Mechanical Project Manager

Axada Ltd; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK Defence organization is seeking a Programme Director to lead complex infrastructure programmes in Exeter and Plymouth. The role involves engaging with stakeholders, ensuring programme delivery aligns with contractual obligations, and managing multi-disciplinary teams. A degree in a related discipline and extensive leadership experience in regulated sectors are required. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, emphasizing strong commercial knowledge and leadership capabilities.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in Defence, nuclear, or regulated infrastructure sectors.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments.
• Willingness to travel to operational sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations on scope, change, and delivery commitments.
• Establish and maintain programme documentation and plans.
• Mobilize teams and manage supply chain resources effectively.

Skills

Leadership experience delivering major programmes

Commercial and contractual knowledge

Skilled communicator and influencer

Ability to balance technical and regulatory demands

Education

Degree in Engineering, Construction, Project Management or a related discipline

Job description

We are supporting a major UK Defence organisation in the appointment of a Programme Director to lead the successful delivery of complex infrastructure programmes within highly regulated environments. This senior role requires an experienced leader capable of directing multiple concurrent workstreams, managing diverse supply‑chain partners and ensuring programme delivery aligns with cost, schedule and quality commitments. You will operate across a broad stakeholder landscape and be responsible for programme governance, assurance, commercial oversight and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.? This position is working on a hybrid basis (3 days a week client site).

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

Act as the senior programme lead and primary interface with client organisations, delivery partners and regulators. Lead negotiations on scope, change, commercial matters and delivery commitments. Support wider business development activities by identifying opportunities and contributing to strategic growth. Represent the programme during regulatory discussions, technical reviews and stakeholder forums.

Programme Delivery & Governance

Establish and maintain core programme documentation, including the Programme Delivery Plan, H&S Management Plan and QA/QC frameworks. Ensure all teams understand programme scope, objectives, deliverables and success metrics. Oversee planning, scheduling, budgeting and commercial management across all programme elements. Assign responsibilities to senior project leads based on capability and experience, and support their ongoing development.

Resource, Supply Chain & Commercial Management

Mobilise multidisciplinary teams and supply‑chain resources to ensure programme readiness and delivery capability. Collaborate with functional leads to define key roles and ensure appropriate resourcing across all work fronts. Monitor spend, performance and progress, identifying risks and implementing corrective action plans when required. Manage change control processes and maintain oversight of contractual obligations and commercial impacts.

Assurance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

Drive excellence through the application of robust quality assurance and governance processes. Provide transparent reporting to senior leadership on programme performance, risks, issues and milestone achievement. Ensure delivery aligns with regulatory requirements, industry standards and best practice. Promote continuous improvement and lessons learned across all programme teams.

Skills & Experience Required

Significant leadership experience delivering major programmes within Defence, nuclear, utilities or similarly regulated infrastructure sectors. Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Strong commercial and contractual knowledge, ideally including NEC4 and/or FIDIC. Experience working with or alongside Tier‑1 contractors. Skilled communicator and influencer, able to operate effectively at senior levels. Capable of balancing technical, commercial, safety and regulatory demands. Willingness to travel to operational sites as required.

Qualifications

Degree in Engineering, Construction, Project Management or a related technical/business discipline. Professional accreditation (APM, RICS, ICE or equivalent) highly desirable. Experience across the full life cycle of major infrastructure or Defence programmes. Strong grounding in NEC and/or FIDIC contract environments.

Job Details

• Location: Exeter (initially) ? Plymouth (major healthcare project site)
• Project Value: £48M
• Programme Completion: December 2028