Principal Project Manager

Assystem GmbH; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days of annual leave

8% company pension contributions

Healthcare cash-plan

Job summary

ASSYSTEM is looking for a Project Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne to manage and evolve a multi-project portfolio. The candidate will support blue-chip defence clients and align delivery with strategic growth objectives. The role requires strong leadership and exceptional communication skills to guide diverse teams. Benefits include 25 days of leave, 8% pension contributions, and healthcare support. Applicants should demonstrate experience in delivering complex projects within the Nuclear Defence sector.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Support efficient management of projects and PMO.
• Lead project governance and programme performance reporting.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to improve delivery capability.

Skills

Leadership skills

Excellent communication

Project management

Risk management

Budget management

Change management

Technical engineering understanding

Education

Chartered status (or working towards)

Experience in Nuclear Defence or regulated industries

Tools

Reporting tools

NEC4 contract suite

Job description

Today, Assystem is among the top three independent nuclear engineering firms worldwide. With over 60 years of experience in highly regulated sectors, the group supports public and industrial stakeholders in the execution of complex and strategic infrastructure projects, subject to high safety and security requirements.

Assystem mobilizes 8,000 experts in 13 countries and intervenes across the entire project lifecycle, in engineering, project management and digital solutions.

Job Description

Location: Derby or Newcastle

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.

You will 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:

• Support efficient management of projects and PMO, resolving issues to improve overall delivery performance
• Lead project governance and programme performance reporting across safety, time, cost, quality and relationships while embedding innovation
• Contribute to approvals, budget planning, financial cycles and provide strategic advice to the Defence Programme Manager.
• Ensure effective use of programme management tools and techniques, including developing and reviewing business cases and benefit realisation plans.
• Inspire, lead, and line manage project and PMO team members, helping them reach their full potential
• Provide coaching, direction, and mentoring to improve delivery capability across the function

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

• 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‑depth knowledge of risk, budget management, cost control, scheduling, and reporting tools
• Expertise in change management, contract management, and strategic delivery frameworks
• Experience in the Nuclear Defence sector or other regulated industries
• Familiarity with the NEC4 contract suite and delivery within frameworks or joint ventures
• Technical engineering understanding (Mechanical, Electrical, EC&I)
• Previous involvement in developing project bids or client proposals

Additional Information

Please be aware that many roles at Assystem are subject to both security and export control restrictions.

• These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.
• All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES ON RECRUITMENT FRAUD - We are committed to safeguarding candidates from fraudulent activity associated with our recruitment process. Please note that we will never offer specialist CV writing services, request payment or ask for sensitive personal information during the recruitment process.

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.