Contract Project Manager

Fortress Recruit Limited; Upton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortress Recruit Limited is seeking a Contract Project Manager Outside IR35 for a 6-month assignment with a well-established defence manufacturing business in Poole. You will lead complex, new-development projects through the full design lifecycle, from late development to qualification and production, in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment.

This hands-on role requires strong change control, strict delivery deadlines, and ownership of budgets and milestones, with regular reports to

Qualifications

• 5+ years' project management experience in a defence/engineering environment.
• Experience delivering complex product development through full design lifecycle.
• Strong change management and configuration control.
• Commercial awareness with customer-facing delivery.
• Autonomous, analytical with proactive mindset.
• Eligibility for SC Clearance (5 years UK residency).

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution and closure of assigned projects.
• Own scope, change control in response to customer requirements.
• Manage delivery deadlines and rapid issue resolution.
• Act as primary customer contact and manage expectations.
• Plan, monitor and control project costs and forecasts.
• Prepare regular budget, schedule and milestone reports for stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Change management

Cost forecasting

Analytical skills

Autonomous working

Decision making

Education

PRINCE2 Practitioner

APM PMQ

Degree in relevant discipline

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 include:

• 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).