Principal Project Manager

Assystem; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company in the nuclear sector seeks a Principal Project Manager to lead high-profile defence programmes. The role focuses on overseeing multi-project portfolios, ensuring successful delivery while fostering leadership and innovation. The ideal candidate will have significant experience and be chartered in project or engineering disciplines, with a strong track record of managing complex projects.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave + bank holidays

8% company pension contributions

Healthcare cash-plan

Employee assistance programme

Professional membership fees paid

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering large, complex, or high-volume projects.
• Strong leadership skills to guide multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent communicator with influence at executive levels.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a large volume of concurrent projects with full lifecycle responsibility.
• Lead governance reporting on performance metrics.
• Inspire and mentor project and PMO staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project Management

Change Management

Education

Chartered status in Project or Engineering disciplines

Tools

Risk Management Tools

Budget Management Tools

Scheduling Tools

Job description

Assystem Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Assystem Bristol, England, United Kingdom

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Assystem is an international company with one mission: accelerate the energy transition around the world.



Every day, our 7,500 switchers located in 12 countries (Europe, Middle East, Pacific Asia & Africa) connect their six thousand billion neurons to tackle the task of the century: switching to low-carbon energy.



We are a collective committed to the actors who are making the energy switch. Sharing our knowledge, expertise and values allows us to innovate and think differently about the energy transition.



Drawing on more than 55 years' experience in highly regulated sectors subject to strict security and safety requirements, we provide our customers with engineering and project management services, as well as digital services and solutions to optimize the performance of complex infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle. The Group is currently ranked third in the world for nuclear engineering.



To ensure a viable, efficient, and reliable energy future for all

Assystem is an international company with one mission: accelerate the energy transition around the world.



Every day, our 7,500 switchers located in 12 countries (Europe, Middle East, Pacific Asia & Africa) connect their six thousand billion neurons to tackle the task of the century: switching to low-carbon energy.



We are a collective committed to the actors who are making the energy switch. Sharing our knowledge, expertise and values allows us to innovate and think differently about the energy transition.



Drawing on more than 55 years' experience in highly regulated sectors subject to strict security and safety requirements, we provide our customers with engineering and project management services, as well as digital services and solutions to optimize the performance of complex infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle. The Group is currently ranked third in the world for nuclear engineering.



To ensure a viable, efficient, and reliable energy future for all

Job Description

At Assystem, we’re driving forward some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile Nuclear Defence programmes – and we’re looking for a Principal Project Manager (PPM) who’s ready to take the lead.

This is more than project management. It’s about influencing strategic outcomes, shaping capability across the business, and ensuring we deliver mission-critical projects with precision, accountability, and innovation.

As a senior leader in our Defence business, you’ll play a pivotal role in managing and evolving a multi-project portfolio, supporting blue-chip defence clients and aligning delivery with AEIL’s wider growth objectives.

Your missions:

Programme & Portfolio Delivery

• Oversee a large volume of concurrent projects with full lifecycle responsibility
• Lead governance reporting on performance metrics – safety, time, cost, quality, client satisfaction

Leadership & People Development

• Inspire, lead, and line manage project and PMO staff, helping them reach their full potential
• Provide coaching, direction, and mentoring to improve delivery capability across the function

Strategic & Commercial Insight

• Contribute to budget planning, business case development, and financial performance cycles
• Identify and embed opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement
• Lead by example in client relationship management and commercial negotiation

Why join the community of Switchers?

As one of the Top 3 Nuclear Engineering companies in the world, Assystem offer a competitive benefits package which includes:

25 days of annual leave + bank holidays

8% company pension contributions

Healthcare cash-plan to get money back on dental, medical, physical care

Employee assistance programme including 24/7 access to free mental health support, virtual gym classes and more

Get professional and industry membership fees paid for.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications/Skills to be successful:

Proven track record of delivering large, complex, or high-volume projects in structured environments

Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide multi-disciplinary, cross-functional, and virtual teams

Excellent communicator and influencer at all levels, including executive stakeholders and clients

Chartered status (or working towards) in Project or Engineering disciplines

In-depth knowledge of risk, budget management, cost control, scheduling, and reporting tools

Expertise in change management, contract management, and strategic delivery frameworks

Commercially astute with a pragmatic approach to decision-making and solution delivery

Desirable qualifications/skills to be successful

Experience in the Nuclear Defence sector or other regulated industries

Familiarity with the NEC4 contract suite and delivery under Framework or JV arrangements

Technical engineering understanding (Mechanical, Electrical, EC&I)

Previous involvement in developing project bids or client proposals

If you’re a strategic thinker, a strong leader, and a results-driven project professional ready to shape the future of defence delivery — we’d love to hear from you.

Additional Information

Ideally Derby or Bristol office based but other AEIL UK offices an option

Hybrid working

Sole UK National preferred, BPSS to start but SC clearance required

Permanent staff role

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Project Management

• Industries

  Business Consulting and Services

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Assystem by 2x

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