Project Manger / Planner

MDA Space; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension plan

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

MDA Space in Farnborough is seeking a Project Manager / Planner to manage internal projects and workstreams within larger programs. You will collaborate with Program Managers and functional teams to ensure plans, milestones and dependencies are clearly defined and delivered.

The role requires strong Excel and VBA skills, practical knowledge of Jira and Confluence, and the ability to balance detailed project work with the broader program view across Engineering, Finance, Operations and more.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data/Analytics, Mathematics, Business, Project Management, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of PMO, project planning or related experience
• Proficiency with Jira and Confluence for planning and reporting
• Strong Excel skills including VBA for automation

Responsibilities

• Project Management & Delivery: Manage assigned internal projects and workstreams that form part of larger programs, from planning through to completion
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables and key dependencies
• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Operations, Finance, Procurement and other relevant functions
• Track project progress against agreed scope, schedule, resources and milestones
• Maintain project action logs and ensure actions, decisions and deliverables are followed through to completion
• Identify project risks, issues, gaps and dependencies and elevate them to the relevant Program Manager when required
• Coordinate project meetings, prepare agendas and status updates, and ensure follow-up actions are captured and progressed
• Support resource planning and highlight resource constraints or conflicts affecting delivery
• Provide regular project status reporting to Program Managers and stakeholders
• Ensure project documentation and key decisions are maintained and accessible
• Program Planning & PMO Support: Support Program Managers in developing and maintaining integrated program plans and tracking mechanisms
• Break down program objectives into manageable projects, workstreams, activities and milestones
• Develop and maintain WBS structures, project schedules and tracking tools.
• Support the identification and management of dependencies between projects, engineering activities and other program workstreams
• Provide visibility of progress, remaining effort, milestones, risks and resource requirements
• Support forecasting, ETC/EAC, cost tracking and other program-control activities as required
• Maintain and improve standard PMO planning templates, trackers and reporting packs
• Assist Program Managers in preparing program reviews, management updates and other reporting requirements

Skills

PMO experience

Excel expertise

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Excel VBA

Job description

About Mda Space

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and Geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 4,000 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there.

For more information, visit www.mda.space.

Our Sat Connect IC business unit, a division of our Satellite Systems business, is a leading provider of ASICs, software, multibeam electronically steered antennas, and complete systems for communication satellites, as well as ground and airborne terminals. With locations in Israel, the UK, and the US, we are a technology leader in satellite communication.

• The Project Manager / Planner is responsible for managing and coordinating internal projects and workstreams that form part of larger company programs. The role will work closely with Program Managers and functional teams to ensure that assigned projects are clearly planned, tracked and delivered against agreed scope, schedule, resources and milestones
• The role combines Project management, Planning and Analytical capabilities with strong Excel and VBA skills and practical knowledge of Jira and Confluence
• In addition to managing assigned projects, the role will support Program Managers in developing and maintaining effective planning, tracking and reporting tools that provide clear visibility of program progress, dependencies, risks, resources and delivery status
• The role will work across Engineering, Program Management, Finance, Operations and other functions to coordinate activities, identify dependencies and gaps, and drive actions through to completion
• The position is particularly suited to someone who is comfortable working across both project execution and project controls, with the ability to move between detailed project-level activities and the broader program view

About Mda Space

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and Geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 4,000 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there.

For more information, visit www.mda.space.

Our Sat Connect IC business unit, a division of our Satellite Systems business, is a leading provider of ASICs, software, multibeam electronically steered antennas, and complete systems for communication satellites, as well as ground and airborne terminals. With locations in Israel, the UK, and the US, we are a technology leader in satellite communication.

