Contract Project Manager

Fortress Recruit Limited; Poole; On-site; GBP 92,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

Fortress Recruit Limited is seeking a Contract Project Manager (Outside IR35) for a 6-month assignment in Poole, delivering complex, technically regulated projects from late development through qualification to production. You will own the full lifecycle, maintain schedules, manage costs and communicate with stakeholders in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment.

The role requires 5+ years’ PM experience in a defence/tech setting, strong change management and configuration control, and a

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ project management experience within a technical or engineering defence environment.
• Experience delivering complex new product development or bespoke manufacturing projects through the full design lifecycle.
• Strong capability in change management and configuration control.
• Commercial awareness and confidence managing customer-facing delivery.
• Driven, autonomous approach with strong analytical skills and an inquisitive mindset.
• Comfortable making informed decisions in a fast-moving environment and taking full ownership of outcomes.
• APM PMQ or PRINCE2 Practitioner.
• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Leading the planning, execution and closure of assigned projects as part of a specific project of works.
• Taking full ownership of scope, change management and change control in response to evolving customer requirements
• Managing strict, non-negotiable delivery deadlines and driving rapid response to emerging issues
• Acting as the primary customer contact, managing expectations and maintaining strong working relationships
• Planning, monitoring and controlling project costs, including revenue and cost forecasting
• Preparing regular budget, schedule and milestone reports for internal and external stakeholders

Skills

Project management

Change management

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Autonomous working

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience

Job description

Fortress Recruit is now looking for a Contract Project Manager, Outside IR35 for a 6-month period on behalf of a well-established Defence manufacturing business based in Poole.

This is a key delivery role responsible for leading complex, new-development projects within a highly regulated environment. You’ll take ownership of the full project lifecycle - from late development stages through qualification and into production - ensuring delivery to fixed deadlines. This is not a traditional, process-only PM role; it requires a hands‑on, dynamic individual who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-driven setting.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the planning, execution and closure of assigned projects as part of a specific project of works.
• Taking full ownership of scope, change management and change control in response to evolving customer requirements
• Managing strict, non-negotiable delivery deadlines and driving rapid response to emerging issues
• Acting as the primary customer contact, managing expectations and maintaining strong working relationships
• Planning, monitoring and controlling project costs, including revenue and cost forecasting
• Preparing regular budget, schedule and milestone reports for internal and external stakeholders

To be considered for this role, you'll have:

• 5+ years’ project management experience within a technical or engineering defence environment
• Experience delivering complex new product development or bespoke manufacturing projects through the full design lifecycle
• Strong capability in change management and configuration control
• Commercial awareness and confidence managing customer-facing delivery
• A driven, autonomous approach with strong analytical skills and an inquisitive mindset
• Comfortable making informed decisions in a fast-moving environment and taking full ownership of outcomes
• APM PMQ or PRINCE2 Practitioner
• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience

This is a contract role, Outside IR35 for 6 months, based in Poole. Eligibility for SC Clearance is essential (5 years' UK residency without visa or sponsorship requirement).