Project Manager

Are you an aspiring Project Manager? Are you looking to progress your career whilst supporting our UK’s armed forces? The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) have a fantastic opportunity at our Devonport site to join as a Project Manager.

What do Project Managers do in the SDA?

Project Managers are accountable leaders for making sure a project is delivered on time, on budget and within scope. Project Managers within the SDA are key to successful and timely delivery of safe and effective equipment to Front Line Commands and their service personnel. Every day we play a functional part of making this happen, and that is ultimately what is important.

The role involves working within our SDDI (Submarine Disposal and Devonport Infrastructure) team. This team is responsible for the disposal and decommissioning of old submarines, as well as creating future capability for maintaining upcoming submarines. They achieve this by constructing maintenance facilities for Astute Class submarines to undergo major service, replacing used or failed elements, and updating equipment with the latest technology.

Your role in this process will be involved in the Project Management activities of the Main Works Construction contract, ensuring compliance while supervising all construction activities. You will closely collaborate with the NEC (New Engineering Contract) Supervisor to fulfil all contractual duties. Additionally, you will provide strategic support to our supply chain partners, addressing cost, program, and quality challenges.

You will join a dynamic team which has been structured to not only provide individuals with both personal responsibility and ownership, but also a supportive environment in which they can experience all aspects of project delivery and grow into future roles. You will be supported by your manager and wider team to fulfil your potential and access to funded industry-recognised qualifications.

Working at Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, you will be able to witness first-hand the output of your project. All whilst utilising and developing your knowledge and experience in line with business needs to support our armed forces. If you have the pride, passion and commitment, with the drive to develop your skills and experience of leadership and delivering successful outcomes, then you will find yourself in good company in the SDA.

Please note the role requires full time site attendance.

What you’ll be doing

• Coordinate multi-disciplinary functions in managing a Control Account or simple projects demonstrating ability to lead as future managers.
• Develop and control all relevant project documentation from project plans, project schedules, status reports and risk registers to deliver specific project outputs within an established baseline, measuring progress via monthly drumbeat, explaining variances and taking corrective action.
• Support an open, honest, no blame culture, proactively highlighting failures and shortfalls
• Ensure their own compliance by having a clear understanding of their responsibilities in managing a Control Account or project and how this aligns within the broader governance framework.
• Conduct internal and external stakeholder analysis work to identify and understand stakeholder requirements, interests and influences or support in the development of these elements for control accounts.
• Understand and demonstrate the contractual obligations and the role of suppliers to meet a project's requirements.
• Manage risk, assumptions, issues, dependencies and opportunities for simple projects or support in the development of these elements for larger projects proactively engaging with Project Controls Function
• Maintain financial control, providing analysis in-line with the project schedule and WBS.
• Maintain project delivery within defined parameters through effective liaison with project controls.
• Proactively ensure the development of your career management plan

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Previous experience applying project management tools and techniques to contribute to successful project delivery outputs
• Contributing to project improvements or change

It would also benefit your application if you meet the following desirable criteria:

• Construction project experience, including an understanding of construction methods, and have working knowledge of construction contracts, ideally NEC3/4 ECC (Engineering Construction Contract).

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Controlling a Project (Supervised Practitioner)
• Project Risk (Supervised Practitioner)
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,800, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,396 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

o25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday

oMarket-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%

oAnnual performance-based bonus and recognition awards

oAccess to specialist training and funded qualifications

oSupport for progression

oHuge range of discounts

oVolunteering days

oEnhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.