Job Summary: Senior Project Controller (Manchester Airport)

MAG (Manchester Airports Group) is looking for a Senior Project Controller to act as the subject matter expert for project controls at the UK’s largest airport outside of London. This is a high-level technical and commercial role where you will be responsible for the “golden thread” of project data—from initial budgeting and scheduling to real-time forecasting and performance reporting.

You will lead a team to ensure that complex infrastructure projects at Manchester Airport are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with tight regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Systems Mastery

Primavera P6 Specialist: Act as the internal expert for Primavera P6 EPPM, managing enterprise-level schedules and providing bespoke progress reports.
Financial Integration: Utilize Oracle/SAP Financial applications to create and maintain project budget data, ensuring “actuals” align with forecasts.
Data Aggregation: Roll up individual project outputs into comprehensive programme-level plans and reports for senior stakeholders.

2. Project Performance & Analysis

Forecasting: Accountable for the accuracy of project budget data, including lifecycle costs and schedule milestones.
Progress Analysis: Analyze reported progress against work schedules to identify variances and produce performance reports.
Team Leadership: Manage a team of project controllers, ensuring consistent methodology across the MAG capital delivery portfolio.

3. Stakeholder & Regulatory Management

Complex Delivery: Manage multi-stakeholder programmes of work, ensuring all projects meet strict aviation and construction regulatory deadlines.
Commercial Oversight: Apply a Quantity Surveying (QS) mindset to manage project costs and commercial risks effectively.

Role Details & Benefits

Location: Manchester Airport (Hybrid / Flexible working).
Type: Permanent, Full-time.
Pension: 10% company contribution.
Bonus: Participation in the MAG bonus scheme.
Perks: Free onsite parking, subsidised public transport, 25 days holiday, and 24/7 Virtual GP access.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Experience:

Background: Minimum 5 years in a similar operational environment (e.g., Construction, Infrastructure, or Aviation).
Software: Advanced proficiency in Oracle Primavera P6 EPPM and SAP.
Qualifications: Membership of RICS (or equivalent) or at an advanced stage of completion (APC date planned).
Expertise: Experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder projects to tight deadlines.

Desirable:

Certifications: Prince 2 Practitioner or Project Management foundation (ICE, IMechE, IEE).
Admin Level: Primavera P6 user capability to an administrator level.

Project Controls: The Integrated Lifecycle

In a major airport environment, project control is the discipline of keeping “Time, Cost, and Scope” in perfect alignment.

Diversity & Representation at MAG

MAG is a “Disability Confident” employer and hosts several Colleague Communities, including Embrace (Race & Ethnicity) and Mind Matters. For candidates interested in the diversity of the UK’s infrastructure and construction workforce, here is the current landscape:

Diversity in UK Construction & Infrastructure (2024/25 Estimates):

Gender: Women make up approximately 15.8% of the overall construction workforce, though representation in professional roles (like Project Controls) is higher at ~20-25%.
Ethnicity: Approximately 6-7% of the workforce identifies as being from a minority ethnic background, though MAG’s “Embrace” network actively works to exceed these industry averages within their airport hubs.
Neurodiversity: An estimated 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent; MAG’s RespectABILITY group provides specific support for these colleagues.

Why this Role is Critical for MAG

Manchester Airport is currently undergoing a multi-billion pound transformation (MAN-TP). As a Senior Project Controller, you are the “navigator” for these investments.

Regulatory Deadlines: Airports operate under strict CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) frameworks; missing a deadline isn’t just a delay, it’s a regulatory failure.
Data-Driven Decisions: Your reports in Primavera P6 and SAP are what the Board uses to make multi-million pound decisions.

Application Tip: Quantify Your “Controls”

When applying for a Senior role at MAG, avoid generic descriptions of your duties:

Scale and Value: Mention the Total Contract Value (TCV) of the largest programme you have controlled. Did you manage a £50m portfolio or a £1bn masterplan?
Software Specifics: Don’t just say you “use” P6. Mention if you have set up EPS/OBS structures, managed global calendars, or performed S-Curve analysis for stakeholders.

The “So What?”: Describe a time your forecasting identified a budget overrun before it happened, allowing the project manager to take corrective action.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is the UK’s largest airport operator, serving as a critical engine for the country’s connectivity and economic growth. Headquartered in Manchester, the group is a unique public-private partnership, majority-owned by the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester alongside the global infrastructure investment fund IFM Investors. In early 2026, MAG reported record-breaking performance, serving over 66 million passengers annually across its portfolio.

The MAG Portfolio

MAG owns and operates three major UK airports and a global digital travel services business:

Manchester Airport (MAN): The global gateway to the North of England. It is currently nearing the completion of its decade-long, £1.3 billion transformation programme, which has fully modernized Terminal 2 into a world-class facility.
London Stansted (STN): The UK’s leading airport for European short-haul travel. In 2026, it continues to expand its long-haul reach, including new 14-weekly flight services to Istanbul.
East Midlands Airport (EMA): The UK’s primary hub for pure freight and express air cargo, supporting over 20,000 regional jobs and handling over 400,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
CAVU: MAG’s digital wing, which provides e-commerce, lounge, and parking solutions to over 300 airports worldwide, from Edinburgh to Brisbane.

Key Organization Highlights

Feature	Details
Ownership	Manchester City Council (35.5%), IFM Investors (35.5%), 9 GM Councils (29%)
Economic Impact	Contributes over £8 billion annually to the UK economy
Workforce	~7,000 direct employees; supports 40,000+ supply chain jobs
Sustainability	Target to be Net Zero by 2038 (12 years ahead of UK target)
2026 Milestone	Record January with 4.1m passengers across the group

Sustainability: “Creating a Sustainable Future for All”

MAG is recognized as a global leader in aviation decarbonization. Their 2025–2030 strategy focuses on two core pillars:

Protecting Our Environment: Halving carbon emissions by 2030 and transitioning to 100% renewable energy directly connected to their airports by 2035. They are also working to eliminate single-use plastics from all retail operations by 2027.
Community at Our Core: A bold commitment to support 70,000 young people through education and skills programmes by 2030, ensuring the benefits of airport growth are shared locally.

Working at MAG

MAG is known for its high-performance culture and “Benefits Me” rewards scheme. The environment is fast-paced, mission-driven, and focused on safety and customer excellence.

Rewards & Perks: Competitive pension with additional company contributions, life cover, and significant discounts on airport parking and Escape/1903 Lounges.
Commuting: Unique travel perks including free staff parking, cycle-to-work schemes, and significant discounts on the Manchester Metrolink and regional rail/bus services.
Volunteering: Employees receive 2 paid days per year to volunteer for local community projects or schools.
Early Talent: Robust graduate and apprenticeship pathways in Capital Delivery, Data Science, and Airport Operations, with many senior leaders having started their careers through these schemes.

Major Projects (2026)

MAN-TP Final Phase: The final £440 million investment in Manchester’s Terminal 2 is completing in 2026, introducing next-generation security scanners that eliminate the need to remove liquids and electronics from bags.
Stansted Expansion: Implementing plans to increase capacity to 43 million passengers per annum through optimized use of the existing runway.
EMA Gateway: Progressing the “East Midlands Gateway” logistics park to meet the surging demand for global e-commerce and express freight.

To apply for this job please visit careers.magairports.com.