Senior Project Manager

Ref: ZR_9316_JOB  ·  Posted on 11 May 2026

Introduction

Company cultures & job summary

 

Our client is a leading defence company delivering advanced research, development, and technical solutions to government and industry, with expertise across communications, sensors, and information assurance. They are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to support multiple defence projects, responsible for defining scope, planning, budgeting, managing resources, and leading teams to deliver complex hardware and software programmes. The role requires strong stakeholder management, risk control, and commercial awareness, working across the full project lifecycle to ensure successful delivery in a fast-paced, high-security environment.

 

This is a hybrid role with 3 days on site per week.

Key responsibilities
  • Take the lead on bids, working with technical and sales teams to put together strong, competitive proposals that meet what the client actually needs.
  • Keep bids and projects running to plan, making sure deadlines, budgets and quality standards are met in line with the contract.
  • Plan and manage delivery from start to finish, covering scope, resources, finances and key milestones.
  • Build and maintain good working relationships with clients, suppliers and internal teams to support smooth delivery.
  • Stay on top of risks, finances and team performance, stepping in where needed to keep things on track and up to standard.

 

Skills & experience
  • Relevant qualifications like APMP or PMP, with solid experience managing bids and projects across the full lifecycle, ideally including defence or government work.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, with a track record of building good relationships with clients, suppliers and internal teams.
  • Hands-on experience delivering hardware and software projects (up to around £5m), including fast-paced or prototype-style work.
  • Good commercial awareness, including budgeting, forecasting and negotiation, with the ability to juggle multiple bids or projects at once.
  • Comfortable leading cross-functional teams in a deadline-driven environment, while managing risks, suppliers and day-to-day challenges.

Our client is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Please note that the client has determined that the off-payroll working rules will apply to this assignment and therefore this contract will be run through an Umbrella Company. Income tax and primary national insurance contributions will be deducted at source from any payments made to the intermediary.

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(c) Copyright Datasource Computer Employment Limited 2026.

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