Senior Project Manager / Lead

Innovate Recruitment Ltd; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Chelmsford is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager / Lead to oversee R&D and customer-funded projects. This role involves hands-on leadership and strategic oversight to ensure project delivery aligns with organizational goals. Candidates should possess extensive experience in managing engineering projects and strong communication skills. This position requires proficiency in project management tools and a background in recognized methodologies. Applicants must be UK Nationals with security clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing engineering projects through the full lifecycle.
• Proven ability to energise teams to meet demanding timescales.
• Strong customer management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide a team of Project Managers.
• Manage complex, R&D and product-based projects.
• Build and maintain strong customer and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Project lifecycle management

Team energizing

Customer management

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Qualification in project management methodologies (APM, PRINCE2, PMP)

Tools

Microsoft Project

Project Server

SAP

Job description

Overview

Senior Project Manager / Lead
Location: Chelmsford

Please note: Due to the nature of certain projects, applicants must be UK Nationals and eligible for, or already holding, security clearance.

We are seeking an experienced and results–driven Senior Project Manager / Lead to take ownership of delivering strategic R&D and customer–funded projects. This role combines hands–on programme leadership with strategic oversight, ensuring successful outcomes that align with customer expectations, commercial goals, and organisational priorities.

You will lead a team of Project Managers, working across a matrixed environment with senior stakeholders, engineering teams, and commercial functions to enable high–quality delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and guide a team of Project Managers, fostering a high–performance, delivery–focused culture.
• Manage complex, cross–functional R&D and product–based projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Collaborate with engineering leadership to align project plans, resources, and milestones.
• Build and maintain strong customer and stakeholder relationships, ensuring clear communication of goals, risks, and progress.
• Champion project management best practices, governance, and tools across the portfolio.
• Develop and maintain project schedules using Microsoft Project, with reporting through Project Server and other PM tools.
• Coordinate timely Phase Gate Reviews and manage project scope, risks, and dependencies.
• Monitor budgets and financial performance, working with Finance to analyse forecasts and cost exposure.
• Present dashboards and performance updates to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Support sales and business development by contributing to bids and proposals.

Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience managing engineering projects through the full lifecycle, ideally with a focus on new product development.
• Proven ability to energise teams to meet demanding timescales.
• Strong customer management skills, with the ability to balance expectations and avoid scope creep.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across all levels.
• Strong problem–solving skills and sound judgement on when to escalate issues.
• Proficiency in project management tools such as MS Project and Project Server (or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of SAP is an advantage.
• Knowledge and qualification in recognised methodologies (APM Body of Knowledge, PRINCE2, PMP, or similar).