Rebecca Hopwood
Castleford,West Yorkshire
Summary
Experienced project management professional with a strong track record of managing complex infrastructure projects and Designated Funds investment within National Highways and the wider transport sector. Currently an Assistant Project Manager, having successfully completed a six-month Project Manager secondment and continuing to undertake key PM responsibilities.
Experienced in managing multi-million-pound Designated Funds projects, with strong knowledge of programme controls, governance, performance reporting, financial and risk management, change control and business case development. Confident in stakeholder management and presenting through IDC governance to support informed decision-making. A collaborative and delivery-focused leader with line management, coaching and mentoring experience, committed to delivering value for money and achieving tangible benefits for customers and communities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Project Manager – Secondment
National Highways
2024.09 - 2025.03
- Led day-to-day project delivery by coordinating internal teams, contractors, designers, stakeholders.
- Managed project governance controls: plans, risk registers, forecasts, change control documents.
- Monitored programme performance using financial, risk, and commercial corrective action tracking.
- Delivered financial management by monitoring budgets and protecting forecast accuracy.
- Managed project risks and issues by coordinating mitigation and escalating key matters.
- Led change control by drafting investment papers for IDC approval processes.
- Chaired project and supplier meetings, setting direction and tracking agreed actions.
- Reported performance regularly to senior managers and governance forums for decisions.
- Managed stakeholder relationships across National Highways and external organisations nationally.
- Handled commercial and procurement duties: negotiations, quotations, contract changes, additional works.
- Supported colleagues through line management, coaching, and mentoring graduates and apprentices.
- Managed Spurn Lightship £1.2m designated funds and project delivery oversight.
- Managed Hull Regeneration £4m designated funds and project delivery oversight.
- Built business case for South Blockhouse designated funds for approvals.
- Delivered Hull Wellbeing Hub social value through programme delivery leadership.
Assistant Project Manager
National Highways
2022.10 - 2026.09
- Supported the delivery of complex, high-risk capital projects through Open for Traffic and handover, identifying defects, developing plans for rectification and driving activities forward to meet key milestones.
- Manage project controls including the programme, forecast, budget and risk, alongside maintaining key project documentation including the Business Case, Project Management Plan, Stage Management Plan and Risk Register.
- Present monthly financial and project performance information at Project Performance Reviews (PPR) and Project Committee, challenging supplier forecasts and providing clear updates on project progress, risks and issues.
- Manage project governance and change control, raising change requests and presenting at Investment Decision Committee (IDC) for approval, including developing a submission for approximately £1m additional funding for defect rectification works.
- Manage relationships with Local Authorities, contractors, designers and internal stakeholders, chairing meetings and coordinating activities to resolve issues and support successful project delivery and handover.
- Manage commercial and contractual activities, including issuing Project Manager Instructions through CEMAR, reviewing quotations, managing compensation events and final accounts, and working with commercial and legal teams to resolve complex claims and disputes.
- Lead procurement activities for additional works, including supporting the development of NEC4 contracts and identifying alternative procurement routes to achieve value for money and maintain programme commitments.
- Coordinate suppliers to resolve complex health, safety and technical defects, ensuring works are delivered in accordance with CDM requirements, DMRB and relevant standards.
- Lead customer and stakeholder engagement, developing communication plans and maintaining strong relationships with Local Authorities and the Operations Directorate throughout project delivery and handover.
- Line manage a Graduate and mentor apprentices and new starters, holding regular development meetings and providing coaching to support performance, professional development and understanding of National Highways processes.
Project Manager
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
2021.12 - 2022.10
- Accountable for the £14b budget and spend profile for the Mass Transit scheme. I managed and maintained the budget by holding commercial calls with suppliers to discuss the forecast against actuals. Certified Applications for Payment and ensured work done to date was priced accurately.
- Creation of the Mass Transit programme, which planned out 5 years of work. This was made up of 11 workstreams, which I identified were necessary to ensure successful delivery. The immediate programme of works included mapping out each phase of consultation to ensure we promoted Mass Transit in line with the public vision. It also included land value capture and business case justification. The programme helped to plan and define the project schedules and was consistent with defined milestones and priorities, which contributed to the overall project plan.
- Produced high-quality baseline management products, including a project risk register, and created timely and accurate reports to reflect overall project delivery.
- Managed the early stages of developing a design for Mass Transit with the supplier Jacobs, carrying out RIBA 2 and 3 assessments to inform the Strategic Outline Business Case, Mass Transit route choices, and modes of transport.
- Responsible for the overall delivery of the Mass Transit scheme, including day-to-day support on project activities such as contract, risk, and financial management under an NEC3 Option E contract.
- Created a contract management handbook for suppliers and managed the contract efficiently, holding monthly commercial meetings to ensure programme alignment.
- Oversaw the Risk and Issue management for the project, ensuring successful delivery within timescale and budget.
- Formed a Mass Transit Directorate that consisted of a number of posts supported by three heads of service and produced an Organisation Design Business Case which I presented at Transport Committee for approval.
- Recruited a full project team made up of project controls, consultants, and core team members, creating a RACI to outline roles and responsibilities.
Project Support
National Highways
2018.10 - 2021.12
- Managed workloads across multiple projects, demonstrating flexibility and the ability to meet deadlines under high pressure.
- Worked on various projects including A1(M) M18 – M62, Open for Traffic Schemes, and A1 Scotswood to Brunton, providing support in contract compliance, health & safety, financial management, and administrative reporting.
- Led on communications activities, managing customer correspondence, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring quality and adherence to deadlines.
- Facilitated meetings and administrative duties, managed a PCF tracker, and ran monthly risk reviews with suppliers.
- Managed project budgets and financial processes, mitigating project overspend and ensuring adherence to financial procedures.
Education
Level 3 Qualification - Travel and Tourism
Leeds City College
2012.01 - 2014.01
High School -
Kings High School
Pontefract 2007.01 - 2012.01
Skills
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Contract Negotiation
- Governance and Assurance
- Budget Oversight
- Risk Assessment
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Procurement Strategies
- Team Leadership
- Line Management and People Development
References
Available upon request. Details of prior employment from 2012 to 2018 have been excluded from the CV for relevance but can be provided if needed. Positions held include Account Manager, Legal Advisor, and Sales Executive.
Timeline
Project Manager – Secondment
National Highways
2024.09 - 2025.03
Assistant Project Manager
National Highways
2022.10 - 2026.09
Project Manager
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
2021.12 - 2022.10
Project Support
National Highways
2018.10 - 2021.12
Level 3 Qualification - Travel and Tourism
Leeds City College
2012.01 - 2014.01
High School -
Kings High School
2007.01 - 2012.01