Project Manager

Physics World; South Oxfordshire; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A national laboratory for quantum technologies is seeking a Project Manager to oversee quantum computing projects. The role involves coordinating project teams, maintaining project documentation, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outputs. Ideal candidates will have a STEM background and project management experience. This position offers a flexible working scheme and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working scheme

Defined benefit pension scheme

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Strong desire to take ownership of project delivery.
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for the organization's mission.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of quantum computing projects.
• Coordinate project teams to meet deliverables.
• Maintain project documentation including risk registers.

Skills

Project management methodologies

Time management

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

STEM Degree or acquired experience

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Overview

Salary: Band D S2 £41,344 gross per annum

Contract Type: Open Ended

Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE). We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss flexible working with applicants. This role does require 3 days per week on site.

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK

Security clearance note: Due to the requirement of obtaining an enhanced security clearance for this role, applications are restricted to individuals who have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years.

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to join the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). You will be working alongside scientists, engineers, developers and experts in quantum technologies, working to enhance the UK\'s quantum computing capabilities. As part of the Programme Delivery Team, Project Managers are essential to the delivery of our ambitious roadmap for the UK.

NQCC operate a wide variety of projects including technology projects building quantum computers in our laboratories, software development, high performance computing systems, community outreach and construction projects to build and enhance our facilities. Many of our projects are collaborations with industry and academia.

Our Project Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of assigned projects to ensure NQCC delivers high quality outputs in a timely manner within budget. The successful candidates will be expected to use their STEM background or acquired STEM-related experience to develop a thorough understanding of assigned projects, leading to the development and delivery of quantum computing hardware, software and services for the NQCC and our external stakeholders and partners. They will also maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders, maintain project documentation to a high standard, raise awareness of risks, and support reporting to the NQCC senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-day management of some of our quantum computing-related projects and the delivery of R&D or technical outputs, ensuring that all agreed milestones meet stakeholders’ expectations;
• Developing, managing, and maintaining working relationships with colleagues at all levels including project sponsor, technical leads and external stakeholders;
• Coordinating project teams, to ensure deliverables are completed on time, within budget and meet quality requirements;
• Understanding and implementing NQCC’s Project Management Process for all assigned projects;
• Maintaining project documentation to a high standard including project management plan, risk registers, communication plan, lessons learned;
• Managing project assigned budget;
• Generating project reports in an accurate and timely manner, enabling decision-making;
• Working with the NQCC evaluation team to embed monitoring, evaluation and benefits realisation activity within projects;
• Being an advocate for positive change and continuous improvement. Supporting others and contributing to NQCC process and policies;
• Forming a basic working understanding of project subject matter and general quantum computing technologies;
• Working with discretion to protect project confidentiality, commercial sensitivity and personal data.

This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and accountabilities involved in the job. This is not an exhaustive list, and the successful applicant might be expected to undertake any other duties across NQCC, appropriate to the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post-holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

Our Benefits

Our Benefits include a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), Defined benefit pension scheme and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.

Person Specification

Whilst a STEM qualification or acquired experience is required for this role, technical expertise in quantum computing specifically is not required. Consideration will be given to a less experienced individual if there is evidence of potential and passion to grow into the role.

We offer significant development and training opportunities. Applicants should meet the following criteria:

Essential

STEM Degree or acquired experience. (S);

Excellent understanding of project management methodologies, tools and techniques, in Computing, Science, Technology or Engineering (S&I);

Experience and/or qualifications in project related disciplines e.g. project management, risk management, quality management, benefits management etc. (S&I);

Efficient time management and problem-solving skills, including experience balancing needs of multiple projects and stakeholders (S&I);

Strong desire to take ownership and accountability for the delivery of technical deliverables (I);

Good verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present or report information in a variety of ways;

Ability to build relationships with and influence stakeholders (S&I);

Ability to lead and support teams to deliver outcomes. Especially where there is no line-management control of participants (S&I);

Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to the NQCC’s mission, vision and objectives and a desire to contribute to these goals (S&I).

You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas when required.

About NQCC

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing.

Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.

The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It sits alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and is part of the wider National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the role, and a requirement to support diverse projects, the successful candidate is required to successfully complete national pre-employment control checks to the BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) to fulfil the role.Checks can take between 9-12 working days. Once in post they may need to successfully complete an Enhanced Security Check (SC) clearance.

Join us and discover what’s possible!