Area Manager

Job title: Area Manager / Engineer or Project Manager Type: Salaried / Permanent Salary: Dependent on experience, skills and location Location: North West (Manchester) An introduction to our unique company… Waterman Aspen welcomes project managers, engineers and technical specialists to make their mark on some of the biggest infrastructure projects across the UK on a secondment basis. We specialise in providing the right people, with the right skills for the job, at the right time – for as long as our clients need them. We are proud of how much we value and support our colleagues – taking people from the very start of their careers to Chartered status and beyond.

We have big ambitions for the future, and we’d love for you to be part of it. This particular role is a high-impact, hybrid leadership role tailored for an ambitious professional within the UK Rail sector. The role offers the best of both worlds.

This isn’t just a technical role, it’s a dual-mandate position. Your main contribution to the management role will be to shape and support regional growth, alongside an appropriate‑level secondment to help you stay connected to the technical environment. This is an opportunity for you to develop through to full commercial ownership, with the support of your Associate and Regional Director, recruiting, managing, and mentoring a talented regional technical team while building the strategic client relationships that shape our future.

This role requires exceptional time management and a proactive approach to supporting your team. We are people centric and value respect, honesty, compassion and above all else we want you to enjoy your role. You will report directly to an Associate Director who reports to a Regional Director, who will provide guidance on the commercial and strategic aspects of the region.

An annual training programme is followed to support your learning and training on the job to achieve your goals. Leadership memberships and the chance to develop into a Chartered Manager is possible after a qualifying period. Recognition by way of the Area Manager Supplement in addition to a bi-yearly bonus for achievement is part of the reward.

Your career with Waterman Aspen… You’ll get all the benefits of being employed by us, while working on a variety of projects for our clients. This role within Waterman Aspen sees you being part of our management team as well as being in secondment within your technical discipline as a project manager or engineer. You will be a key member of the Rail Management team and you can expect: Being Part of the Management Team will provide: Team Leadership & Staff Welfare Skills Direct Staff Management Career Progression Team Integration Strategic Recruitment Ability Candidate sourcing and assessment Commercial negotiation Pipeline management Business Development & Client Care Relationship Management Market Intelligence Gathering Commercial Growth On Secondment: A varied client base for you to apply and develop your skills Professional subscription to a professional body of your choice Career development and support to reach your professional goals (CEng, EngTech, Incorporated) Buy-in from clients to assist in your professional progression Further exposure to the industry - increasing your awareness, knowledge and sharpening your skills Experience required… Essential: Technical Background: A strong professional background in the UK market, with proven experience in contributing to multidisciplinary projects and ensuring full compliance with current industry standards in your sector or skill set.

Management Aptitude: Proven experience in, or a clear aptitude for, people management and the ability to lead a diverse team. Commercial Acumen: An ability to understand the local marketplace, costs, and rate negotiation. Communication: Effective verbal and written skills, and aware of professional social media within the industry e.g.

LinkedIn, professional bodies. To always adopt a professional approach. Qualifications: Ideally educated to Degree or HNC level or similar experience, with membership in a relevant professional Institution (e.g., ICE, IHE, CIHT, APM) or proven experience.

Desirable: At least 3 years’ experience within your technical field Involvement in full project lifecycle within light or heavy rail A full UK driving licence Relevant design software experience where appropriate You’ll get this and so much more… A salary in line with your experience, skills and location along with an industry-leading benefits package: Company car or car allowance Contribution to commuting mileage Permanent health insurance 25 days annual leave (buy up to 5 more) Company pension contribution Salary sacrifice to buy additional benefits 1 paid Waterman Aspen in the Community Day to volunteer in your local community