Senior Project Manager (Fixed Term Contract until March 2028)

FocalPoint; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

8% matched pension contribution

Vitality Healthcare (mental health, E전

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield health

Professional memberships & career dev

25 days annual leave and holidays

3x extra holidays

Share Scheme

Monthly staff socials

Hybrid working

Job summary

FocalPoint is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join the Operations team in Cambridge. You will lead day-to-day delivery across engineering teams using Agile methodologies, coordinating with commercial teams and senior leadership to maintain project control.

You will report to the Head of Operations, build a data-driven project function, manage risks, and shape governance and reporting while supporting a 40-hour week schedule. This is a fixed-term maternity cover.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management in engineering/technical environments (ideally software).
• Formal training in delivery management methodologies (PRINCE2, PMP, PMQ).
• Experience setting up/participating in a programme management function.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery across engineering teams using Agile methodologies, from planning through to milestones.
• Manage dependencies, risks and issues, escalating when needed to enable delivery.
• Ensure Engineering and Commercial teams have regular forums and clear ownership of actions.
• Coordinate communications, trials and product shipments within Operations.
• Provide programme reporting and insight to the Head of Operations to demonstrate project control.
• Help mature the project management function, governance and reporting processes.

Skills

Agile delivery

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Portfolio reporting

Governance

Clear communication

Education

Relevant certifications (PRINCE2/PMP/PMQ)

Tools

PRINCE2

PMI PMP

Job description

• As an experienced Senior Project Manager in our Operations team, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating the day-to-day delivery of FocalPoint’s products and keeping our engineering and commercial teams aligned
• Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will lead delivery for our engineering teams using Agile methodologies, drive coordination across functions, and help build a project management function that uses meaningful data to demonstrate project control
• This is a dynamic, collaborative and highly visible position. You will keep work moving across the organisation, communicate confidently with senior leaders, proactively problem solve and help shape the processes, reporting and governance that underpin how we deliver
• This role is a maternity cover for the current Senior Project Manager from December 2026 to March 2028
• Lead day-to-day delivery across our engineering teams using Agile methodologies, from planning and prioritisation through to milestones
• Manage dependencies, risks and issues, escalating where necessary so our teams can deliver
• Ensure Engineering and Commercial (and/or relevant teams) have, regular effective forums and clear ownership of actions
• Work closely within the Operations team to oversee and coordinate communication effectiveness, coordination processes, customer trials, and product shipments
• Build, mature and provide programme reporting and insight to the Head of Operations, using delivery data to demonstrate project control
• Help build and mature the project management function, improving processes, governance and reporting
• Stay up to date on industry-leading methodologies and tools
• Hours of work: Full time, 40 hours per week
• Length: Fixed Term Contract until March 2028

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 8% matched pension contribution
• Vitality Healthcare (also includes mental health cover, employee assistance programme, dental, hearing and optical cover, and more)
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance
• Professional memberships & career development
• 25 days annual leave and bank holidays on top. Our Cambridge, Bristol and US hubs are closed over Christmas break
• 3x extra days holiday up to a maximum of 10 additional days, each year after 3 years
• Share Scheme
• Monthly staff socials
• Hybrid working approach

Recent hands-on experience of Agile delivery across more than one team5+ years’ project management experience in an engineering or technical environment, ideally software. We welcome applicants with Operational, Commercial and Engineering backgroundsFormal training in delivery management methodologies e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, PMQExperience in a project or programme function that used meaningful data to demonstrate project control, and in improving the processes and governance behind itConfident engaging senior executives, with the judgement to know when to challenge constructively, to hold a position and when to escapeConfident coordinating across teams and functions to keep work movingExcellent communication skills, both verbal and writtenAble to work autonomously and pick up a live portfolio quicklyExperience setting up, or being part of setting up, a programme management functionExperience working in a start-up/ scale-up environmentExposure to commercial or customer-facing teams, such as aligning delivery with customer commitments