Main Purpose of the Job

The FM Project Lead is accountable for end-to-end delivery of facilities and infrastructure projects across NBIP and partner institutes (JIC, EI, TSL, QIB).

The postholder drives projects from feasibility and design through procurement, construction, commissioning and handover into BAU, ensuring time, cost, quality and safety targets are met.

Priorities include robust delivery controls, stakeholder leadership in live research environments, contractor/consultant management, and exemplary handovers aligned to BSRIA Soft Landings, RIBA Plan of Work, and NBIP’s Project Transition Group (PTG) standards. Typical portfolio ranges from minor works (~£100k) to major capital projects (up to ~£10m).

Key Relationships

Reports to: Head of Facilities (FM)
Works closely with: NGI Project Team (design, delivery, commissioning, occupation planning), NBIP Principal Engineer (engineering strategy, technical assurance, SAMP inputs, business cases), Facilities Operations Manager, PMO; Senior Project Manager (Programme & Development), FM Operations & Maintenance; H&S; Energy & Environment; Finance & Procurement; IT/Security/Compliance, Scientific Platform Leads and end users, External contractors, consultants and commissioning agents
Line management: FM Project Team

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Project delivery leadership
• Lead day-to-day delivery of multiple projects (RIBA 1–7): scope, design coordination, procurement, construction, commissioning, practical completion and operational handover.
• Establish and manage baseline controls (programme, cost, scope, quality) with integrated change control and early recovery actions in live, regulated environments.

Programme, cost and risk control
• Build detailed schedules with milestones and critical path; report progress via dashboards and Board packs.
• Own forecasting (cashflow, accruals) and cost reporting; drive value-for-money decisions.
• Maintain a live RAID with clear owners and mitigations.

Procurement and contract management
• Define routes to market aligned to NBIP/public-sector rules; develop scopes and Employer’s Requirements.
• Run tendering, evaluation and award recommendations; negotiate/administer contracts (e.g., NEC/JCT) with performance KPIs.
• Direct and integrate designers, PD/PC and suppliers; chair progress and commercial meetings.

Safety, compliance and quality
• Ensure compliance with CDM and NBIP policies; champion safety culture.
• Coordinate statutory approvals, testing and certification; lead audits, quality inspections and technical reviews.

Interfaces & dependencies (FM ↔ NGI)
• Map, own and manage all interfaces/dependencies between FM projects and the NGI programme (utilities, enabling works, access/permits, commissioning windows, decants, security/IT integrations, operational readiness).
• Run joint FM–NGI planning forums to sequence works, resolve clashes and protect live scientific operations; maintain a shared interface register and decision log.
• Align FM construction/commissioning with NGI occupancy and transition plans to ensure seamless BAU handover.

Commissioning, Soft Landings and PTG handover
• Plan and lead commissioning (static, dynamic, integrated systems testing; seasonal as required).
• Deliver PTG-compliant handover: complete O&M manuals, as-built drawings, validated BIM/ISO 19650 information, COBie/asset registers, warranties, training and operational sign-off.
• Ensure asset data loads to CMMS/CAFM and PPM is live pre-occupation; manage defects/DLP to closure; feed lessons learned to the PTG.

SAMP & business case development
• Lead (with the NBIP Principal Engineer) development/refresh of Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) inputs from pipeline, condition, risk and performance data.
• Co-author business cases and options appraisals with the Principal Engineer, Head of Facilities, the Senior Project Manager (Programme & Development) and key scientific/operational stakeholders, evidencing safety, compliance, resilience, sustainability, lifecycle value and benefits realisation.
• Present cases through governance to secure approvals and funding.

Stakeholder and team leadership
• Build strong relationships with scientific users and FM Operations; balance delivery with continuity of live research.
• Communicate clearly and on time; facilitate decisions; manage conflicts and dependencies across institutes.
• Line-manage and coach FM PMs; promote best practice across the delivery team.

Sustainability and performance
• Embed whole-life thinking, energy/carbon considerations and maintainability into design and delivery.
• Track post-occupancy outcomes against design intent and initiate improvement actions.

