Senior Engineering Project Manager

ZipRecruiter; Warrington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Job Description

Great British Nuclear (GBN) is a new government arm’s length body supporting the delivery of Britain’s energy security and net zero, making sure that we can power Britain from Britain sustainably. It has been set up to turn nuclear ambition into reality.

GBN’s first step was to start the technology selection process for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in July 2023. SMRs can potentially be quicker to deploy and less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants because they are smaller, have factory based modular manufacturing, and more flexible deployment options.

GBN is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and creates an inclusive workplace. It draws on deep nuclear expertise – its Executive Committee has over 100 years of nuclear experience in this country and abroad. And it can unlock billions of pounds of private and public investment from design to operation, helping to get sites ready for development, and working to grow manufacturing capacity and skills capability.

Our activities will be driven by our values, which are:

Trust - We prioritise safety, we act responsibly and with integrity.

Collaborative - We work as a team; we value expertise.

Challenge - We are curious and courageous in the way we think and act.

Care - We are thoughtful, inclusive and respectful of others.

Drive - We get things done and we make a difference.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can assist.

Job Profile

Senior Project Managers (SPMs) will develop and implement the integrated project delivery model, governance, management arrangements, and delivery plans, as well as manage the successful delivery of all project activities within delegated authority and reporting into project governance. Within the early phases of the SMR Project the main areas of scope for SPMs will be managing nuclear power station delivery, enabling works, site characterisation, associated developments, and major permissions and consents. The Project Management team will also work closely with all aspects of the SMR Project delivery i.e. Commercial and Technical teams.

The purpose of this role is to provide leadership to major projects, ensuring their management from inception to completion. The Senior Project Manager will work with multiple stakeholders both internal and external to ensure the project is completed to the agreed scope, time, budget, against the required nuclear industry quality standards, in a safe manner, and in line with the intended objectives and benefits.

You will form part of the establishment of a major programme. This will provide you with an opportunity to be part of a team that ensures successful delivery of a First of a Kind (FOAK) UK SMR Project. Whilst this is a fast-paced and exciting challenge, you will need to be comfortable with uncertainty, ambiguity and change.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement comprehensive project plans, defining scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk management strategies.
2. Facilitate regular review sessions to ensure project strategies remain aligned with evolving project needs and stakeholder expectations.
3. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation to ensure transparency and compliance with governance requirements, facilitating audits and reviews.
4. Actively manage the budget throughout the relevant processes and escalate and manage risks as they arise.
5. Utilize forecasting techniques and scenario analysis to anticipate financial risks, enabling timely budget adjustments and mitigation strategies.
6. Ensure any changes in scope are communicated to stakeholders promptly and managed through a formal change control process to prevent scope creep.
7. Develop risk mitigation plans and contingency strategies to address resource constraints and ensure continuous project progress.
8. Prepare interactive reports using digital tools (e.g., Power BI) to provide stakeholders with real-time access to project status, budget health, and risk assessments.
9. Collaborate with the wider SMR Project team (e.g. Commercial) to manage suppliers and contracts successfully, and to address any issues proactively to ensure that all SMR Project obligations are met.
10. Ensure timely updates are provided to key internal stakeholders through periodic status meetings and progress reports.
11. Communicate with statutory, legal and local authorities, associations, and contractors to maintain and promote a positive SMR Project image.
12. Work closely with regulatory bodies to secure licenses and approvals, managing compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
13. Negotiate and administer relevant project agreements with outside parties, including local authorities, developers, and wider stakeholder groups.
14. Develop resource management plans that anticipate future project needs, ensuring timely recruitment or reallocation of resources.
15. Implement and manage quality control measures, along with regular quality audits and peer reviews, to ensure adherence to engineering standards, nuclear industry regulatory compliance and safety requirements.
16. Lead by example in demonstrating integrity, transparency, and ethical behaviour in all dealings with clients, stakeholders, and team members.
17. Promote a collaborative culture within multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment on project goals and efficient problem-solving.
18. Implement regular team-building activities and alignment workshops to strengthen cross-functional collaboration and adherence to safety standards.
19. Ensure team members adhere to updated nuclear industry standards and safety protocols and stay up to date on evolving project management methodologies and best practices, through attending relevant training and development.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

1. Experience working within large-scale energy projects, ideally within nuclear projects or highly regulated power fields.
2. Experience in dealing with complex regulatory environments, including knowledge of nuclear safety standards and licensing processes.
3. Proven ability to lead and manage large, multidisciplinary teams in highly technical and safety-critical environments.
4. Strong understanding of nuclear industry regulations and safety requirements impacting project management.
5. Excellent problem-solving abilities, with a focus on identifying and mitigating risks in complex systems.
6. Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
7. Ability to foster a collaborative and supportive environment, whilst developing team members’ skills and capabilities.
8. To have the capability to embrace change and uncertainty and welcome the emergent aspect of the job.
9. Ability to lead in a collaborative, multi-party environment at pace.
10. Proven track record of leading by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour.
11. Experience working within a startup or similar innovative environment, showcasing adaptability and comfort with uncertainty is desirable.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
2. Professional Project management qualification e.g. APM PMQ or PMI equivalent.
3. Chartered Member of a relevant professional body.