Certification Project Manager
Location: Crewe
Contract: Until 31st January 2026 (Likely extension)
Hours: 37 per week
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2 to 3 days onsite

We are seeking a proactive and technically experienced Certification Project Manager to join a leading UK automotive manufacturer. This high-visibility contract role sits at the heart of the Technical Conformity function, supporting complex engineering and certification planning across the Engineering, Test & Programme (ETP) and Change departments.

As a Certification Project Manager this is an ideal role for someone with a strong background in automotive engineering (Powertrain, Testing, Safety, or Certification), solid project planning skills, and the confidence to lead process delivery and stakeholder engagement across multiple workstreams.

Key Responsibilities of the Certification Project Manager:

• Own and manage process scheduling and project planning across Technical Conformity teams.
• Maintain and update Microsoft Project plans and provide oversight of project resource capacity vs. demand.
• Facilitate regular planning and change control meetings, including risk tracking, action management and minute taking.
• Generate vehicle check reports using internal IT tools to support technical conformity activities.
• Ensure all project change requests are properly documented and managed through a controlled change log.
• Serve as a communication bridge between delivery teams and the wider project environment, ensuring alignment and momentum.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Strong technical foundation in automotive engineering – ideally within Powertrain, Testing, Safety, or Certification environments.
• Proven track record in project planning or delivery within an automotive or engineering context.
• Deep understanding of project management principles including scheduling, resource management, and change control.
• Expertise in Microsoft Project – essential – plus solid skills across Microsoft Office tools including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and manage delivery expectations.
• Self-motivated, structured, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear, concise presentation skills with the ability to simplify complex technical topics.

Qualifications & Tools:

• Degree or equivalent experience in engineering, project management or related discipline – desirable.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Project – essential.
• Familiarity with Conformity of Production or certification processes – a distinct advantage.

This is a key opportunity for a capable Certification Project Manager to take ownership of delivery planning within a highly respected UK automotive brand. If you're looking for your next contract in a dynamic and technically focused team – and thrive on bringing structure, clarity, and confidence to project delivery – this could be your ideal role.

Please note, this role is deemed outside of IR35 - you will be operating as a Limited company Contractor.