Senior Project Manager – London Cluster Attractions

📍 London (hybrid 3 days in London) | 🗓️ Permanent | 💼 Merlin Magic Making (MMM)

A job at Merlin isn’t like a job anywhere else. We don’t trade in suits, handshakes or briefcases. We trade in fun. In smiles, shrieks and spine-tingles. In memories. In magic.

Behind that magic is Merlin Magic Making (MMM) — our world-class creative and delivery team responsible for designing and building the next generation of immersive guest experiences across the globe.

Now, we’re looking for a Senior Project Manager to help bring that magic to life across our London Gateway attractions.

🎯 The Role

As a Senior Project Manager, you’ll lead the delivery of major capital projects (£1m+), owning the full lifecycle from early concept through to grand opening.

From attraction builds to complex refurbishments, you’ll work at the heart of creative, technical, and operational teams — ensuring every project is delivered safely, on time, on budget, and to world-class standards.

This is a high-impact role in a fast-paced, live environment where no two projects are the same.

🚀 What You’ll Be Doing

Project Leadership

• Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale capital projects across London attractions
• Manage full lifecycle: feasibility → design → procurement → construction → installation → handover
• Set clear project plans, governance, budgets, and timelines

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with creative, technical, operational, finance, and commercial teams
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, attraction leaders, and external partners
• Manage designers, consultants, contractors, and specialist suppliers

Commercial & Financial Management

• Own project budgets, forecasts, and reporting
• Drive procurement processes and supplier contract management
• Ensure strong cost control and risk mitigation throughout

Delivery in Live Environments

• Coordinate works within operational attractions, minimising guest disruption
• Lead installation, commissioning, and operational readiness
• Oversee testing, compliance, and seamless handover

Governance, Risk & Safety

• Identify and manage project risks and complex challenges
• Ensure compliance with H&S, regulatory, and Merlin governance standards
• Provide clear reporting and updates to senior leadership

🧠 About You

You’re a confident, autonomous project leader who thrives in complexity and brings structure to creative environments.

You’re equally comfortable managing stakeholders in a boardroom and walking a live construction site in a busy attraction.

✅ What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience delivering £1m+ capital projects
• Background in construction, themed entertainment, visitor attractions, retail, or experiential environments
• Strong project planning, risk management, and financial control skills
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and external partners
• Solid understanding of procurement and construction processes
• Ability to deliver projects within live operational environments

Desirable:

• Project management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, PMP)
• Experience with ride systems or technical installations
• Aquarium or aquatic project experience

🌍 Why Join Merlin?

• Work on globally recognised attractions and unforgettable experiences
• Be part of a creative, innovative, and collaborative team
• Deliver projects that are seen and enjoyed by millions of guests each year
• Help shape the future of entertainment through world-class experiences

🎬 Ready to Create Magic?

If you’re ready to lead complex, high-profile projects and bring ideas to life at scale — we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help us create experiences that leave a lasting impression.

We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 33 days’ holiday including bank holidays, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, an Enjoy the Ride pass which entitles you and 5 loved ones unlimited entry into your regional attractions, 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO, plus lots more!