Latest Project Manager Jobs:
Find Project Manager Jobs:
Don't see what your looking for? Get in touch with our recruitment team:
Salary information for Project Manager jobs:
FAQs about Project Manager Jobs
A client-side Project Manager is the developer’s primary agent, responsible for the day-to-day management and successful delivery of a construction project from the end of the feasibility stage through to handover. Acting on behalf of the client (the developer), their core role is to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the specified quality standards. They are the tactical implementers of the Development Manager’s strategic vision, translating the business case into a deliverable building and managing all parties to achieve the developer’s objectives.
What are a client-side Project Manager's main responsibilities?
The main responsibilities of a client-side Project Manager include defining the project brief, developing the detailed project programme, and tendering for and appointing the full professional team, including the main contractor. They manage project budgets, oversee procurement strategies, and administer the building contract. Throughout the project, they are the central point of communication, chairing progress meetings, managing risk, and reporting directly to the developer or funding partners on all aspects of progress, ensuring the client’s interests are protected at every stage.
What is the typical salary for a client-side Project Manager in the UK?
Reflecting their crucial role, client-side Project Managers are well compensated. As of May 2025, an Assistant or junior Project Manager in the UK can expect to earn between £40,000 and £55,000. A qualified Project Manager with a few years of experience will typically command a salary of £60,000 to £80,000. In London, this figure is often higher, ranging from £70,000 to £95,000. For Senior Project Managers and Project Directors managing major schemes, salaries in London frequently exceed £100,000, complemented by a car allowance, health benefits, and significant project-related bonuses.
What is the ideal background and what skills are needed for this role?
The ideal background for a client-side Project Manager is typically a degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field, often followed by professional chartership with bodies like RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building), or APM (Association for Project Management). Many client-side PMs begin their careers at construction consultancies or main contractors to gain essential site and contract experience. Key skills include expert knowledge of construction contracts (e.g., JCT), strong leadership, stakeholder management, financial literacy, and robust risk management capabilities.
What is the career progression for a client-side Project Manager?
The career path for a client-side Project Manager is one of increasing project complexity and team leadership. Starting as an Assistant or Graduate Project Manager, they learn the fundamentals before taking on their own smaller projects as a Project Manager. With a successful track record, they advance to Senior Project Manager, responsible for flagship schemes and potentially mentoring junior staff. The ultimate career goal is a senior leadership position such as Project Director or Head of Delivery, overseeing a portfolio of projects and playing a key role in the developer’s strategic operations.
How does this role differ from a contractor's Project Manager?
The distinction is fundamental and lies in who they represent. The client-side Project Manager works for the developer. Their loyalty is to the project’s business case and their job is to manage the entire delivery team, including the main contractor, to protect the client’s interests. The contractor’s Project Manager works for the main contractor. Their primary responsibility is to manage the construction process on-site, organising labour, plant, and materials to build the project according to the contract, while ensuring their own company’s profitability and contractual obligations are met.
Why is this a good career path for someone with a construction background?
For professionals with a background in construction or quantity surveying, moving into a client-side Project Manager role is a highly rewarding career step. It offers an opportunity to move from a purely delivery-focused position to one with greater strategic input and influence over the entire project lifecycle, from design development through to completion. This path provides a more holistic understanding of the commercial drivers behind a project, closer interaction with investors and stakeholders, and the satisfaction of representing the ultimate owner of the asset, often leading to greater career development and financial rewards.
A private and exclusive forum for Architecture & Design professionals and students.
Backed by industry specialists, it’s where you can engage in meaningful conversation, make connections, showcase your work, gain expert insights, and tap into curated opportunities to advance your career or strengthen your studio.
