Project Manager

Arden White; Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to influence project delivery processes

Collaborative engineering environment

High-profile aviation projects

Job summary

A leading aviation firm is seeking an experienced Project Manager in Oxford to oversee and deliver complex helicopter customisation and development projects. This role involves managing the full project lifecycle, ensuring projects meet financial and quality targets while engaging closely with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in aviation project management, proven leadership skills, and a project management qualification. This is a high-impact opportunity in a forward-thinking environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering complex projects within aviation, aerospace, defence, or similar environments.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of project controls and delivery methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Deliver multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring OTOCOQ performance.
• Lead project planning and execution in line with methodologies.
• Manage project risks and optimise delivery outcomes.

Skills

Project management methodology

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Formal project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM, or equivalent)

Background in aerospace or aviation

Tools

Primavera P6

SAP

Job description

Arden White are currently recruiting for a Project Manager with a leading aviation organisation supporting complex helicopter customisation and development programmes.

This is a high-impact role responsible for delivering multi-million pound retrofit and modification projects for government, emergency services, and VIP customers. You will play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered on time, on cost, and on quality within a fast-paced and highly regulated environment.

The Opportunity

You will be responsible for managing the full project lifecycle across multiple concurrent programmes, working closely with engineering, production, and customer stakeholders to ensure successful delivery.

This role sits within a specialist customisation and development team delivering complex aviation projects and offers the opportunity to influence both project outcomes and future project management processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring on time, on cost, and on quality (OTOCOQ) performance
• Lead project planning, execution, and delivery in line with established project management methodologies
• Manage project risks and opportunities to optimise delivery outcomes
• Provide strong leadership across multi-disciplinary project teams
• Oversee project financials, schedules, and contractual obligations
• Ensure adherence to key project KPIs including schedule performance (SPI) and cost performance (CPI)
• Represent projects within governance frameworks, providing clear and data-driven progress updates
• Drive continuous improvement of project management processes, tools, and methodologies
• Maintain strong stakeholder engagement across internal teams and external customers

What We’re Looking For

• Proven track record delivering complex projects within aviation, aerospace, defence, or similar environments
• Experience leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of project controls, planning, and delivery methodologies
• Experience managing project financials, contracts, and performance metrics
• Ability to manage risk proactively and control project variance across time, cost, and quality
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience presenting to senior leadership and governance boards
• Understanding of aviation regulatory frameworks (EASA, UK CAA, UK MAA)

Desirable Experience

• Background in aviation engineering or aerospace environments
• Experience with Primavera P6 and/or SAP
• Experience in customer-facing roles
• Knowledge of Part 21 (Pt21) environments
• Exposure to bid or capture management

Qualifications

• Formal project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM, or equivalent)
• Background in aerospace or aviation
• Full UK driving licence

About You

• Strong leadership and team-building capability
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Highly organised with the ability to manage complex workloads
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-focused
• Able to break down complex problems into deliverable actions
• Flexible and responsive to changing project and customer requirements

Additional Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance
• Willingness to travel as required
• Right to work in the UK
• This role is site-based in Oxfordshire

Why Apply?

• Work on high-profile aviation projects supporting critical operations
• Manage complex, technically challenging programmes
• Join a collaborative and forward-thinking engineering environment
• Opportunity to influence delivery and improve project processes

Apply Now

If you’re an experienced Project Manager looking to take on complex aviation programmes, we want to hear from you.

If you feel you have the skills to succeed in this role, please click to apply.