Project Manager - Speculative Talent Pipeline

Rowden; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Rowden is recruiting a Project Manager to drive delivery across mission‑critical national security projects. This hands‑on role coordinates complex initiatives, manages stakeholders, and resolves risks to keep work on schedule and within budget.

You will lead strategic discussions, build persuasive business cases, and maintain clear communication with internal teams and customers in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable project management experience across multiple initiatives.
• Ability to build compelling business cases and present at executive level.
• Strong risk and change management capabilities in regulated settings.
• Experience facilitating discussions in varied group sizes.
• Proven track record delivering on time, on budget, to scope.

Responsibilities

• Ensure exceptional stakeholder experience and project outputs on time and within scope.
• Champion change management and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate delivery, manage stakeholders, and address obstacles pro-actively.
• Capture, document, and communicate risks, issues, actions, decisions, and lessons.
• Forecast, monitor, and manage project finances and KPIs.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Risk management

Budgeting

Regulated environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Project Manager - Speculative Talent Pipeline

Department: Project/Programme Management

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bristol, UK

Reporting To: Paul Forrester-Page

Description

We're building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision‑making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.

Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs around 160 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europe's fastest‑growing engineering businesses.

About the opportunity

Due to increased demand, we're building a pipeline for passionate and delivery focused Project Management professionals at all levels who are interested in joining our growing team.

We are looking for Project Managers who can keep complex, mission‑critical national security projects moving – on time, on budget, and to the standard our customers deserve. This is a hands‑on role, to coordinate delivery, manage stakeholders, and address problems before they slow progress.

Rowden is built on a track record of delivering some of the most complex systems integration programmes in our sector. That record rests on clear standards: a relentless focus on user experience and outcomes, a commitment to delivery at pace, and trust earned through consistency and transparency.

Our customers operate in high‑consequence environments, so reliability, pace, and clarity are essential. You'll ensure they experience all three through disciplined planning, transparent communication, and the ability to adapt when the situation changes.

Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.

More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetti...

Key areas of responsibility

• Focusing on ensuring an exceptional stakeholder experience.
• Ensuring project outputs are delivered on time and within scope by championing change management.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Facilitating strategic discussions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Capturing and maintaining project documentation.
• Developing creative solutions with internal and external suppliers.
• Managing project finances, including forecasting and budgeting.
• Documenting and communicating risks, issues, actions, decisions, and lessons.
• Defining and reviewing project metrics and KPIs.
• Establishing a communication schedule to update stakeholders on project progress.
• Ensuring clear roles and responsibilities within the project team.
• Regularly reviewing the quality of work to meet customer and Rowden standards.
• Nurturing cross‑functional relationships with key stakeholders and business partners.

Who We're Looking For

We're keen to hear from people who are passionate about what they do and actively invest in their technical skills and abilities. You will be constantly learning and developing in this role, but some key skills and experience you should have already include:

• Demonstratable experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven experience developing and delivering strategic initiatives within a small / medium sized business.
• Strong analytical thinking, and approaches to build compelling and persuasive business cases.
• Proven ability to lead and facilitate discussions in small and large groups.
• Experience with executive level communication and presentations.
• Experience in proactively identifying and planning for project risks, resolution steps and escalation needs.
• Experience in managing projects and delivering outcomes within a regulated environment or industry would be advantageous.

About You

You will be dynamic and proactive with a passion for engineering and technology, capable of delivering projects successfully and building strong, lasting relationships. We believe the following behavioural competencies are key to success in this role:

• Excellent organisational skills.
• Work well with others and exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
• You take initiative and can make decisions under pressure by asking the right questions upfront.
• Building trust and maintaining productive relationships across varied interests.
• Remaining effective when priorities, requirements, or circumstances change.
• Handling disagreements constructively to preserve team cohesion.
• Expressing ideas clearly to stakeholders, senior leaders, and team members.
• Approaching challenges with pragmatic and creative thinking.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!

We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid‑working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part‑time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.

Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.