Project Manager

QinetiQ Target Systems - United Kingdom; Ashford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the defense sector is seeking a Project Manager to join their Business Delivery Team in Ashford. The successful applicant will oversee projects related to advanced Unmanned Aerial systems, ensuring adherence to quality standards and effective collaboration across teams. This role offers flexible working conditions, competitive remuneration, and opportunities for career advancement within a global organization.

Benefits

Flexible/hybrid working

Ample holiday entitlements

Generous employer pension contributions

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay

Discounted Health Cash Plans

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Qualifications

• Qualified to STEM level 3 or higher with strong management skills.
• At least 3 years of Project Management experience in a relevant industry.
• Good written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage QTS Projects to ensure delivery to the highest standards.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans and schedules.
• Coordinate resources and manage stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Project Scheduling

Cost Control

Technical Performance Measurement

IT Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Engineering Knowledge

Education

STEM related qualification level 3 or higher

Project Management qualification (APM, Prince 2, etc.)

Tools

MS Project

MS Office

Job description

Location: Ashford, Kent

Company: QinetiQ Target Systems

Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible hybrid working

About The Role

We are currently recruiting for a Project Manager to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Business Delivery Team. The QTS business specialises in the design and manufacture of a range of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems, including the world-leading Banshee target.

QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over forty countries worldwide, with QTS providing a complete managed service in over fifteen of these countries.

What will I be doing?

Reporting to the Head of Programmes you will be responsible for providing leadership to QTS Projects of varying complexity (subject to experience) to ensure that they are delivered to the highest standards.

Projects will often be multi-functional, requiring the incumbent to work closely with the Engineering, Operations and Field Services teams to constantly improve and develop the company’s product portfolio. They will also be required to work closely with colleagues in the customer account teams, in both Ashford and across areas of the wider QinetiQ business to ensure delivery.

Duties Will Include

• Ensure safety standards are adhered to, and that relevant company processes are followed (e.g. Engineering Design, Quality, Procurement)
• Through the application of Project Lifecycle Framework, management of one or more QTS internal and / or external projects.
• Working alongside an appropriate Technical Expert, develop and maintain detailed project plans and schedules to track and report progress.
• Coordinate resources both internal and third parties/suppliers.
• Ensure resource availability and allocation, working with the Head of Programmes and Project Management team to deconflict and prioritise as necessary to meet business needs.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders.
• Provide Support to bids and business case development· Promote strong collaboration between different QinetiQ sites and business units.
  
  

What do I need?

You will be qualified to STEM related qualification level 3 or higher and have strong management and stakeholder management skills.

You will have at least 3 years Project Management experience in a relevant industry and demonstrable experience of project scheduling, cost control and technical performance measurement leading to required project outcomes.

We Also Ask That You

• are able to work in the Ashford facility 3 days per week.
• are comfortable working with many internal stakeholders
• are able to turn complex requirements in to simple and achievable plans
• are able to operate autonomously and reactively to changing requirements
• have good IT skills and are an experienced user of MS Project and other MS Office tools.
• have good written and oral communication skills
• are an excellent team player
• have broad engineering / technical knowledge and curiosity
  
  

It Would Be Beneficial If You Have

• a Project Management qualification (APM, Prince 2 etc)
• experience in a product design and manufacturing environment
• aviation or Weapons domain experience
• an engineering qualification
• domain knowledge of Unmanned Aerial Target systems including ground, target, and control systems
  
  

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What else do I need to know?

Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of exciting defence-based projects, with vast career progression across a global organisation, in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits.

You will receive a competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive, as we constantly review what is happening in the market.

The range of benefits we offer includes adaptive and flexible/hybrid working, ample holiday entitlements, generous employer pension contributions, enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay, and the ability to purchase discounted Health Cash Plans, Private Medical Insurance, and Dental Insurance, plus much more.