Senior Project Manager

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead IT projects from planning through delivery, coordinating cross-functional teams and external contractors to meet scope, time and budget targets.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, proven IT project experience, and strong leadership, communication and risk-management skills. Hybrid working from Derby, Manchester or Warrington with occasional international travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Management or related field
• Professional certification (e.g. Prince 2, PMP, MSP) or equivalent
• Experience of managing IT project delivery including systems, software, or infrastructure projects
• Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, Jira, ServiceNow, Trello)
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Adaptable and resilient in fast-paced environments
• High-level organizational and analytical skills

Responsibilities

• Define project scope, goals and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders
• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, resource estimates and risk strategies
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget
• Monitor and report project performance to executives and sponsors
• Identify dependencies and critical paths; manage risks and changes
• Maintain project documentation in governance-compliant manner
• Communicate with stakeholders to manage expectations and outcomes
• Ensure quality reviews and readiness assessments are conducted

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk management

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/IT/Business Management

Tools

MS Project

Jira

ServiceNow

Trello

Job description

Senior Project Manager

Location: Hybrid, based from one of our offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

About Us

Rolls‑Royce SMR is here to transform how nuclear energy is delivered—cleaner, faster and at global scale. Our teams are developing one of the world’s most advanced small modular reactors, helping secure affordable, low‑carbon energy for generations to come. We’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once-in-a-career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

Role Summary

The Senior Project Manager is accountable for planning, executing and finalising IT projects according to strict deadlines and within budget. This includes acquiring resource and co‑ordinating the efforts of team members and third‑party contractors or consultants to deliver projects according to the plan. The Project Manager – IT will also define project objectives and oversee quality control throughout its lifecycle.

What we’ll need you to do

• Define project scope, goals and deliverables that support the business objectives in collaboration with stakeholders
• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, resource estimates and risk management strategies
• Manage project execution by leading cross-functional teams and ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget
• Monitor and report project performance to key stakeholders, including executives and sponsors
• Identify and manage project dependencies and critical path
• Proactively manage risks, issues and changes in project scope, schedule and costs
• Maintain project documentation in compliance with governance standards
• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring needs are met and expectations managed
• Support benefits realisation and post-project reviews to capture lessons learned
• Take full responsibility for the definition, approach, facilitation and satisfactory completion of medium‑scale projects
• Provide effective leadership to the project team, adopting suitable project management methods and tools
• Manages change control processes and assesses risks, ensuring projects align with governance frameworks and business priorities
• Communicate regularly with stakeholders, ensuring project deliverables meet agreed standards, budgets and timelines
• Ensures project and product quality reviews occur on schedule and according to procedure
• Proactively monitor performance metrics, implementing preventive and corrective actions as needed
• Conduct readiness assessments to assess the size, nature and impact of organisational change
• Define tactics to use considering the challenges to be addressed
• Provides guidance and makes suggestions to support individuals responsible for operational implementation of change management activities
• Gather feedback to analyse the impact and effectiveness of the change management activities being deployed
• Takes corrective action as required
• Develop and communicate tailored change management plans
• Establishes and builds relationships with the project sponsors and key stakeholders

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Management or related field
• Professional certification (eg Prince 2, PMP, MSP, or equivalent)
• Experience of managing IT project delivery, including systems, software, or infrastructure projects
• Proficiency with project management tools (eg MS Project, Jira, ServiceNow, Trello)
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Adaptable and resilient in fast‑paced, changing environments
• High-level of organisational and analytical skills

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be based in Derby, Manchester or Warrington, with flexibility to work between home and the office depending on business needs. There may be some international travel required on an ad hoc basis.

What’s in It for You

• A salary between £50,600.00 - £66,500.00, £2,200 benefit allowance, 12.5% bonus opportunity, 6x pensionable life assurance, 50% income protection, 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, and a £250 new‑joiner payment—alongside opportunities for development and progression.
• Pay Range: £60,000.00 - £78,750.00

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a competency‑based interview and may be asked to provide evidence of document management capability. This role requires BPSS checks as part of our onboarding process.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. We’re happy to discuss reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and offer flexible or part‑time working where possible.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Why Join Us?

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
• Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Our Application Process

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check

Rolls‑Royce SMR Overview

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR, a career with unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission. Each Rolls‑Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low‑carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years. With its Rolls‑Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future. We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths‑based organisation.

Our Culture

Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work you love. We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls‑Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents. We are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge.

Rewards and Benefits

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands. Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance.

Your career journey

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls‑Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.