Project Manager

NRL; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 137,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

NRL Group in Bristol is seeking an experienced Project Manager for a 12‑month contract to deliver defence projects on time, cost and quality. The role involves coordinating multi‑discipline teams, managing governance, and ensuring safety and compliance in a hybrid office pattern (2–3 days on-site).

The successful candidate will bring a proven track record in complex defence programmes, strong communication skills and the ability to drive improvements across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering defence-related projects.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and stakeholders.
• Experience delivering projects on time, within budget, and to quality.
• UK residency for the last five years and security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Deliver projects in line with governance and policies.
• Develop and maintain accurate project plans and documentation.
• Monitor, control, and report on progress against baselines.
• Identify and mitigate risks, assumptions and dependencies.
• Coordinate engineering, technical, commercial and financial support.
• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders and clients.
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to colleagues where appropriate.

Skills

Defence project management

Stakeholder management

Time & cost management

Communication skills

Consultancy experience

P3M methodologies

Security clearance eligible

Education

APM PFQ/PMQ

PRINCE2 Practitioner

MSP Practitioner

MAPM membership

Job description

Project Manager Summary

We’re seeking an experienced Project Manager to join our client’s team in Bristol on a 12‑month contract. This role is perfect for someone with a proven track record in delivering defence projects and who thrives on managing complex responsibilities to time, cost, and quality standards. You’ll have the chance to work on high-profile initiatives and influence project success in a hybrid working environment.

Rate

Rate£68.75 per hour- IR35

Location and Working Pattern

Bristol – Hybrid (2–3 days per week in the office)

Client Overview

Our client is a leading organisation operating within the defence sector, committed to delivering innovative solutions and maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Deliver projects in line with organisational policies and governance.
• Manage projects to meet agreed time, cost, and quality objectives.
• Develop and maintain accurate project plans and documentation.
• Monitor, control, and report on project performance progress.
• Identify and mitigate risks, assumptions, and dependencies effectively.
• Support compliance with statutory, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Coordinate engineering, technical, commercial, and financial support as needed.
• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders and clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Capture lessons learned, drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to colleagues where appropriate.

Must-have Requirements

• Extensive experience delivering defence-related projects.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and stakeholders successfully.
• Strong background in delivering projects to time, cost, and quality requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Experience in consultancy or client-facing environments.
• Sound understanding of P3M practices and methodologies.
• Ability to work independently with strong ownership.
• Security clearance eligibility: UK residency for the last five years.
• Willingness to obtain necessary security clearance.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Professional qualifications such as APM PFQ/PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile, or MSP Practitioner.
• Membership of the Association for Project Management (MAPM).
• Previous experience within the defence industry, especially Tier 1 or Prime contractors.
• Track record of delivering significant defence programmes.

About NRL

The NRL Group connect global companies with the right people to bring engineering projects to life. Supporting contracting companies with energy transition plans and working with our clients to create a cleaner, greener future.

We welcome applications from every walk of life and are committed to diversity within the industries we support, as a certified Inclusive Recruiter and Armed Forces friendly employer.