Flexible working: We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including part time
hours, compressed working patterns, and flexible start and finish times. GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt
Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from
At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a
As a Principal Project Manager, you will be responsible for delivering a variety of complex,
high-impact projects, taking them from initiation through to completion. every project, you will be trusted to shape the delivery approach, set expectations, guide multi-
disciplinary teams and keep projects moving forward in environments where priorities shift
whole projects or major elements of larger programmes, driving governance and assurance
activity, and writing and managing business cases that support informed decision-making.
The projects you lead will directly enable major organisational outcomes. span the full project lifecycle, planning, scheduling and coordinating; quality and benefits; and proactively controlling risk, issues, dependencies and change. Delivery methods will be tailored to each project to suit
Some projects will be led independently; In every case, you will be supported by a well-established project
management community, and the outcomes you deliver will have real-world impact across
The role also includes line management responsibilities, with opportunities
Occasional UK travel may be
You have a recognised project management qualification, such as the Association for Project
Management (APM) Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ), the APM Project
Management Qualification (PMQ), or an equivalent certification. GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above (including English and Mathematics), or equivalent Level 2
You have experience delivering projects across varied environments and are ready to take
foundations of project management, planning, reporting, financial tracking, risks, issues and
Your credibility, consistency and reliability help you build trust quickly across teams.
Experience delivering projects in environments such as agile delivery, digital or engineering
settings, Government Digital Service (GDS) frameworks, cyber security, or emerging
technologies (including artificial intelligence) would be beneficial, though not essential.
You bring qualities that define successful project managers at this level: flexibility in shifting
Training and development
A structured induction will help you understand our mission, ways of working, and the
delivery community you will be joining. and a dedicated buddy who will support your transition, build your confidence, and help you
Development continues through a blend of internal and external training, practical
experience, and community support. As a corporate member of the Association for Project
Management (APM), we encourage you to explore relevant courses, frameworks, and
Access to mentoring, coaching, regular career check-ins and project
management forums, will provide you with opportunities to share learning and strengthen
your professional network.
planning, risk, financials, reporting and benefits, as well as to build leadership capabilities
specialise in a particular area or progress into more senior project roles, guidance and
opportunities are in place to help you grow with confidence. active and generous project management community contributes to shared learning and
professional growth.
25 days annual leave, rising automatically to 30 days after 5 years
service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
an interest-free season ticket loan
an excellent pension scheme
a cycle to work scheme
facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
paid parental and adoption leave
At GCHQ, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. This includes diversity in every sense of
orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce, such as women, people from
ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic
Visit our website to find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity .
We are Disability Confident
GCHQ is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and
Pensions Disability Confident scheme. differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop
disabled people. As a Disability Confident organisation, we aim to ensure that a fair and
the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:
You must hold a minimum of four GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above, including English
Language and Mathematics, or equivalent Level 2 qualifications. You must hold a recognised project management qualification, such as the
Association for Project Management (APM) Project Fundamentals Qualification
(PFQ), the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ), or an equivalent
Experience delivering projects across varied environments, with accountability for
managing projects or significant workstreams.
Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) rating the appropriateness of your
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting
(It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take
This is good practice and will help you manage your application with us
consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we
We offer reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for candidates attending in-person
made in line with the Candidate Expenses Policy, as amended from time to time. must book their own travel, using the most economical option, and provide original hard copy
overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to begin your application.