Project Manager, Defence

Electus Recruitment Solutions; Filton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Electus Recruitment Solutions is seeking contract Defence Project Managers to support UK defence programmes in Bristol. Roles vary from hands-on PM to senior leadership across teams, with a focus on delivering defined work packages and complex delivery initiatives.

Typical rates are banded by scope: practitioner £250–£300, experienced £350–£400, senior £500–£600 per day, all inside IR35. Usually around 3 days on-site in Bristol.

Qualifications

• Strong project management experience within defence or MOD-facing environments.
• Evidence of personal delivery ownership across projects or work packages.
• Experience managing performance, risks, issues, change and stakeholders.
• Ability to operate within structured governance and reporting environments.
• Security clearance appropriate to the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of projects, work packages or control accounts.
• Manage scope, schedule, cost, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Monitor project performance and take corrective action.
• Support governance, reporting and assurance activities.
• Collaborate with engineering, commercial, finance and project controls teams.
• Manage customer and supplier relationships.

Skills

Defence project management

Security clearance

Stakeholder management

Job description

Defence Project Manager - Contract
Bristol | Contract | Inside IR35 | £250 to £600 per day depending on scope and experience

I am recruiting Project Managers for a recurring pipeline of contract opportunities supporting UK defence programmes in Bristol.

Requirements are released regularly and range from hands‑on Project Managers owning defined projects or work packages through to experienced PMs leading more complex delivery and senior Project Managers taking broader responsibility across teams, stakeholders and programme activity.

These opportunities suit candidates with genuine defence Project Management experience.

Current rate guide

Typical rates fall into 3 bands depending on the scope and seniority of the assignment:

• £250 to £300 per day for practitioner-level Project Management assignments
• £350 to £400 per day for experienced Project Managers with broader delivery ownership
• £500 to £600 per day for senior Project Managers with greater leadership, assurance and stakeholder responsibility

All roles are inside IR35.

What you could be responsible for

Depending on the assignment, responsibilities can include:

• Owning delivery of projects, work packages or control accounts
• Managing scope, schedule, cost, risks, issues and dependencies
• Monitoring project performance and taking corrective action
• Managing change within formal project governance
• Working with engineering, commercial, finance and Project Controls teams
• Managing customer and supplier relationships
• Supporting formal reporting, assurance and approval activity
• Leading more complex delivery or providing senior oversight

What we are looking for

• Strong Project Management experience within defence or MOD-facing environments
• Clear evidence of personal delivery ownership rather than coordination or PMO support
• Experience managing project performance, risks, issues, change and stakeholders
• Ability to operate within structured governance and reporting environments
• A recognised Project Management qualification is useful and often expected depending on the assignment
• Security clearance appropriate to the individual requirement

Security and eligibility

British nationality is essential for these roles.

Current, valid SC clearance is also essential.

Location and working pattern

The current contract pipeline is primarily focused on Bristol.

Many assignments require around 3 days per week onsite so candidates should be able to travel to Bristol consistently.

Selection process

These opportunities use a CV-based selection process with no formal interview stage.

New requirements are released regularly so candidates with suitable defence Project Management, Project Controls or Planning experience can also be considered for future assignments as they become available.