Overview

Join to apply for the Project Manager role at NCC – Innovating for Industry. Bristol-based with hybrid working (2-3 days on site). Salary: £38,906 to £54,500 per annum plus 12.5% employer pension and private medical insurance. Security Clearance: The ability to obtain government security clearance is mandatory.

Advert end date: 26th September. We reserve the right to withdraw the advert earlier based on application numbers.

Summary

As demand grows, NCC is expanding its Defence team and needs an accomplished Project Manager to keep multiple high-impact projects on time, on cost and on vision. You will steer complex technology programmes, influence senior stakeholders, and help shape the future of UK defence innovation. NCC partners with MOD, prime contractors and SMEs to turn cutting-edge research into deployable capability at pace.

Reporting to the Technology Programme Manager – Defence, you will lead a range of small to medium-sized projects. This is a new position in our organisation and an opportunity to contribute to NCC’s growth in the defence sector.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery – control scope, schedule, cost and risk across the full six-phase lifecycle from initiation to closure using NCC’s project management framework.
• Plan with rigour – convert technical statements of work into credible resource-loaded schedules, align internal specialists and external partners, and maintain live plans for active and pipeline projects.
• Lead the team – provide clarity on tasks and booking codes; track effort in real time; foster knowledge-sharing and proactive risk management.
• Be the customer’s go-to – run structured reviews, provide transparent progress reports and build long-term relationships based on delivery excellence.
• Generate tomorrow’s work – gather market and programme intelligence, identify opportunities, brief internal stakeholders on emerging needs, and feed accurate data into our CRM for evidence-led pursuit strategies.
• Stay close to the action – conduct site visits (approx. 10% travel) to validate progress, resolve issues and explore collaboration opportunities.
• Add technical value – leverage a sound engineering or composites background to challenge assumptions and translate customer goals into workable plans.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven track record as a Project Manager or Project Engineer.
• Sector experience in defence, aerospace or a similarly regulated, high-integrity sector.
• Ability to gain security clearance.
• Familiarity with gated lifecycle governance, risk/opportunity management, and stakeholder negotiation.
• Experience identifying and helping secure follow-on work, and authoring bids or proposals.
• Working knowledge of MS Project (or equivalent).
• Experience using ERP/PLM systems and modern CRM platforms to support projects.
• Desirable: exposure to composite materials, propulsion technologies and/or digital engineering.
• Desirable: working towards or holding APM PMQ (or equivalent).

Why us?

A unique vantage point in the UK's Defence Innovation ecosystem with genuine influence on future capability.

Exposure to world-class projects and the wider High Value Manufacturing Catapult network, offering visibility across multiple sectors.

Continuous professional development, including support to achieve Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status.

An inclusive environment that champions diversity, equity and belonging, with structured learning and development programmes.

What we offer

Hybrid and flexible working patterns, annual salary reviews, company-paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, supportive colleagues, and opportunities to grow within a thriving R&D facility.

Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Project Management
• Industries: Research Services and Manufacturing