Senior Project Manager - DV Cleared
Defence | Hybrid (Reading-based) | Contract Role | Can be outside of scope of IR35 Status | Competitive Rate | Current DV clearance is essential
The Opportunity
We are currently looking for a Senior Project Manager on a contract basis to support a key defence client. These are dynamic roles focused on project and portfolio management at the Concept stage - working with complex defence initiatives from initiation through to structured handover for delivery.
Contract Details: Contract role (inside or outside IR35 negotiable) | Competitive rate | Hybrid working (1 day/week on-site at Reading location) |DV Clearance essential
You'll be responsible for supporting the full project initiation lifecycle, from identifying opportunities and developing business cases through to securing approvals and preparing projects for delivery. You'll work across portfolio controls, structured investment processes, and strategic programme development-supporting your defence client's portfolio entry and project initiation function.
This role suits experienced project professionals who understand government and defence delivery environments, can navigate complex approval processes, and thrive in structured, policy-driven project management frameworks.
What You'll Be Doing
Project Initiation & Portfolio Management
1. Support the initiation of projects and programmes using Portfolio Entry controls and structured business case development methods
2. Coordinate pre-Concept studies to explore business problems and opportunities
3. Develop early understanding of solution options to inform decision-making
4. Produce initial estimates for scope, schedule, and cost ranges
5. Recommend appropriate delivery methodologies for proposed initiatives
Strategic Planning & Business Cases
6. Analyse and break down complex problems to develop strategic proposals for Investment Approval
7. Produce business cases for complex and ambiguous problems
8. Prepare key initiation deliverables including Business Cases, Stakeholder Maps, and Project Categorisation Forms
9. Ensure alignment of proposed projects and programmes with overall portfolio strategy and priorities
10. Develop initial cost, schedule and resource estimates
Stakeholder Management & Approvals
11. Collaborate with stakeholders to gather inputs and validate assumptions
12. Represent project interests in approval forums and governance meetings
13. Secure approvals to proceed, including Standing Approval and initial resource allocation
14. Handover all completed deliverables to the Portfolio Entry team prior to exit
15. Manage stakeholder communication and expectation-setting throughout initiation
Programme Support
16. Work across multiple concurrent projects and programmes
17. Support portfolio decision-making and investment prioritisation
18. Contribute to refinement of portfolio management processes and controls
19. Escalate risks and issues appropriately through governance structures
About You
Essential Experience & Qualifications
20. Minimum 2 years' experience delivering projects at Concept stage
21. Proven experience delivering projects within Government environments (essential)
22. Strong project management fundamentals - familiar with structured project initiation processes
23. Government/defence procurement knowledge - understanding of business case development, gateway reviews, and portfolio controls
24. Excellent analytical skills - able to break down complex problems and develop strategic solutions
25. Strong communication - capable of producing clear, structured business documentation
26. Stakeholder management experience - comfortable working across multiple stakeholder groups at different levels
27. Meticulous attention to detail - accuracy matters in formal government documentation
28. Ability to work autonomously - comfortable taking ownership of workstreams with defined objectives
Desirable
29. Experience writing business cases for complex and ambiguous problems
30. Proposal management experience and/or professional chartership (APM, PMI or equivalent)
31. Demonstrable experience in Portfolio Management
32. PRINCE2 or equivalent formal project management qualification
33. Experience with government delivery models (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid)
34. Knowledge of defence procurement processes and security classification requirements
Security Vetting
Current DV clearance is essential
The Role in Practice
You'll work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 1 day per week on-site at the client location in Reading. Remaining days will be remote.
This is a contract role with flexible IR35 positioning depending on your circumstances.