Project Manager, Operations Manager, Program ​/ Project Manager

Location

Colchester

Woods Air Movement specialises in the design, test, certification and manufacture of axial fans for a wide range of industrial and life applications. Woods Air Movement has one of the largest certified axial ranges in the world. Our approach is based on offering high levels of customisation across our range of products and services to create maximum value for our customers and end users.

Project Manager

Defence

Woods Air Movement has an exciting new opportunity to recruit a motivated, experienced and results-driven Project Manager to ensure on‑time, right‑first‑time deliveries. This role is part of a key pillar of the business in a dedicated, motivated team that delivers into strategic UK contracts. The Project Manager will be accountable for the execution of the projects and will include bidding new opportunities.

The candidate will need to be able to demonstrate an ability to work with our multifunctional organisation, lead projects and drive on‑time deliveries. The candidate should also show experience dealing with customers and suppliers and managing on‑time delivery to the highest quality, while demonstrating the skills required to deliver on project commitments and adhere to cost, time and quality. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, a team player, a confident self‑starter with a drive to deliver change, willing to travel regularly around the UK, and will have excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills.

The Project Manager would be expected to align projects with contract requirements, manage the contract, engage with suppliers, lead cross‑functional projects, manage key customer relationships, proactively manage strategic risks and escalations, mentor junior PMs, lead cross‑functional teams, oversee business‑wide multifaceted projects, and make decisions with financial, legal and strategic impact.

• Act as the primary point of contact for key customers and establish strong working relationships and communications to ensure alignment of expectations and issue resolution.
• Lead commercial and technical discussions with customers and stakeholders.
• Review and interpret complex contracts, statements of work and agreements.
• Ensure project activities and deliverables adhere to contractual obligations and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee requirements capture, change control processes, and ensure traceability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Define project scopes, goals and deliverables that support business objectives in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, resource schedules, budgets and risk logs.
• Apply appropriate project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid) depending on project context.
• Lead project teams, facilitating collaboration across disciplines, managing dependencies and resolving conflicts.
• Provide regular project status reports to senior stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Maintain governance standards through accurate documentation and performance tracking.
• Drive project reviews, post‑implementation reviews and lessons‑learned exercises.

This job description is not regarded to be totally exhaustive of all duties and activities required by the post. The post is subject to the needs of the business and will develop and change in line with prevailing market conditions, competition and development of the territory.

• Experience in the Defence industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years of project management experience, with at least 3 years in a senior‑level capacity.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex projects with multi‑million‑pound budgets.
• Proven ability to manage external customer relationships and vendor contracts.
• Strong track record of working with legal teams and procurement departments on commercial agreements.
• Project Management Certification (PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent).
• Willingness to travel around the UK regularly.

• Competitive salary
• 25 days Holiday…