Project Manager – UK Defence Sector
Location: Huddersfield (Hybrid)
Permanent | Full-time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday–Friday)
Shape Complex Defence Projects from Start to Finish
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Project Manager to join our UK Defence business. In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of the successful delivery of complex, long-duration projects — ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and fully aligned with contractual and technical requirements.
Working at the heart of the business, you will collaborate across multiple functions and engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in a structured yet fast-paced environment and enjoys managing complexity.
Key Responsibilities
As Project Manager, you will act as the Project Owner, maintaining full accountability for project execution and delivery throughout the entire lifecycle.
Project Leadership & Execution
- Lead the delivery of one or more complex projects, ensuring alignment to scope, schedule, and budget
- Drive performance against established product, project, and contract baselines
- Maintain clear ownership and accountability for project outcomes
Contract & Deliverables Management
- Ensure all contractual obligations and deliverables are achieved
- Monitor progress against milestones and proactively address deviations
Planning & Governance
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute robust Project Management Plans
- Ensure governance frameworks and controls are adhered to throughout delivery
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders
- Tailor communication styles to suit stakeholder needs, influence, and expectations
- Build trust through transparency, clarity, and consistency
Risk & Opportunity Management
- Identify, assess, and manage project risks and opportunities
- Implement mitigation strategies and maximise opportunities where possible
Change Control
- Lead structured change management processes
- Ensure all changes are captured, assessed, and effectively controlled
Financial Oversight
- Manage forecasting and support achievement of cash milestone payments
- Partner with Finance to track and report project financial performance
Issue Resolution
- Proactively identify and resolve project issues
- Minimise impact to scope, schedule, and cost
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Track project performance, including dependencies, assumptions, and critical path
- Produce clear, data-driven reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders
Relationship Building
- Foster strong, collaborative relationships across project teams and stakeholder groups
- Promote a positive, solution-focused team culture
What You’ll Bring
We are looking for someone who combines technical understanding with strong leadership and organisational capability.
Experience & Knowledge
- Proven experience in Project Management (formal qualification desirable)
- Background in Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing environments preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Project
- SAP knowledge advantageous but not essential
Core Competencies
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong organisational ability with excellent time management
- Confidence managing multiple priorities simultaneously
- Resilience and adaptability within a challenging, fast-paced environment
- Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capability
Leadership Qualities
- Integrity and accountability
- Collaborative approach with the ability to influence and guide others
- Skilled in conflict resolution and decision-making
- Emotionally intelligent, with the ability to adapt communication styles effectively
Why Join?
You will be joining a globally recognised engineering organisation with a heritage spanning nearly 300 years, delivering high-performance mechanical power transmission solutions across the defence, marine, industrial, and energy sectors.
With 24 locations worldwide and more than 1,200 employees, the business combines deep engineering expertise with global manufacturing capability — supporting some of the world’s most demanding and mission-critical applications.
This is your opportunity to:
- Work on impactful, high-value defence projects
- Collaborate with experienced professionals across multiple disciplines
- Grow your career within a structured and supportive environment
- Be part of a business with a strong legacy and a forward-looking approach to innovation
Important Information
Due to the sensitive nature of work within the defence sector:
- Candidates must have the right to work in the UK
- Successful applicants must be able to obtain the required security clearance
Project Manager – UK Defence Sector
Location: Huddersfield (Hybrid)
Permanent | Full-time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday–Friday)
Shape Complex Defence Projects from Start to Finish
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Project Manager to join our UK Defence business. In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of the successful delivery of complex, long-duration projects — ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and fully aligned with contractual and technical requirements.
Working at the heart of the business, you will collaborate across multiple functions and engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in a structured yet fast-paced environment and enjoys managing complexity.
Key Responsibilities
As Project Manager, you will act as the Project Owner, maintaining full accountability for project execution and delivery throughout the entire lifecycle.
Project Leadership & Execution
- Lead the delivery of one or more complex projects, ensuring alignment to scope, schedule, and budget
- Drive performance against established product, project, and contract baselines
- Maintain clear ownership and accountability for project outcomes
Contract & Deliverables Management
- Ensure all contractual obligations and deliverables are achieved
- Monitor progress against milestones and proactively address deviations
Planning & Governance
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute robust Project Management Plans
- Ensure governance frameworks and controls are adhered to throughout delivery
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders
- Tailor communication styles to suit stakeholder needs, influence, and expectations
- Build trust through transparency, clarity, and consistency
Risk & Opportunity Management
- Identify, assess, and manage project risks and opportunities
- Implement mitigation strategies and maximise opportunities where possible
Change Control
- Lead structured change management processes
- Ensure all changes are captured, assessed, and effectively controlled
Financial Oversight
- Manage forecasting and support achievement of cash milestone payments
- Partner with Finance to track and report project financial performance
Issue Resolution
- Proactively identify and resolve project issues
- Minimise impact to scope, schedule, and cost
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Track project performance, including dependencies, assumptions, and critical path
- Produce clear, data-driven reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders
Relationship Building
- Foster strong, collaborative relationships across project teams and stakeholder groups
- Promote a positive, solution-focused team culture
What You’ll Bring
We are looking for someone who combines technical understanding with strong leadership and organisational capability.
Experience & Knowledge
- Proven experience in Project Management (formal qualification desirable)
- Background in Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing environments preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Project
- SAP knowledge advantageous but not essential
Core Competencies
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong organisational ability with excellent time management
- Confidence managing multiple priorities simultaneously
- Resilience and adaptability within a challenging, fast-paced environment
- Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capability
Leadership Qualities
- Integrity and accountability
- Collaborative approach with the ability to influence and guide others
- Skilled in conflict resolution and decision-making
- Emotionally intelligent, with the ability to adapt communication styles effectively
Why Join?
You will be joining a globally recognised engineering organisation with a heritage spanning nearly 300 years, delivering high-performance mechanical power transmission solutions across the defence, marine, industrial, and energy sectors.
With 24 locations worldwide and more than 1,200 employees, the business combines deep engineering expertise with global manufacturing capability — supporting some of the world’s most demanding and mission-critical applications.
This is your opportunity to:
- Work on impactful, high-value defence projects
- Collaborate with experienced professionals across multiple disciplines
- Grow your career within a structured and supportive environment
- Be part of a business with a strong legacy and a forward-looking approach to innovation
Important Information
Due to the sensitive nature of work within the defence sector:
- Candidates must have the right to work in the UK
- Successful applicants must be able to obtain the required security clearance
…