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)