Project Manager - Trials & Test Capability

AWE; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm in the UK is seeking an experienced Project Manager who will deliver projects in time, cost, and quality. You will lead a team, manage resources, and have the opportunity for hybrid working. The ideal candidate should have a background in technical or mechanical project management. This role is rewarding with numerous benefits, including a contributory pension scheme and professional career development opportunities.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market leading contributory pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional career development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Special Leave Policy

Qualifications

• Demonstrated project management competence.
• Ability to manage own workload calmly and constructively.
• Familiarity with project documentation and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver assigned projects to time, cost, and quality.
• Lead and coach a local team to achieve objectives.
• Manage project resources effectively.

Skills

Project management experience

Technical/mechanical background

Excellent customer relationship skills

Ability to prioritize workload

Knowledge of risk management techniques

Education

Graduate qualification in a relevant field

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Location: RG7 4PR, this role is located at our Aldermaston site, with free onsite parking.

Package: Starting at £49,830 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9‑day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

As the Project Manager, you would be responsible to deliver assigned projects to time, cost and quality, compliant with AWE processes. Your role may also include the applications of skill sets within nuclear programmes and projects in supporting the delivery of the AWE mission. Ideally, you should have technical/mechanical project management background to work in a testing environment. This is a great opportunity to join a rapidly growing team in a mission critical area of the business.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking someone adaptable who can show a clear background in previous project management competence. In the role you will:

• Deliver assigned projects in accordance with requirements, operational constraints, time, cost, and quality.
• Lead, coach and develop a local team to deliver team and personal objectives safely and securely to meet our operational plans.
• Manage projects with focus on Governance (compliance and reporting).
• Management of project resources (people, money).
• Lead the planning of the task/project.
• Lead, support, and initiate change against the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB).
• Lead, initiate and perform risk and opportunity identification and subsequent actions.
• The Company may require you to fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs.

Whilst not to be considered a checklist, candidates should be able to demonstrate some of the following:

• Graduate qualification and/or equivalent demonstrable experience working within a mechanical and/or technical projects and testing environment.
• Skills to create and update all project documentation, including project management plans and supporting risks, assumptions, actions, issues & dependencies.
• Experience of project management tools and techniques for budgeting, change management and project goal setting.
• Ability to effectively prioritise workload, resources, and deadlines within high pressure complex environments.
• Excellent customer and key stakeholder relationship skills.
• Knowledge of methods to track project deliverables including implementing key performance indicators and producing project progress reports.
• Risk techniques to manage project risks and interdependencies with efficient mitigation and contingency plans.
• Experience to manage projects through a lifecycle and the associated governance, including stage gate approvals.

You’ll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

AWE has a wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9‑day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 × annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, on an informal, non‑contractual basis. Typically, 2‑3 days on site per week.

There may be the opportunity for business travel with this role, approximately 5 international trips per year (this is subject to change as per business need).