Project Manager - Rail in Manchester

Job DescriptionProject Manager - Rail (Contract) Our client is delivering a major rail initiative in Manchester and is looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our client's team on an initial 6‑month contract (inside IR35). This hybrid opportunity (3 days in the office, 2 days remote) places you at the heart of a high-profile public sector rail project, overseeing planning, execution, and progress monitoring to ensure delivery on time and within budget. You will be the key interface between internal stakeholders, external partners, and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring governance, safety, and compliance with rail industry standards. Key Skills and Experience Rail sector project management: Proven experience leading light and/or heavy rail projects, managing full lifecycle delivery. Stakeholder management: Ability to build strong relationships, manage expectations, and communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders. Client-side experience: Background working on the client side, representing project interests and driving outcomes. Project management: Strong planning, coordination, and progress tracking to ensure milestones are met within scope, time, and budget. NEC Contracts: Familiarity with NEC contract frameworks to manage commercial and contractual aspects of the project. Governance : Experience implementing and working within robust project governance structures. Public transport operations (nice-to-have): Understanding of operational considerations in rail and wider public transport environments. Role Details Location: Manchester, United Kingdom Contract: Inside IR35, £360 per day Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days remote Initial term: 6 months (overall project 2+ years) Start: ASAP/28th September If you have the relevant rail project experience and are available to start soon, we'd be keen to discuss this opportunity with you. Please click to find out more about our Key Information Documents. Please note that the documents provided contain generic information. If we are successful in finding you an assignment, you will receive a Key Information Document which will be specific to the vendor set-up you have chosen and your placement. To find out more about Progressive please visit Progressive Recruitment, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC(phone number removed) England and Wales