SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Up to £80,000 per annum - UNDERWATER/SUBSEA SYSTEMS - SC CLEARED - YATELEY, HAMPSHIRE - PERMANENT - SECTOR: DEFENCE / SUBSEA
MERITUS are working with a specialist defence technology organisation at the forefront of next-generation underwater capability development.
Operating across highly complex defence programmes, they deliver advanced integrated solutions supporting autonomous and increasingly automated underwater platforms for global defence customers.
They are now seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead high-value defence projects through the full lifecycle - from concept and requirements definition through to delivery, acceptance and customer handover.
This is an opportunity to work directly with cutting-edge defence technologies and industry-leading technical partners, helping deliver mission-critical capability into operational environments.
The Role
As Senior Project Manager, you will take ownership of complex defence equipment and capability delivery programmes, ensuring projects are delivered:
On time
Within budget
To contractual and technical quality standards
In line with customer and regulatory expectationsYou will work closely with internal engineering teams, subcontractors, defence customers and senior stakeholders to drive successful programme execution across multiple concurrent workstreams.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and manage detailed project plans, milestones and delivery schedules
Monitor programme performance and implement corrective action where required
Manage project budgets, forecasting and commercial performance
Identify, assess and mitigate programme risks using formal risk management processes
Coordinate subcontractors and external SME delivery against contractual commitments
Lead project governance reviews, status reporting and stakeholder communication
Manage contract change requests, amendments and variations
Support bid and proposal activity including planning, costing and resource forecasting
Build strong long-term customer relationships across defence stakeholders
Mentor project teams and promote project management best practice across the business
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
Proven experience delivering complex defence or engineering programmes
Strong full lifecycle project delivery experience (concept through delivery)
Experience operating within V-Model delivery environments
Strong understanding of gated project governance / stage-gate delivery
Budget ownership, forecasting and commercial oversight experience
Strong stakeholder management across technical and commercial functions
Experience managing third-party suppliers / subcontractors
Strong risk and issue management capability
Excellent communication and leadership skills
Desirable
Previous underwater, maritime, sonar, subsea, autonomy or naval systems experience
Experience supporting defence bids / capture activity
Business case development experience
Formal PM qualification (PRINCE2, APM PMQ, PMP)
Salary description
£70000.00 - £80000.00 per year