The Role
The Junior Project Manager will manage contractual and supplier relationships for the delivery of telescope construction-related network and computing hardware products via a portfolio of Framework and Master Services Agreements, in conjunction with SKAO permanent team members.
The role is a 2½‑year fixed‑term position based at the SKAO Global Headquarters in Jodrell Bank, UK.
Benefits include 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and relocation support (if applicable), regular social events, a family‑friendly environment and more.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
- Manage the delivery of hardware products and related services through to successful completion, complying with relevant legislation, SKAO policies and frameworks.
- Actively manage budget, schedule, changes, reviews, risks and issues and perform regular reporting and variance analysis within SKAO’s governance framework aligned with the Low and Mid telescope delivery schedules.
- Where contracts are not yet awarded or up for renewal, conduct rigorous tender, evaluation and selection processes, complying with organisational policies to select suppliers that best meet project and organisational requirements.
- Ensure that the deliverables from these contracts and the work of internal teams are integrated into the project‑level tools and systems.
- Assess programmatic and reputational risks associated with contracts, recommend appropriate actions to senior managers and implement and report on agreed actions.
- Take prompt action to resolve any problems in accordance with the terms of the contract, including negotiating and managing contract variances.
- Maintain an effective governance and control environment with contractors to ensure alignment to the business case and data integrity, taking corrective actions when needed.
- Undertake contract quality reviews and audits to identify, assess and mitigate risks to project success.
- Lead and coordinate efforts across the internal matrix organisation, including project control, engineers, procurement specialists, assurance and operations staff, to guide and support contractors with all applicable processes.
- Set task objectives and monitor performance, feeding back to team members and their functional or line managers or supplier representatives to ensure necessary skills and understanding, coaching more junior colleagues as appropriate.
- Provide advice to senior management or senior programme/project leaders to support change through understanding and insight to impact overall programme/project performance.
- Review and interpret programme and project management related policies or processes, develop and recommend changes and provide advice to colleagues to ensure effective implementation.
- Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders/customers to gain buy‑in and support effective collaboration.
- Undertake continuing professional development to maintain the ability to manage deliveries, according to the evolution of the profession and the evolving needs of the project itself.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Degree qualified (Computer Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies) or equivalent experience.
- Experience in project delivery, including technical delivery of complex network and computing and IT projects in multi‑national, multi‑disciplinary matrixed environments.
- Knowledge/experience in contract management and associated procedures and processes, with the ability to agree and shape ways of working for a particular project environment.
- Ability to monitor, plan and manage an agreed budget within a defined area, producing reports, analysis and forecasts.
- Ability to provide team leadership for a geographically dispersed, multi‑cultural team working across several time‑zones.
- Ability to organise own work and plan ahead for others.
- Ability to develop and review project plans taking account of business and customer requirements and reconciling competing demands.
- Experience in informal and formal communications influencing across different levels of the business, including senior management, suppliers and stakeholders to influence behaviour.
- Proficient user of web‑based tools and services used in the delivery of complex projects, including scheduling, financial, configuration, collaboration and risk tools.
- Financial and budgetary planning and management skills; ability to agree resources for a defined area as part of forward planning, monitoring progress and adjusting resources or priorities to meet goals.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Post‑graduate qualification in management, computing, IT or business.
- End‑to‑end IT project lifecycle experience including mobilisation, delivery, transition to operations and project closure.
- Membership or certification in a project management or related professional body (e.g. PMI’s PMP, APM’s PMQ, SAFe or Prince 2 Agile).
- Industry experience and/or a track record in successful collaboration with industry.
- Experience using enterprise‑level tools and applications, e.g. contract management tools (CEMAR), planning and scheduling tools (Primavera P6), collaboration tools (Confluence, Jira, Miro), Microsoft and Google office suite applications.
- Systems integration experience or experience of working within a software team (design, build, test).
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
We aim to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under‑represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcomes all candidates, especially those from member countries.
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