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
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Lead and guide a team of Project Managers, fostering a high-performance, delivery-focused culture.
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Manage complex, cross-functional R&D and product-based projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
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Collaborate with engineering leadership to align project plans, resources, and milestones.
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Build and maintain strong customer and stakeholder relationships, ensuring clear communication of goals, risks, and progress.
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Champion project management best practices, governance, and tools across the portfolio.
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Develop and maintain project schedules using Microsoft Project, with reporting through Project Server and other PM tools.
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Coordinate timely Phase Gate Reviews and manage project scope, risks, and dependencies.
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Monitor budgets and financial performance, working with Finance to analyse forecasts and cost exposure.
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Present dashboards and performance updates to the Senior Leadership Team.
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Support sales and business development by contributing to bids and proposals.
Skills & Experience
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Extensive experience managing engineering projects through the full lifecycle, ideally with a focus on new product development.
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Proven ability to energise teams to meet demanding timescales.
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Strong customer management skills, with the ability to balance expectations and avoid scope creep.
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Excellent communication and influencing skills across all levels.
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Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgement on when to escalate issues.
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Proficiency in project management tools such as MS Project and Project Server (or equivalent).
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Working knowledge of SAP is an advantage.
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Knowledge and qualification in recognised methodologies (APM Body of Knowledge, PRINCE2, PMP, or similar)