

Required Qualifications

Clients often rely on the advice and reported data that we provide in making their decisions. It is crucially important this this information is contemporary and technically accurate.

• Ideally registered as a Professional or Chartered Engineer
• Ideally an engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrable ‘in industry’ technical experience.
• 5 years minimum industry experience within Project Management/Commissioning Management.
• Will have one or more specific, relevant, technical expertise.
• Some European travel required
• (Remote working available)
  
  

WHY HDR

At HDR, we know work isn't only about who you work for it's also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other's contributions, and collaborate together to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.

Primary Location:

United Kingdom-England-London

Other Locations:

United Kingdom

Industry:

Building Engineering

Schedule:

Full-time

Employee Status:

Regular

BusinessClass:

Building Commissioning

Job Posting:

Mar 10, 2026


At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.