Area Projects Lead

Vivo Defence; Lyneham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivo Defence is seeking an Area Projects Lead to own project delivery across a Service Delivery Area and lead a team responsible for delivering the annual Billable Works programme and non-programmed projects.

You'll be the focal point for project delivery within your area, working with DIO Project Delivery Managers, TLBs, Heads of Establishment, operational teams and the supply chain to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to MOD standards across the Defence estate.

Qualifications

• Relevant HNC or equivalent in Building/Civil Eng, Electrical or Mechanical disciplines.
• PRINCE2 or APM project management qualification required.
• IOSH or equivalent health and safety qualification preferred.
• Full UK driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Project Managers across multiple Wiltshire sites.
• Deliver annual Billable Works and non-programmed projects within budget.
• Ensure safety, governance, and regulatory compliance across programmes.
• Provide escalation and reporting to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Commercial & risk management

Education

HNC or equivalent (Building/Civil Eng / Electrical/Mechanical)

PRINCE2 or APM

IOSH or equivalent

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Are you an experienced project professional who can bring together people, customers, commercial performance and project delivery to make a real difference across the Defence estate? VIVO Defence is looking for an Area Projects Lead to take ownership of project delivery across a Service Delivery Area and lead a team responsible for delivering both the annual Billable Works programme and non-programmed projects.

This is a high-profile role where you'll be the focal point for project delivery within your area, working closely with DIO Project Delivery Managers, TLBs, Heads of Establishment, operational teams and the supply chain to make sure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the standards expected across the Defence estate.

You'll establish and lead a team of Project Managers, creating the structure, processes and culture needed to deliver a successful project programme. You'll provide direction and support, develop your people through mentoring and coaching, and ensure the team has the skills, resources and capability required to deliver an evolving programme of work.

You'll take responsibility for the delivery of Billable Works projects valued at £25k and above, ensuring they progress from initial requirement through procurement and construction to successful handover. You'll make sure every project has a robust brief, specification, procurement plan and tender documentation, while ensuring programmes, milestones and stakeholder expectations are actively managed.

Working with DIO and other key stakeholders, you'll use asset condition information and operational priorities to help shape future‑year Billable Works programmes. You'll also ensure Statements of Need are developed where required, helping translate the needs of the Defence estate into deliverable projects that support operational outputs.

Safety will be fundamental to your approach. You'll set a Safety First culture across your team and supply chain, ensuring projects comply with statutory requirements, MOD Mandatory requirements, JSP standards, CDM, Control of Asbestos Regulations and VIVO policies. You'll work closely with the Regional Project Lead and SW Project Compliance Officer to strengthen governance and ensure projects are delivered safely and profitably.

You'll also have a strong commercial focus. You'll manage the SDA budget and P&L, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and economically while protecting margins and supporting timely cash collection. You'll monitor supply chain performance, maintain commercial control over milestones and payments, manage risks and provide regular updates on programme performance.

As a senior stakeholder within the area, you'll build strong and collaborative relationships across VIVO and externally. You'll provide clear progress reporting, act as an escalation point for supply chain queries and help resolve issues and complaints quickly and professionally. You'll understand the operational priorities of each establishment and ensure project delivery supports the needs of the end user and wider Defence mission.

Sustainability will also be an important part of your role. You'll identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions during construction and across the lifecycle of assets, using JSP 850 to help support more sustainable solutions across the estate.

This is an opportunity to have a genuine influence on how VIVO delivers projects. You'll help implement consistent approaches, improve processes, share best practice and ensure the customer‑first culture is visible throughout your team and supply chain.

This role will require you to work from either Lyneham or Trenchard Lines at least 2 days per week in addition to site visits across the Wiltshire area (9 sites in total).

You'll be an experienced project or construction professional with a strong understanding of delivering multiple projects within a complex operational environment. You'll have the confidence to lead Project Managers, manage competing priorities and take ownership for the performance of your area.

You'll ideally hold an HNC or equivalent qualification in Building/Civil Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, together with a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or APM. IOSH or an equivalent qualification and a full UK driving licence are also required.

Experience within an MOD or Defence environment would be highly advantageous, as would knowledge of MOD IT applications and experience working across a multi‑site estate. NEBOSH, SMSTS, Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or membership of a relevant professional body would also be beneficial.

You'll be commercially aware and comfortable managing budgets, P&L, supply chain performance, risk and programme milestones. You'll know when to challenge, when to escape and when to give your team the freedom to find their own solutions.

As a leader, you'll be approachable and collaborative. You'll trust your people, give them responsibility and coach them to succeed, rather than simply directing them. You'll create an environment where people feel supported, accountable and able to develop their careers.

You'll be proactive, organised and comfortable working in a changing environment. You'll take ownership for your area, continually look for ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and understand how your work contributes to VIVO's wider objectives.

Above all, you'll be someone who can bring people together around a common goal and deliver results. If you're ready to lead a project programme that directly supports the operational needs of the UK Defence estate, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

What we do

We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.