Defence Project Manager

First Recruitment Group; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

First Recruitment Group is seeking a Project Manager to lead complex defence programmes on a contract basis in Bristol with hybrid working. You will manage full lifecycle delivery, governance, and stakeholder engagement to ensure time, cost, and quality objectives are met.

The role requires experience in regulated environments, strong leadership, risk and dependency management, and the ability to operate with autonomy across multidisciplinary teams. UK security clearance eligibility is desirable.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to deliver complex defence projects on time, within budget and to required quality.
• Strong governance, risk, and dependency management in regulated environments.
• Experience building and maintaining stakeholder relationships across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of P3M methodologies and associated tools and approaches.
• Eligible and willing to obtain UK Security Clearance and meet residency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Deliver projects in accordance with policies, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Support development, review and assurance of business cases and documentation.
• Manage timely and cost-effective delivery of projects within constraints.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, reporting, and metrics.
• Monitor progress and implement controls to ensure delivery success.
• Identify and manage risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies.
• Apply appropriate delivery strategies and commercial approaches.
• Coordinate support from technical, engineering, commercial, financial, and project controls functions.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, records and audit trails.
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to colleagues.

Skills

Project management

Defence sector experience

Stakeholder management

P3M know-how

Risk management

Leadership

Mentoring

Clearance eligibility

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

APM PFQ/PMQ (desirable)

Tools

PRINCE2 Practitioner

MSP Practitioner

Agile Practitioner

Job description

Take the lead on delivering complex defence projects that help shape critical national capabilities.

Our Client has a requirement for a Project Manager, who will be required to work on a contract basis in Bristol/Hybrid.

Role Purpose:

• Support the successful delivery of complex programmes and projects within a highly regulated environment.
• Provide project management expertise throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Ensure projects are delivered in line with agreed objectives, governance requirements, and organisational standards.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Manage competing priorities while operating with a high degree of autonomy.

Job Role Responsibilities:

• Deliver projects in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Support the development, review, and assurance of business cases and supporting documentation.
• Manage the timely and cost-effective delivery of projects, ensuring objectives are achieved within agreed constraints.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, reporting mechanisms, and performance metrics.
• Monitor project progress and implement appropriate controls to ensure successful delivery.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies.
• Implement remedial and mitigation actions where required, ensuring compliance with relevant safety, environmental, and management standards.
• Support the selection and application of appropriate project delivery strategies and commercial approaches.
• Coordinate support from technical, engineering, commercial, financial, and project controls functions.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, records, and audit trails.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and support to colleagues where appropriate.

Experience / Skills / Knowledge / Qualifications:

• Proven track record of successfully delivering projects within the defence sector.
• Strong project management experience, with the ability to deliver against time, cost, and quality objectives.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement within a complex stakeholder environment.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships.
• Strong understanding of P3M (Portfolio, Programme and Project Management) methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Excellent risk, issue, and dependency management skills.
• Strong communication, leadership, and influencing skills.
• Experience coaching and mentoring colleagues.
• Eligible and willing to obtain UK Security Clearance, including meeting residency requirements.
• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (desirable).
• APM PFQ or PMQ qualification (desirable).
• PRINCE2 Practitioner and/or Agile Practitioner certification (desirable).
• MSP Practitioner qualification (desirable).
• Knowledge of the UK Defence sector and experience working within regulated environments.