Lead Project Manager

Leonardo UK Ltd; Hedge End; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company is seeking a Lead Project Manager to oversee multiple developments in their Detectors Business. This role will involve customer relationship management, strong team leadership, and accountability for financial performance, driving technology advancements and strategic program delivery.

Benefits

Generous leave including up to 12 additional flexi-days.

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

Access to mental health support and financial advice.

Bonus scheme for eligible employees.

Free access to online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Referral rewards program.

Flexible benefits spending up to £500 annually.

Hybrid working options available.

Qualifications

• Ability to influence and motivate large-scale project teams.
• Wide-ranging knowledge of the project lifecycle.
• Commercial awareness and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive multiple detector developments supporting GCAP.
• Manage customer relationships and financial performance.
• Lead teams and ensure alignment with business strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Customer Relationship Management

Financial Performance

Negotiation Skills

Problem Solving

Job description

Job Description:

Your Impact

The Detectors Business has requirement for new Lead Project Manager to cover multiple detector developments in support of GCAP through FCA, RATS & Leonardo SpA. The projects drive challenging technology advancements and timescales and will require strong team leadership and customer engagement. This role will eventually transition to coverage of future business growth/planning as well as delivery of individual Strategic programmes.

The Lead Project Manager will be responsible for customer relationship management and accountable for financial performance to the agreed business targets for the area. As part of the Detectors Management team, the Lead PM will also be expected to demonstrate exemplar values & high standards in all their work and be a role model within the business.

This is achieved by:

• Looking after customers and meeting commitments on all GCAP related business & projects.

• Understanding their customers’ requirements for current and future developments/projects.

• Evaluate customer’s future requirements and develop a balanced plan for future business aligned with the wider business strategy/roadmaps.

• Work with the wider detectors business to ensure a clear view of future resources, skills and investment are captured and planned for. (Supporting monthly S&OP process).

• Providing inputs to product roadmaps through exploitation of technology and products developed under GCAP projects

• Understanding the market in which their business area operates

• Input to annual business planning activities

• Working closely with Capability Teams to produce and action business/strategy plans for their business area

• Providing leadership to their IPTs

• Provide inputs to PDRs for members of their IPTs

• Working together to agree business & resourcing priorities

• Monthly review of project performance

• Monthly management reporting on progress against business plans within their business area

What you'll bring

• Demonstrates and possesses expertise to be called upon as a consultant for complex assignments.

• Ability to influence and motivate large-scale project/programme teams (direct/indirect management).

• Applies professional concepts in creative ways.

• Be capable of interacting with technical experts from a variety of disciplines and should be prepared to challenge and seek further justification where necessary.

• Facilitate problem solving and resolve conflicts within the team.

• Negotiate at all levels within the business as well as with customers and possess a strong sense of commercial awareness.

• Wide-ranging knowledge and experience of Leonardo project lifecycle.

• Be capable of leading bid activities forward in a clear, structured manner providing bid management direction and engagement with the bid team to meet customer requirements.

• Commercial and financial acumen and negotiation skills.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).

• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.

• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

• Refer a friend:Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location:

GB - Southampton

Contract Type:

Employee-Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid