Lead Project Manager

Leonardo SpA; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Defence company is seeking a Senior / Lead Project Manager in Luton. This role involves managing complex high value Export projects, focusing on stakeholder coordination and customer relationships. Successful candidates will have strong communication skills and experience in project management. The position offers a hybrid working environment and a comprehensive benefits package, making it a great opportunity for personal development and career progression.

Benefits

Generous leave with additional flexi-days

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Free mental health support and financial advice

Bonus scheme for all employees

Free access to online courses

Flexible hours and hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Strong people focus and ability to manage remotely deployed teams.
• Experience in leading complex high value Export bid work.
• Must be medically fit for business travel.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of a large high value fast jet EWOS Support Project.
• Organize and coordinate stakeholder interfaces.
• Develop and maintain key relationships with customers.

Skills

Strong communication and motivational skills

Project management

Risk management

Analytical skills

Customer interface skills

Education

Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Job Description : Your Impact :

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior / Lead Project Manager to join our team working within a dynamic and fast paced Defence Export Team. The specific role seniority will depend on previous levels of experience

In this role you will be working alongside some of the best Project Managers in the industry with excellent opportunities for personal development and career progression. As the responsible Project Manager, you will be Project Managing and leading elements of complex high value Export project scope related to the Turkish Typhoon EWOS Export project.

The role can be based at either our Lincoln or Luton sites and will operate within a custom / flexible working environment, both office and home based.

Reporting directly to the Head of the Export IPT, your primary role will be to manage all aspects of a large high value fast jet EWOS Support Project with the primary end user being the Turkish AF and BAES systems as principal customer.

You will organise and coordinate internal and external stakeholder interfaces, including customers where appropriate and ensure accurate reporting of progress against all aspects of contract performance.

The role will also involve activities related to the winning of adjacent and follow on business.

Travel within the UK and to European countries to support business activities will be required.

• Implement and sustain effective project management processes as aligned to the Leonardo Lifecycle Management framework.
• Identify and implement tools and reporting mechanisms to achieve the Project and budget deliverables on behalf of the project.
• To organise and coordinate business rhythm meetings and provide direct support for all customer meetings producing minutes and actions as required.
• Manage and control contract estimate cost at completion vs. Contract acceptance and cash flow, maximising margin and agreeing margin adjustment criteria.
• Generation of the Contract Status Report (CSR)
• Develop and maintain key relationships with the customer and other external agencies.
• Generation and maintenance of the communication and stakeholder management plan
• Day to day customer point of contact for project and technical enquiries

What you’ll bring :

• Sound business judgement
• Strong people focus and ability to successfully manage remotely deployed teams
• Strong communication and motivational skills
• Management experience ideally covering financial, commercial, engineering and project areas
• The ability to quickly pick up new tool sets and processes, with good analytical skills
• Ability to analyse schedule and cost data for impending difficulties and clearly communicate to the IPT Lead and wider business.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Must be medically fit in order to undertake business air travel and UK domestic travel requiring overnight stays.
• Strong customer interface and customer supplier experience
• Project, Risk management skills and knowledge
• Experience in leading complex high value Export bid work

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. 8

Company Internal

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 - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Additional Locations :

GB - Lincoln

Contract Type :

Permanent

Hybrid Working :

Hybrid