Future Capabilities Project Manager

About the Role and Organization

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), operating under the UK's Ministry of Defence, is tasked with the acquisition, ongoing support, and decommissioning of the nation's nuclear submarines. This role is critical in maintaining the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), a strategic and complex defence programme with submarines on patrol 24/7 throughout the year.

The SDA embraces diversity and inclusion, fostering a supportive environment for all employees to excel and bring their unique perspectives into the workplace. This position demands full-time, on-site engagement at the Corsham facility and is restricted to UK nationals due to security requirements. The working environment includes classified IT systems; thus, part-time or job sharing is not feasible.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with contract and procurement processes to meet business objectives efficiently.
• Oversee and coordinate the project programme to align with organisational goals and stakeholder expectations, ensuring consistency across all initiatives.
• Manage project elements including requirements, scheduling, funding, documentation, and commercial approval processes.
• Validate and advance essential project outputs, evaluating supplier deliverables for quality and conformity.
• Handle risk and issue management at operational levels and provide input for escalated risk reviews.
• Support the preparation and submission of business cases while conforming to governance and quality standards.
• Maintain meticulous project timelines and collaborate with project control teams to ensure projects proceed within approved parameters.
• Promote a transparent, supportive culture that encourages learning from past experiences without assigning blame.
• Ensure adherence to governance policies across the project team.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous project management experience and motivation to develop skills leading to APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ).
• Strong planning, coordination, and organisational skills, capable of managing intricate information and multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in governance techniques and project control including managing plans, risks, and dependencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, with the aptitude to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships and maintain productive stakeholder engagement.
• Proactive in continuous personal development and improvement.
• Educational qualifications: Minimum 2 A Levels with grades A*-D or equivalent, plus 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English Language and Mathematics (or recognized equivalents).

Additional Information and Working Conditions

This role is based in an underground facility, requiring the physical ability to ascend thirteen flights of stairs during emergencies. Hybrid or flexible work arrangements may be considered but will require frequent on-site presence due to security protocols.

Applicants with disabilities or long-term health conditions are encouraged to apply. Relevant permissions for assistive technologies in the Information Protection Zone (IPZ) are required and granted on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants will undergo assessment against specified behavioural competencies (Working Together, Delivering at Pace, Changing and Improving, Leadership) and technical skills (Controlling a Project - Supervised Practitioner, Stakeholder Management - Supervised Practitioner) through a Success Profiles framework.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary of £37,400.
• Additional pension contribution of £10,834 toward the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme (28.97% employer contribution).
• Access to tailored learning and development.
• Flexible working environment to the extent security permits.
• Inclusive and diverse workplace culture.

Application Guidance

Applications will be evaluated based on experience, behaviours, and technical competencies. Candidates are advised to provide a personal statement outlining their suitability and motivation for the role. The use of artificial intelligence in application materials is permitted only if the content is truthful and directly derived from personal experience; plagiarism or misrepresentation may lead to application withdrawal.