Subcontract Lead

Authentica Advisory; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Authentica Advisory is seeking an experienced Project Manager to oversee delivery across subcontracts for a major British Army training programme. You will report to the Programme Director and ensure subcontract scope, budgets, schedules and performance are met, coordinating with external partners and internal teams to maintain progress.

You will combine project management with commercial oversight, guiding requirements through to completion while ensuring export compliance and strong

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage complex defence projects and subcontracted work packages.
• Track record coordinating multiple delivery partners to meet cost, schedule and performance goals.
• Strong planning, budgeting, risk management and change control capability.
• Ability to hold subcontractors accountable while fostering productive partnerships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills with stakeholders across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and delivery of all subcontracts to meet programme objectives and milestones.
• Collaborate with subcontractors to define requirements, deliverables and success measures.
• Track progress across scope, cost, schedule and performance; drive corrective actions as needed.
• Manage risks, issues, changes and dependencies across subcontracts; escalate where necessary.
• Chair progress reviews and provide clear reporting to the Programme Director and stakeholders.
• Coordinate technical, commercial and operational colleagues to resolve delivery blockers.
• Assist with bids, proposals and quotations; assess responses and negotiate terms and delivery commitments.
• Review invoices against milestones; manage supplier NDAs and subcontract matters.
• Ensure export obligations align with end-user certificates and ITAR/TAA requirements.

Skills

Defence PM

Subcontract mgmt

Budget & schedule

Risk & change

Stakeholder mgmt

Commercial awareness

Export obligations

Decision making

Education

Project management qualification

MCIPS

Job description

Working pattern: Hybrid - 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home

We’re looking for a Project Manager to oversee delivery across all subcontracts supporting a major British Army training programme. Reporting to the Programme Director, you’ll ensure each subcontract delivers to its agreed scope, budget, schedule and performance requirements.

You’ll bring together subcontractors and internal teams, coordinate delivery plans, manage dependencies and resolve issues to keep the wider programme on track.

This role combines project management with commercial oversight, taking responsibility for subcontract delivery from initial requirements through to completion.

What you’ll do

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of all subcontracts, ensuring they support the programme’s objectives and milestones.
• Work with subcontractors to agree clear requirements, deliverables, schedules and measures of success.
• Track progress against scope, cost, schedule and performance commitments, driving corrective action where needed.
• Manage risks, issues, changes and dependencies across subcontracts, escalating matters that could affect programme delivery.
• Chair progress reviews and provide clear reporting to the Programme Director and wider stakeholders.
• Coordinate technical, commercial and operational colleagues to resolve problems and keep delivery moving.
• Support requests for proposals and quotations, assess responses and lead negotiations on terms, pricing and delivery commitments.
• Review invoices against agreed milestones, manage supplier NDAs and advise colleagues on subcontract matters.
• Oversee export obligations in line with end-user certificates and applicable ITAR/TAA requirements.

What you’ll bring

• Strong experience managing complex projects or subcontracted work packages within a defence environment.
• A track record of coordinating multiple delivery partners and achieving agreed cost, schedule and performance outcomes.
• Confidence managing project plans, budgets, risks, dependencies and change.
• The ability to hold subcontractors accountable while building productive working relationships.
• Strong communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across different disciplines.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of subcontract terms, performance management and export obligations.
• A collaborative, organised approach and the resilience to manage competing priorities.

A project management qualification or MCIPS would be an advantage. A military background is not required.

If you’re motivated by bringing complex projects together and want to help shape the future of British Army training, we’d like to hear from you.