Security Services Group (SSG) - DNO Project Manager

Ministry Of Defence; Watchfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Project Manager to oversee the delivery of security projects. The role involves managing resources, engaging in technical documentation, and ensuring compliance with national standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background and experience in project management, with benefits including a Civil Service pension and generous annual leave.

Benefits

Civil Service pension

Generous annual leave

On-site gym facilities

Qualifications

• Recognised, relevant Engineering background.
• Experience commissioning large complex electronic systems.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage key Security Projects for SSG DNO/AWE team.
• Serve as Document Writer / Technical Author.
• Provide full financial management and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Communicating and Influencing

Technical skill: Electronic Security Installation

Education

HNC in Electrical or Electronic Engineering

Membership of the Security Institute

Project Management Certification

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Project

P6 Primavera

Job description

Security Services Group (SSG)

Security Services Group (SSG) is the MOD's Technical Authority for electronic and physical security, providing in‑house expert advice, design, installation and maintenance of electronic and physical security systems across Government, prioritised towards Secret and Above Secret, and items Attractive to Criminal and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO). SSG is part of GUARDIAN and is positioned within Standing Joint Command to support UK homeland security and resilience.

With an FTE of 325, SSG provides technical specialist 'consultancy' advice to projects to support the creation of design specifications through to commissioning; project management and delivery with through‑life maintenance; strategic and tactical compliance assurance reviews and audits across the business; an assured government use only Intruder Detection System built in‑house; and security furniture services. The Head of SSG is also the MOD's Head of Specialism for Physical Security across the MOD (part of the Government Security Profession).

Operational Delivery & Auditing

SSG's Operational Delivery teams are the MOD's specialist in‑house security providers, delivering project management, design, installation and 24/7, 365 days a year maintenance of all aspects of electronic and physical security, with a global reach. SSG's work is independently audited to ensure ISO 9001:2015 and NSI compliance and accreditation as well as MOD's own internal compliance regime. To learn more about SSG, visit Security Services Group - GOV.UK.

Job Overview

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. The role is for a Project Manager in the SSG's Defence Nuclear Organisation support team, with the main office at AWE Aldermaston. The position can be based at AWE Aldermaston or Shrivenham Defence Academy and will predominantly work on UK Government sites throughout the Reading region. As SSG Project Manager you will be responsible for the delivery of projects for SSG customers in the UK and occasionally overseas as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver key Security Projects for SSG DNO/AWE team.
• Plan projects and resources, including sub‑contractors, quotes and equipment supply.
• Serve as Document Writer / Technical Author, producing Project (H&S) documents, MS Project & P6 Primavera Schedules, Technical Specifications and Drawings, and fitted documentation using AutoCAD.
• Engage in complex discussions and negotiations with SSG Project Managers, Site Technical Authority and Client Security Managers for key project and maintenance accounts.
• Lead (Line Manage) SSG Skill Zone security technicians and sub‑contractors to deliver the project and maintenance contracts to time, quality and cost.
• Provide full financial management: estimating, job costing, invoicing, and budget management, preparing clear and detailed financial breakdown reports to the SSG Regional Team Leader.
• Interpret and develop SSG Operations and external client requirements, supporting the team to deliver functional solutions.
• Manage and support the delivery of projects and maintenance overseas, which will involve regular periods of detached duty for meetings, progress updates and support for installation and commissioning activities.
• Have a working knowledge of British, European and Government Standards relating to security, together with knowledge of QA and H&S policies.
• Undertake all job‑related administration in an accurate and timely way.
• Carry out primary on‑call duties.
• Act as SME for all aspects of Electronic Security.
• Present toolbox talks.
• Bespoke system training will be provided.

Allowances & Benefits

• Travel time (where travel is external to core hours), on‑call allowance, recall‑to‑duty allowance, environmental (Radiation) allowance, travel and subsistence package when working outside your region and overtime.
• Project Managers based at AWE Aldermaston may be eligible for the Market Skills Allowance of up to £1800 per year in addition to salary.
• Full UK Driving Licence required.
• Generous annual leave: 25 days increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 30 after five years of service.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Equipment: Toolkit, laptop and mobile phone.
• Company vehicle: A non‑liveried company vehicle may be provided, eligible for personal use (taxable as a benefit).
• Family support: Access enhanced parental leave policies.
• Exclusive discounts through the Defence Discount Service.
• Health and wellbeing: Specsavers eye test vouchers and access to on‑site gym facilities (where available).

Qualifications

• Full UK Driving Licence.
• A recognised, relevant Engineering background, Engineering Apprenticeship and/or Engineering qualifications (Intruder Detection Systems, Perimeter Intruder Detection Systems, Video Surveillance Systems and Access Control Systems) or a recognised project management certification.
• Membership of the Engineering Council.
• Membership of the Security Institute.
• HNC in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or equivalent.
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, VSS, etc.) or equivalent.
• ONC/OND in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, VSS, etc.) or equivalent.
• A recognised qualification in Project Management.
• Experience of commissioning large complex systems.

Selection Criteria & Behaviours

• Leadership.
• Communicating and Influencing.
• Making Effective Decisions.
• Delivering at Pace.
• Experience of commissioning large complex systems.
• Technical skill: Electronic Security Installation (Practitioner).

Additional Information

The position does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six‑month probation period. Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. The Department is conducting a review of all pay‑related allowances which could impact the allocations that this post currently attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers; you may instead be eligible for other government schemes such as Tax‑Free Childcare.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. We may also ask for additional information to help us improve our service, including the collection of some personal data as defined by UK GDPR. The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how personal data will be used and your rights.

As a result of changes to UK immigration rules effective 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points‑based system for roles deemed business critical. This role does not meet that category and the MOD will not sponsor a visa. Therefore the role is not open to applicants requiring sponsorship. Applicants who require sponsorship will have their application rejected and any provisional offer withdrawn.

Salary: £37,720, with the MOD contributing £10,927 towards your membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service pension provides.

Health and Wellbeing: Receive Specsavers eye test vouchers and access on‑site gym facilities (where available). Social clubs, sports, and on‑site shops are available in many locations. Inclusive Workplace: Join one of our Diversity and Inclusion Networks. We value diversity and are committed to creating an equal and supportive environment.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the security requirements (developed vetting). The level of security needed is developed vetting. Baseline personnel security standard checks are required for those working with government assets.

Open to UK nationals only.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. The Civil Service also offers a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy and meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero‑tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, including bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Note

Monitoring and updates in policy and allowances are subject to change. This description is intended to provide an overview of the role and does not replace the full official posting.