Senior Project Manager - Construction

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9‑day fortnight

Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Job summary

Atomic Weapons Establishment is seeking a Senior Project Manager – Construction to lead complex nuclear and infrastructure projects between Reading and Basingstoke. The role offers a 9‑day working fortnight, generous annual leave, and hybrid options, with site-based duties where needed.

You will manage safety, regulatory compliance and performance reporting, while developing leaders and ensuring value delivery in a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience guiding project managers and cross‑functional teams.
• Expertise in delivering CDM construction projects across major infrastructure and refurbishments.
• Solid capability in Earned Value Management, schedules, data and drawings to inform decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex construction and nuclear projects with robust governance and safety.
• Deliver projects against time, cost, quality and safety targets.
• Develop and motivate project leaders and cross‑functional teams.
• Maintain high standards in safety, security, environmental performance and quality.
• Influence across functions to shape and deliver operational plans.
• Provide clear project performance reporting to senior leadership.

Skills

Earned Value Management

Schedule interpretation

Technical drawings

Stakeholder management

Education

Construction-related qualification

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Construction

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: From £70,000 (depending on suitability, qualifications & level of experience).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9‑day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application. These are site‑based roles, with hybrid options available, subject to demand & project needs.

Responsibilities

• Leading complex construction and nuclear projects with robust governance, safety and regulatory compliance.
• Delivering to strict time, cost, quality and safety targets while supporting AWE’s mission.
• Developing and motivating project leaders and cross‑functional teams.
• Maintaining high standards in safety, security, environmental performance and quality.
• Influencing across functions to shape and deliver operational plans.
• Providing clear, accurate project performance reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensuring alignment with WADs, requirements, sanctioned artefacts and the PMB.
• Applying proven NEC3/4 project delivery experience.
• Managing people, budgets and equipment effectively, balancing workload and priorities.
• Holding teams accountable for delivery and performance.
• Leading risk, change and opportunity management to maintain control and maximise value.
• Driving continuous improvement across project delivery.

We’d welcome applications from those with:

• Proven leadership experience, within infrastructure sector, guiding project managers and cross‑functional teams in complex environments while motivating people, building morale and translating strategy into practical delivery plans.
• Expertise in delivering CDM construction projects across major infrastructure, industrial builds, modular construction and refurbishments, supported by a relevant construction‑related qualification.
• Solid technical capability, including Earned Value Management, interpreting schedules, data and technical drawings and using analysis to inform decisions.
• Ability to build effective internal and external relationships, understand stakeholder needs and turn them into actionable plans.

Benefits

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.

The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.

We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.

Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.

We are an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award Employer.