Principal Project Manager

ASSYSTEM; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ASSYSTEM is seeking a Principal Project Manager to oversee complex nuclear defence projects in Bristol. This role requires a strong leader with proven project management skills, the ability to guide teams, and a keen insight into strategic project delivery. The successful candidate will influence strategic outcomes and ensure the successful delivery of mission-critical projects.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave + bank holidays

8% company pension contributions

Healthcare cash-plan for dental and medical care

Employee assistance programme with 24/7 support

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering large, complex, or high-volume projects.
• Ability to guide multi-disciplinary, cross-functional teams.
• Strong communicator and influencer at all levels.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication

Change management

Risk management

Budget management

Education

Chartered status in Project or Engineering disciplines

Tools

Scheduling tools

Reporting tools

Job description

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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:

• Oversee a large volume of concurrent projects with full lifecycle responsibility

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.

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.