Senior Project Manager

Jobs4IT; Eigenbrakel; On-site; EUR 101,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive freelance remuneration

Aerospace & Defence industry exposure

Job summary

UpcoMinds is seeking an experienced IT Project Manager to support planning, coordination, and delivery of complex IT/CIS projects within a NATO context. The role requires delivering within scope, schedule, budget, and quality while coordinating with international stakeholders.

The ideal candidate has strong project management expertise in IT infrastructure, telecommunications, and C4ISR systems, with excellence in leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement. NATO familiarity is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and at least three years of post-related professional experience, or 10 years of extensive experience in accordance with NCI Agency requirements.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner or PMP certification or demonstrable equivalent project management expertise.
• Three+ years of recent project management experience within a large IT organization.
• Experience in planning, design, systems engineering and implementation for C4ISR communications.
• Knowledge of Deployable CIS, network design and switched multimedia networks.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and manage assigned projects per NATO regulations and NCI Agency policies.
• Develop business cases, procurement strategies, cost-benefit analyses and statements of work.
• Coordinate project management activities to ensure delivery within scope, time, cost and quality tolerances.
• Analyse client requirements and identify solutions to project challenges.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc progress reports for management and stakeholders.
• Identify resources, allocate milestones, and initiate corrective actions as needed.
• Define and monitor KPIs, report deviations, and implement corrective measures.
• Proactively manage risks and issues, maintain risk registers and mitigation plans.
• Monitor cash flow and participate in financial forecasting and reporting.
• Lead and coordinate project teams, chair meetings, and ensure timely stakeholder communication.
• Review and maintain project artefacts to meet standards and quality.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

IT infrastructure

C4ISR

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

ServiceNow (SNOW)

Job description

Work Model: On-site
Security Clearance: NATO Security Clearance Required

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced IT Project Manager to support the planning, coordination, and delivery of complex IT and Communication and Information Systems (CIS) projects within the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency).

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing projects throughout their lifecycle, ensuring delivery within agreed scope, schedule, budget, and quality requirements. The role involves close collaboration with project teams, customers, sponsors, and internal and external stakeholders in an international, multidisciplinary environment.

The ideal candidate will combine strong project management expertise with a solid understanding of IT infrastructure, telecommunications, and C4ISR systems, alongside excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and manage assigned projects in accordance with NATO regulations and NCI Agency project management policies and procedures.
• Develop business cases, including procurement strategies, cost-benefit analyses, risk assessments, project proposals, and Statements of Work (SoW).
• Perform project management, coordination, and quality assurance activities to ensure successful delivery of capabilities and services.
• Analyse client requirements, collect and evaluate relevant data, and identify appropriate solutions to project-related challenges.
• Ensure projects are delivered within agreed scope, time, cost, and quality tolerances.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc project progress reports for management and relevant stakeholders.
• Identify, plan, and allocate resources to meet project milestones, initiating corrective actions where necessary.
• Define, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), addressing performance deviations and implementing corrective measures.
• Proactively manage project risks and issues, maintain accurate risk and issue registers, and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Monitor project cash flow and contribute to financial planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Support annual and multi-year business planning through accurate project planning and financial forecasting.
• Lead and coordinate project teams, including direct supervision and matrix-based team management.
• Chair project meetings and conferences involving team members, customers, sponsors, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain realistic project plans and ensure consistent, accurate, and timely stakeholder communication.
• Review and maintain project documentation and artefacts to ensure accuracy, quality, completeness, and compliance with applicable standards.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from a nationally recognised or certified university in a relevant discipline, combined with at least three years of post-related professional experience.
• Alternatively, candidates without a university degree may be considered if they demonstrate at least 10 years of extensive and progressive relevant professional experience, in accordance with the applicable NCI Agency requirements.
• A recognised project management qualification, such as PRINCE2 Practitioner or Project Management Professional (PMP), is required or may be substituted by demonstrated relevant expertise and experience, where permitted.
• At least three years of recent, substantial project management experience within a large-scale IT organisation.
• Experience in the planning, design, systems engineering, and implementation of communications aspects of C4ISR systems.
• Knowledge of modern technologies relevant to Deployable Communication and Information Systems (CIS), network design, and switched multimedia networks.
• Familiarity with applicable international, commercial, and industry standards.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, using tact and diplomacy.
• Strong presentation, briefing, reporting, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent organisational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, complex project dependencies, resources, budgets, and deadlines.

Desirable Experience & Certifications

• Proven experience managing or leading project teams in C4ISR acquisition projects.
• ITIL Foundation certification.
• An engineering background and experience in technical leadership.
• Experience with project management and workflow automation tools, particularly ServiceNow (SNOW).
• Familiarity with collaboration platforms and project management tools.
• Knowledge of NATO or national government acquisition policies and procurement procedures.
• Previous experience working in an international environment involving both military and civilian personnel.
• Knowledge of NATO’s responsibilities, organisational structure, and the roles of Allied Command Operations (ACO) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT).

What We Offer

• Competitive Remuneration package for freelancers according to experience./ 550-560€/daily rate for B2B contract

• A key role within an established company operating in the Aerospace & Defence industry.

• The opportunity to work on complex enterprise transformation and technology projects.

• A collaborative and technically challenging environment with exposure to business-critical systems and processes.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development within a specialised technology environment.

UpcoMinds is a dynamic IT company with 28 years of experience that provides end-to-end web and mobile solutions helping businesses to reinvent themselves in the digital world. Our team’s skills and expertise will ensure the holistic digital transformation of any organization, which will considerably improve both business operations and customer’s experience.

Our goal is to always have our end products and services reflect our deep engineering skills and elegant progressive design aesthetic. We fundamentally believe deeply in developing long term strategic partnerships with our clients by exceeding expectations and maintaining a high level of transparency.

Find out more about us at www.upcominds.com

We commit to promote Inclusion & Diversity by creating a working environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect and where individual differences are valued. We offer equal opportunity in all aspects of employment.