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Degree (or equivalent experience) in engineering, building services, construction or project management

Essential

Recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2 Practitioner, APM PMQ or higher, or equivalent)

Essential

IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH Certificate

Essential

Programme management qualification or chartered project professional status (MSP/APM programme credentials: APM ChPP or RPP)

Desirable

Membership/chartership (APM, CIBSE, IMechE, RICS, IAM)

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Proven construction project delivery in live/regulated environments (labs, healthcare, pharma, HE or similar)

Essential

Experience of commissioning, acceptance management and Soft Landings delivery throughout the project lifecycle

Essential

Experience of digital asset information management, including BIM/ISO19650 principles, COBie, CDE workflows, asset data standards and CAFM/CMMS systems

Essential

CMMS/CAFM and asset data standards; PPM development (e.g., SFG20/manufacturer guidance)

Essential

Knowledge of public-sector procurement, contract administration and commercial management

Essential

Excellent MS Office skills and project tools (e.g., MS Project/Planner; Power BI familiarity desirable)

Essential

Interface management across multi-programme environments (e.g., NGI utilities, commissioning, access

Essential

Understanding of NBIP partner landscape and NRP protocols; greenfield and existing built-environment delivery

Desirable

Knowledge of lifecycle costing/NRM, energy and performance commissioning

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Leading multiple small/medium works and at least one major capital project to PC and BAU handover

Essential

Managing complex stakeholder groups and executive reporting; resolving design/technical/commercial issues

Essential

Coordinating interfaces and dependencies between concurrent programmes (e.g., FM ↔ NGI)

Essential

Infrastructure/campus projects within research parks or higher-education settings

Desirable

Developing SAMP inputs and business cases with engineering leads and operational stakeholders; presenting through governance

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Collaborative, approachable and decisive; able to operate autonomously while remaining transparent to the wider team

Essential

Skilled in negotiation, conflict resolution and change leadership; comfortable with ambiguity and fast-moving priorities

Essential

Challenges preconceptions constructively; evidence-based decision-making

Essential

Highly organised with excellent prioritisation across multiple workstreams; maintains audit-ready records

Essential

Consistent attention to detail and high-quality document production

Essential

Improvement-focused; champions equality, diversity and inclusion

Essential

Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Clear, concise communicator with strong report writing and Board-level presentation skills

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Facilities

Living in Norfolk

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FM Project Lead

Are you an experienced project professional looking to lead complex facilities and infrastructure projects within a world-class scientific environment? The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) is seeking a motivated and experienced FM Project Lead to join the Facilities Department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The role:

The FM Project Lead will be responsible for delivering a diverse portfolio of capital and infrastructure projects across the Norwich Research Park, supporting internationally recognised bioscience research institutes including JIC, EI, TSL and QIB.

Working within the Facilities team, you will lead projects through their full lifecycle, from feasibility studies and business case development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and operational handover.

Key responsibilities include:
• Leading multiple projects ranging from minor works programmes to major capital developments, ensuring delivery to scope, budget, quality and programme requirements.
• Developing business cases, project plans and asset investment proposals that support organisational objectives, sustainability and operational resilience.
• Managing procurement activities, consultant and contractor appointments, and contract performance in accordance with public sector procurement requirements.
• Coordinating project interfaces, commissioning activities and operational handovers to ensure minimal disruption to live research environments.
• Working closely with scientific stakeholders, engineers, consultants and operational teams to deliver facilities that support cutting-edge research and innovation.
• Managing project budgets, risks, compliance activities and health and safety requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will hold a degree in construction, engineering, building services or project management, or be able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience. They will also hold a recognised project management qualification, such as APM PMQ or PRINCE2 Practitioner, together with an IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH Certificate.

You will have significant experience delivering construction, engineering or infrastructure projects from inception through to completion, ideally within research, healthcare, higher education or similarly complex operational environments. Experience of managing procurement, contracts, project budgets and multidisciplinary teams is essential, alongside excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of a world-class research estate, delivering projects that support pioneering scientific research while working within a collaborative and forward-thinking Facilities team. The role also offers excellent opportunities for professional development and career growth within one of the UK's leading science and innovation campuses.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £58,860 to £72,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post on an indefinite basis.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 23 September 2026.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.