Project Manager Defence

Match Performance; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 91,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Match Performance is recruiting a Project Manager to lead complex defence programmes across MOD environments. You will drive delivery from initiation to completion, coordinating internal teams, suppliers and partners while maintaining governance and reporting to senior stakeholders.

The role requires strong project controls, risk management, and commercial awareness, with hybrid UK site requirements and SC-eligibility discussions as part of the security landscape.

Qualifications

• Extensive project-management experience in Defence, MOD, aerospace, or similarly regulated sectors.
• Strong ability to manage multiple stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Solid understanding of project controls, planning, risk and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of projects from initiation to completion.
• Manage scope, schedule, cost, quality, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Maintain RAID logs and governance documentation.
• Provide clear reporting to senior stakeholders and leadership.
• Coordinate internal teams, suppliers, contractors and partners.
• Escalate risks and ensure decisive action and traceability.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Governance

Reporting

Commercial awareness

Job description

Project Manager - Defence

12-24 Month Fixed-Term Contract or £350-£450/day Inside IR35

Location: UK - hybrid / site-based as required

Security Clearance: SC preferred / eligibility to obtain SC likely required

Match Performance is supporting a major defence organisation with the appointment of experienced Project Managers to support complex delivery programmes across the MOD environment.

We are looking for individuals who can operate effectively within a structured, highly regulated and stakeholder-heavy environment, with responsibility for delivering defined project outcomes across cost, schedule, risk, quality and governance.

This is an opportunity to work on significant defence programmes where delivery discipline, commercial awareness and stakeholder management are as important as technical understanding.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of projects from initiation through to completion.
• Manage scope, schedule, cost, quality, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Maintain robust project plans, RAID logs and governance documentation.
• Provide clear reporting to senior stakeholders and programme leadership.
• Coordinate internal teams, suppliers, contractors and wider delivery partners.
• Monitor performance against agreed milestones and intervene where delivery is at risk.
• Support commercial, procurement and supplier-management activity where required.
• Ensure compliance with relevant governance, assurance and reporting requirements.
• Manage project change and maintain control of baselines.
• Support benefits realisation and effective transition into operational delivery.
• Build strong relationships across engineering, commercial, finance, operations and programme functions.
• Escalate risks and issues appropriately and maintain clear decision-making records.

Experience required

We are interested in Project Managers with experience in one or more of the following environments:

• Defence / MOD
• Aerospace
• Engineering
• Nuclear
• Infrastructure
• Complex manufacturing
• Technology-enabled programmes
• Highly regulated public-sector environments

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong project-management experience across complex delivery environments.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Good understanding of project controls, planning, risk and governance.
• Ability to work within structured assurance and reporting frameworks.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Confidence operating with ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Commercial awareness and experience working with suppliers.
• Ability to challenge constructively and maintain delivery focus.

Contract options

• Option 1 - Fixed Term 12-24 months, salary dependent on experience and level.
• Option 2 - Day Rate £350-£450/day Inside IR35, depending on experience, clearance and assignment.

The type of person we're looking for

This role would suit someone who is comfortable operating in a complex, structured and delivery-focused environment.

You do not need to be the technical expert, but you do need to be able to coordinate technical, commercial and operational stakeholders and maintain control of delivery.