Project Manager

Airbus; Leiden; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus Netherlands B.V. is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead project delivery within the Airbus Netherlands portfolio.

You will report to the Director of Operations and manage a team of about 5-15, guiding proposals, plans, and resource allocation throughout the project lifecycle. Ideal candidates have hands-on leadership in technical environments, strong communication skills in English and Dutch, and a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 2-5+ years of experience as a project lead/manager in a technical environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English; Dutch preferred (verbal and written).
• Academic or HBO degree with technical background.

Responsibilities

• Prepares, coordinates, and content of proposals for new contract opportunities.
• Develops and maintains the overall project plan including scope, WBS, schedule and budget.
• Ensures resource availability and leads a 5-15 person project team.
• Monitors performance and drives risk, cost, quality, and schedule control.
• Negotiates changes with clients and maintains strong stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Aerospace domain

English proficiency

Dutch language

Education

Technical degree (Academic/HBO)

Job description

Job Description: Sr Project Manager We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead the realisation of projects within the project portfolio of Airbus Netherlands. In this role, you will report to the Director of Operations. You will lead a team of approximately 5-15 employees operationally.

Company description Airbus Netherlands makes a vital contribution to the international Space industry in our current operational areas of Solar Arrays, Launcher Structures, Instruments & Systems. In these fields we belong to the World top and seek to maintain the same level with future products and services. Our focus is to be a reliable partner that contributes to the success of our clients’ missions in a solution-driven and targeted manner. Airbus Netherlands designs and builds structures for European launchers serving the commercial and institutional satellite markets. The combination of our long heritage and continually expanding expertise has equipped us with the capability to meet the rapidly changing demands in this field. The company also plays a crucial role on a variety of missions funded by ESA, NASA and commercial institutions to design and develop Solar Arrays used to power satellites, spacecraft and their payloads.

Key responsibilities

• Is responsible for the preparation, coordination, and content of proposals for new contract opportunities.
• Develops, defines, maintains, and executes the overall project plan, including scope, work breakdown structure, schedule, processes, procedures, risk management, resource planning, and budget control.
• Ensures the availability of the required resources and maintains a motivated, effective, and high-performing project team in alignment with organizational objectives.
• Establishes and maintains clear project agreements and deliverables with Work Package Managers (WPMs) and other core project team members.
• Monitors and controls project performance with respect to schedule, cost, quality, scope, and risk, ensuring achievement of project objectives and optimization of project results.
• Is accountable for maximizing project profitability through effective cost control, risk mitigation, and identification of revenue opportunities.
• Provides regular and accurate project reporting to management and clients, ensuring timely identification, escalation, and resolution of deviations from the project plan.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement in business processes, working methods, efficiency, and cost effectiveness, and drives implementation in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Is responsible for the identification, assessment, documentation, and management of project changes and their impact on scope, schedule, budget, and contractual obligations.
• Leads negotiations with clients regarding change requests and ensures alignment on contractual, technical, commercial, and operational implications.
• Builds and maintains strong client relationships and acts as the primary point of contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identifies commercial opportunities within existing projects and across the wider business environment and actively supports business growth initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Internal: With direct colleagues to achieve work alignment between work units and departments and to create and maintain support within the team. With management in case of escalation of project issues.
• External: With the client, subcontractors and partners to discuss project progress and results, coordinate and negotiate conflicting interests.

Profile of our ideal candidate

• Hands‑on experience of managing a multifunction team in a technical environment, preferably in the aerospace or similar domain.
• Strong understanding of technical systems, processes, and/or infrastructure.
• Strong focus on quality, and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, developers, and technicians.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to inspire and guide individuals towards common goals, in line with Airbus values.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey information and actively listen to others.
• Strong team player with awareness of own and others’ emotions (emotional intelligence).
• Open to change and able to adapt to new situations and evolving environments.

Requirements

• Academic or HBO degree (technical background preferred)
• 2-5+ years of experience as a project lead/manager in a technical environment
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English and preferably Dutch (verbal and written)
• Available 40 hours per week.
• Residency in the Netherlands

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Contract Type: Fixed term

Experience Level: Professional

Job Family: Programme & Project Management

Company: Airbus Netherlands B.V.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all.

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

We support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking. Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.