• The Project Manager / Planner is responsible for managing and coordinating internal projects and workstreams that form part of larger company programs. The role will work closely with Program Managers and functional teams to ensure that assigned projects are clearly planned, tracked and delivered against agreed scope, schedule, resources and milestones
• The role combines Project management, Planning and Analytical capabilities with strong Excel and VBA skills and practical knowledge of Jira and Confluence
• In addition to managing assigned projects, the role will support Program Managers in developing and maintaining effective planning, tracking and reporting tools that provide clear visibility of program progress, dependencies, risks, resources and delivery status
• The role will work across Engineering, Program Management, Finance, Operations and other functions to coordinate activities, identify dependencies and gaps, and drive actions through to completion
• The position is particularly suited to someone who is comfortable working across both project execution and project controls, with the ability to move between detailed project-level activities and the broader program view

Responsibilities / Tasks

• Project Management & Delivery
  • Manage assigned internal projects and workstreams that form part of larger programs, from planning through to completion
  • Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables and key dependencies
  • Coordinate activities across Engineering, Operations, Finance, Procurement and other relevant functions
  • Track project progress against agreed scope, schedule, resources and milestones
  • Maintain project action logs and ensure actions, decisions and deliverables are followed through to completion
  • Identify project risks, issues, gaps and dependencies and elevate them to the relevant Program Manager when required
  • Coordinate project meetings, prepare agendas and status updates, and ensure follow-up actions are captured and progressed
  • Support resource planning and highlight resource constraints or conflicts affecting delivery
  • Provide regular project status reporting to Program Managers and stakeholders
  • Ensure project documentation and key decisions are maintained and accessible
• Program Planning & PMO Support
  • Support Program Managers in developing and maintaining integrated program plans and tracking mechanisms
  • Break down program objectives into manageable projects, workstreams, activities and milestones
  • Develop and maintain WBS structures, project schedules and tracking tools.
  • Support the identification and management of dependencies between projects, engineering activities and other program workstreams
  • Provide visibility of progress, remaining effort, milestones, risks and resource requirements
  • Support forecasting, ETC/EAC, cost tracking and other program-control activities as required
  • Maintain and improve standard PMO planning templates, trackers and reporting packs
  • Assist Program Managers in preparing program reviews, management updates and other reporting requirements
• Planning Tools & Data Analysis
  • Develop and maintain Excel-based project and program planning, costing and tracking tools
  • Build automated Excel models, dashboards and reports using advanced formulas and VBA/macros where appropriate
  • Develop tools to track schedule, resources, cost, progress, risks, actions and dependencies
  • Analyse project and program data to identify trends, gaps, delays, dependencies and potential delivery risks
  • Ensure project and program information is accurate, consistent and presented in a way that supports effective decision-making
  • Continuously improve planning and tracking tools based on feedback from Program Managers and project teams
  • Use Jira and Confluence to support project planning, execution tracking and reporting
  • Develop and maintain Jira dashboards and reports that provide visibility of project and engineering progress
  • Support the establishment of links between project plans, WBS, requirements and Jira execution activities where appropriate
  • Maintain clear and consistent Confluence project structures and documentation
  • Support Program Managers and engineering teams in using Jira and Confluence effectively for project tracking and reporting
  • Identify opportunities to simplify or automate project tracking and reporting within the Atlassian environment

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data/Analytics, Mathematics, Business, Project Management, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of relevant experience in PMO, project/program planning, project controls, business analytics, engineering operations or a similar role
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including advanced formulas, data analytics and VBA/macros
• Experience building automated Excel tools and infrastructure for business or project management teams
• Experience with Jira and Confluence, including dashboards, workflows, reporting and data structures
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with program/project planning and tracking
• Ability to translate business and program requirements into practical tools and processes
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy
• Ability to work across Engineering, Finance and Program Management teams

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA Space welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA Space’s leadership in this next golden age.

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

BPSS is for UK roles only:

Comments/Special Considerations:

• Right to work: To confirm that you are entitled to take up the position as well as check your nationality and immigration status
• Identity: Full ID check
• Criminal records: Basic Disclosurei
• Employment history check: Confirmation of past three years of employment (minimum) history/activity
• Reference checks

UK Only - Benefits Statement

• private healthcare
• disability income protection
• life insurance
• pension plan
• employee assistance program

Equal Opportunity Statement

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

Accommodations

MDA Space is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

#IND