DD%26I Investment Project Control Lead

BAE Systems - Saudi Arabia; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking an Investment Project Control Lead to shape and lead investment governance. This role involves overseeing portfolio performance, ensuring financial backing for priority initiatives, and developing high-performing teams. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, proven experience in investment portfolio management, and excellent communication abilities. Competitive salary and flexible working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience in financial analysis and budgeting.
• Ability to present complex financial information clearly.
• Mentoring and driving team performance.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead investment governance.
• Drive investment planning and funding.
• Oversee portfolio performance and risk.
• Engage and influence stakeholders.
• Champion efficiency and innovation.

Skills

Analytical and financial acumen

Investment portfolio management

Leadership and team development

Communication and stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or Engineering

Professional certifications such as APMP, PRINCE2, CFA, ACCA, or CIMA

Job description

Overview

Job title: Data, Digital & Infrastructure – Investment Project Control Lead

Location: Warton/Samlesbury - We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £61,110 + (Depending on Skills and Experience)

What you’ll be doing

• Shape and lead investment governance – Establish and maintain a robust governance framework, with clear policies, procedures, and long-term investment planning (10-year strategy and 5-year portfolio) aligned to organisational objectives

• Drive investment planning and funding – Critically assess proposals for value and ROI, develop compelling business cases with technical teams, and secure approvals to ensure financial backing for priority initiatives

• Oversee portfolio performance and risk – Monitor budgets, KPIs, and benefit delivery, proactively addressing variances and mitigating financial or operational risks to safeguard investment integrity and value for money

• Engage and influence stakeholders – Build strong cross-functional relationships, navigate approvals, and communicate investment performance, risks, and opportunities effectively to senior leaders and decision-makers

• Champion efficiency and innovation – Enhance investment control processes through continuous improvement and technology adoption, ensuring streamlined, effective, and forward-looking investment management practices

• Develop and lead high-performing teams – Mentor and upskill colleagues in investment analysis and project control, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning while recognising achievements

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• Analytical and financial acumen with the ability to assess data, evaluate proposals, and identify trends

• Proven experience in investment portfolio management, project control, budgeting, financial analysis, and stakeholder collaboration

• Demonstrated leadership and team development skills, with experience mentoring and driving team performance

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly

Desirable:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or Engineering or Professional certifications such as APMP, PRINCE2, CFA, ACCA, or CIMA

• Experience within infrastructure, IM&T, or complex project control environments

• Knowledge of risk management, benefit realisation, and process improvement best practices

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Project Control Office Team

Join our Project Control Office Team, the hub of investment governance within the DD&I department. The team plays a pivotal role in shaping and managing the investment portfolio, combining financial expertise with strategic insight to evaluate proposals, secure funding, and oversee performance. By embedding robust governance frameworks and ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, the team drives value, strengthens return on investment, and supports long-term growth. Working across strategy and hands-on project control, this is a team where every decision makes a real impact.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 3 October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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