Job Description
Project Manager
Department: DefenceLocation: Colchester
A leading UK-based engineering and manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join its division.
The business designs, tests, certifies, and manufactures advanced manufacturing solutions for a wide range of industrial and life-critical applications.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and results-driven Project Manager to play a key role in delivering complex, strategically important UK Defence contracts. The role sits within a dedicated and high-performing team focused on ensuring on-time, right-first-time project delivery.
You will be accountable for the end-to-end execution of projects, including supporting bids for new opportunities. Success in this role will require close collaboration with a multifunctional organisation, strong customer and supplier engagement, and a proven ability to manage delivery against cost, quality, and schedule.
The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic self-starter, a strong team player, and a confident communicator with the drive to deliver positive change. Regular travel within the UK will be required.
Key Responsibilities
* Act as the primary point of contact for key customers, building and maintaining strong, effective working relationships
* Lead commercial and technical discussions with customers and internal stakeholders
* Review, interpret, and manage complex contracts, statements of work, and commercial agreements
* Ensure projects comply with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and internal governance
* Align project execution with contract requirements and business objectives
* Define project scope, goals, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with senior stakeholders
* Develop and maintain detailed project plans, budgets, resource schedules, risk registers, and change logs
* Apply appropriate project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid) based on project context
* Lead cross-functional teams, manage dependencies, and resolve issues and conflicts
* Proactively manage risks, escalations, and strategic challenges
* Provide clear, accurate project status reporting to senior management and executive stakeholders
* Drive project reviews, post-implementation assessments, and lessons-learned activities
* Mentor and support junior Project Managers
* Make decisions with financial, legal, and strategic impact
This role may evolve in line with business needs, market conditions, and project requirements.
Essential Experience & Qualifications
* Proven experience working within the Defence industry
* Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred)
* Minimum of 7 years’ project management experience, including at least 3 years in a senior role
* Demonstrable experience managing large, complex, multi-million-pound projects
* Strong track record of managing external customers, suppliers, and vendor contracts
* Experience working closely with legal and procurement teams on commercial agreements
* Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent)
* Willingness to travel regularly across the UK