Associate Project Manager

Media Entertainment; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A defence innovation company in Bristol seeks an Associate Project Manager to manage complex technology projects within the defence sector. The role involves supporting project delivery, managing risks, and maintaining communication with stakeholders. Required qualifications include 3+ years of project management experience and an engineering background. This position offers hybrid working, competitive salary, and excellent benefits, contributing to the future of UK defence innovation.

Benefits

12.5% employer pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Annual salary reviews

Hybrid working

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience as a project manager managing engineering or technical projects.
• Defence or manufacturing industry experience.
• Willingness to undergo government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery control scope, schedule, cost and risk.
• Plan and convert technical statements of work into schedules.
• Support structured reviews and provide progress reports.

Skills

Project Management

Engineering background

Communication skills

Risk management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Engineering degree or related field

Job description

Associate Project Manager (Defence)

NCC
Brisk: Bristol-based with Hybrid working (2-3 days on site)

Salary: £46,355 to £52,155 per annum plus 12.5% employer pension & private medical insurance.

Security Clearance Required: You will be required to undertake government security clearance if successful securing this role.

Advert end date: 10th March – we reserve the right to withdraw the advert early if required.

Summary

As demand grows, we are expanding our Defence team to focus to include another Project Manager supporting technology innovation within the defence industry. You’ll support the management of complex innovation projects to delivery on time, on cost and on vision. If you enjoy steering engineering & technology programmes, influencing stakeholders, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of UK defence innovation.

NCC is accelerating the adoption of advanced materials, digital engineering and process innovation. Located at the heart of the UK’s largest defence cluster, we work with MOD, prime contractors and SMEs to turn cutting‑edge research into deployable capability at pace.

Reporting to the Technology Programme Manager Defence, you’ll support a range of small to medium sized projects, with varying complexity, focused on Engineering Technology (not IT) innovation within Aerospace, Submarine and other defence applications.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery control scope, schedule, cost and risk across the full six‑phase lifecycle from initiation to closure using NCC’s project management framework.
• Plan and convert technical statements of work into credible resource‑loaded schedules, align internal specialists and external partners, and maintain live plans for both active and pipeline projects.
• Support internal & external customers run structured reviews, provide transparent progress reports and build long‑term relationships based on delivery excellence.
• Cost management
• Resource management
• Risk & issue management
• Governance & reporting

Skills & Experience Required

• 3+ years experience as a Project Manager over your career, ideally managing engineering or technical projects
• Defence or Manufacturing industry background
• Ability and willingness to undergo government security clearance
• Engineering background in some shape or form, perhaps you are an Engineering graduate or perhaps you have run Engineering / Technology (not IT) projects in the past
• Good communication & interpersonal skills.

What We Do

We help manufacturers take on bigger challenges – whether that’s building cleaner aircraft, scaling up offshore wind, or strengthening the UK’s supply chains. We’re here to deliver practical outcomes, not prototypes that sit on shelves.

Who We Work With

We work across 16 sectors, from defence and energy to infrastructure and space. Some projects are with global tier 1s, others with small UK firms solving one specific problem – the work is always varied and always real.

What It’s Like Here

We’re not a startup. We’re not a corporate. We’re a national centre with the kit, time and people to do the job properly. The teams are focused, the thinking is sharp, and you’ll be trusted to get on with it.

Why this job matters

This role isn’t just internal support – it’s part of how we deliver nationally important work. If we do our job right, the UK’s manufacturers can do theirs better.

What do we offer in return?

Hybrid and flexible working patterns as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.