Project Manager

Holt Executive Recruitment; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Holt Executive Ltd. is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead aviation programmes, including Full Flight Simulators and integrated hardware-software systems.

You will drive end-to-end delivery, manage multi-disciplinary teams and ensure delivery against schedule, budget and regulatory requirements on a global scale. The role involves coordinating with Engineering, Manufacturing and external partners, maintaining detailed plans, managing risk, and reporting to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex engineering projects with hardware/software integration.
• Experience in aviation/aerospace/defence or other highly regulated engineering.
• Familiarity with PM methodologies: APM, PRINCE2, PMI or MSP.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex engineering projects against schedule, budget, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Manage multiple projects, including new simulator builds and system upgrades.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and external partners.
• Define scope, objectives, deliverables and resources with stakeholders.
• Develop detailed project plans with WBS, schedules, budgets and risk registers.
• Monitor performance, address delays and maintain delivery commitments.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, cost control and commercial performance.
• Identify and mitigate technical, operational and commercial risks.
• Oversee configuration management, change control and governance.
• Build relationships with international customers, suppliers and internal teams.
• Provide accurate reporting and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support continuous improvement of delivery processes.

Skills

Project management

Aviation/defense experience

Stakeholder management

Regulated environment experience

MS Project/MS Office

Scheduling & budgeting

Risk management

Change control

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

PM qualification (APM/PRINCE2/PMI/MSP)

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Project Manager – Aviation Programmes

Location: Crawley, West Sussex

Salary: Dependent on Experience + Excellent Benefits

Working Arrangement: Hybrid – 4 Days Onsite per Week

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

About the Opportunity

Holt Executive is partnered with a leading global aviation technology organisation specialising in the design, development and delivery of advanced flight simulation and pilot training solutions.

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to join their Programme Management team, taking responsibility for delivering technically complex aviation programmes to customers worldwide.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge Full Flight Simulators (FFS), advanced training devices and integrated hardware and software systems, supporting the development of technologies that enhance aviation safety and pilot training.

The successful candidate will manage multiple concurrent projects throughout the full engineering and delivery lifecycle, from initial concept and design through to certification, customer delivery and in-service modifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of complex engineering projects, ensuring successful outcomes against schedule, budget, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, including new simulator builds, engineering upgrades and system modifications.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Programme Management and external partners.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables and resource requirements in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), schedules, budgets and risk registers.
• Monitor project performance, identify potential delays and implement corrective actions to maintain delivery commitments.
• Manage project budgets, financial forecasting, cost control and commercial performance.
• Identify, assess and mitigate technical, operational and commercial risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee configuration management, change control and project governance processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with international customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Provide accurate project reporting, performance updates and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project delivery processes and operational efficiency.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing complex, high-value engineering projects involving hardware and software integration.
• Previous experience within aviation, aerospace, defence or another highly regulated engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of recognised project management methodologies, including APM, PRINCE2, PMI or MSP.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects within a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong financial management capabilities, including project budgeting, forecasting and cost control.
• Experience developing and maintaining detailed project schedules, risk registers and project documentation.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence engineering teams, customers and senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of project governance, risk management and change control.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, alongside a recognised project management qualification.

Desirable Experience

• Experience delivering flight simulation, training systems or safety-critical engineering programmes.
• Knowledge of aviation regulatory frameworks, including EASA and FAA.
• Experience managing international customers and complex supplier relationships.
• Commercial and contract management experience.
• Experience delivering products involving complex electro-mechanical systems and integrated technologies.