Senior Project Manager

ZipRecruiter; Guildford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment platform is seeking a Senior Project Manager for a contract role focused on innovative space projects. This position involves driving project delivery, managing cross-functional teams, and engaging with a diverse customer base. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in project management within the space sector, along with expertise in financial management and communication. This is an outside IR35 contract with highly competitive rates.

Benefits

Highly competitive rates

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in Project Management within the space sector.
• Experience managing complex technical projects.
• Strong understanding of project financials and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle of projects from contract kick-off to ongoing operations.
• Manage schedules, deliverables, and risk throughout the project.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders for effective communication.

Skills

Project Management

Technical Project Management

Customer Engagement

Financial Management

Communication Skills

Team Leadership

Education

Degree in Engineering or Technical Discipline

Tools

Microsoft Project

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Job Description

Senior Project Manager | Space & Satellite | Contract | 6-12 months | Outside IR35

Are you ready to lead some of the world’s most innovative space projects? We’re seeking a proactive, passionate, and proven Project Manager to take the helm of mission-critical programmes for a diverse customer base – from institutional clients and defence agencies to commercial and export markets.

Join a fast-paced, collaborative environment where big ideas become real missions. You’ll lead a cross-functional team delivering complex projects across space and ground segments, launch campaigns, and in-orbit operations – and you’ll do it all backed by one of the most respected teams in the satellite industry.

Responsibilities:

You’ll be responsible for driving the full lifecycle of projects – from contract kick-off through design, development, delivery, launch, commissioning and ongoing operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading project delivery across engineering, commercial, financial, and operational functions.
• Managing schedules, deliverables, risk, and earned value using structured internal processes.
• Motivating and coordinating cross-functional teams to hit project milestones.
• Customer and stakeholder engagement across internal teams and external clients.
• Owning project reviews and securing milestone payments.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and tracking financial health of the programme.
• Supporting bids and business development with programmatic inputs.
• Translating technical scope into cost, schedule and risk implications.

Skills & Experience:

• Proven track record in Project Management, ideally within the space and satellite sector.
• Hands-on experience managing complex technical projects and interfacing with customers.
• Deep understanding of project financials, risk registers, schedules, and contract implementation.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and align multidisciplinary teams to deliver results.
• Skilled communicator – confident dealing with everyone from engineers to execs.
• A degree in engineering or a technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Expertise with Microsoft Project and MS Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience working in matrix management environments.
• Familiarity with commercial terms and product assurance.
• Capability to break down and structure work packages for efficient delivery.

What’s in it for you?

• Outside IR35 contract with highly competitive rates.