DMEx Senior Project Manager

Responsibilities

• Hold overall accountability for the delivery of a complex portfolio of Research and Technology tasks, ensuring compliance with contractual, security, governance, and audit requirements
• Lead and develop the DMEx Project Management Office (PMO), line‑managing a team of circa six staff across pre‑award and post‑award delivery, including one direct report who governs a wider delivery team
• Own pre‑award processes including commercial negotiation, contracting, and security clearance processes
• Assure post‑award delivery through milestone and deliverable tracking, risk management, escalation, and performance intervention
• Shape, refine, and embed the Centre’s operating model, establishing scalable workflows, standardising processes, and driving continuous improvement through agile delivery approaches
• Maintain and enhance a robust KPI and reporting framework, including dashboards, data analytics, and performance insights for senior stakeholders
• Lead financial forecasting, optimisation, and control across the programme portfolio, working closely with University finance and external partners
• Chair and coordinate regular PMO review meetings with Dstl and internal stakeholders, providing clear, evidence‑based reporting and recommendations
• Provide senior‑level intervention with suppliers and partners where delivery issues, risks, or under‑performance arise
• Build and sustain effective relationships with senior stakeholders across academia, industry, Dstl, and defence partner organisations

• Proven experience managing a high‑value portfolio of projects in complex, fast‑moving environments
• Strong understanding and practical application of project management best practice, including risk and issue management, governance, and assurance
• Experience leading or contributing to a Project Management Office (PMO), including process standardisation and continuous improvement
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial forecasting, performance reporting, and multi‑stakeholder delivery
• Confidence operating at senior level with demanding stakeholders and navigating organisational complexity
• Strong analytical capability, with experience using management data to drive decision‑making and performance improvement
• Excellent leadership, communication, and resilience skills

Experience working in regulated, sensitive, or secure environments, and familiarity with formal PM tools and methodologies, would be highly advantageous.

Successful candidates may be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks and potentially undergo Security Clearance. Due to the nature of this clearance, candidates will need to have sole UK nationality. Eligibility for Security Clearance will be assessed as part of the recruitment process.

DMEx has an ethnically diverse team of UK nationals.

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available