Project Manager, Program ​/ Project Manager, Operations Manager

Project Manager - Helicopter Maitenasnce and Upgrade Programme

£30.76 per hour PAYE / £41.15 per hour Umbrella

Description/Overall purpose of the Job Reporting to:
Service Delivery Manager MFTS Were looking for a highly experienced and dynamic project manager to provide professional monitoring and control to a flagship helicopter service delivery contract. The MFTS Rotary Wing contract is a long-term agreement where the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) outsourced its helicopter pilot training to Ascent Flight Training (a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Babcock).

Airbus, a prime contractor to Ascent, provides helicopter availability, support and services in line with the flight training schedule. The MFTS Project and Enterprise Risk Manager will be responsible for overseeing multiple modification and upgrade projects across the MFTS Fleet in order to maximise capability and serviceability. The fleet of aircraft comprising H135 Juno and H145 Jupiter is contracted to provide up to 28,000 flying hours per year.

The role of the MFTS Project Manager is to support the Service Delivery Manager with the On time, On cost, On quality delivery of MFTS projects based in RAF Shawbury, RAF Valley, and AHUK HQ in Oxford to ensure aircraft availability in line with the flight plan, other contractual requirements and KPI’s.

• Project Management Control and management of planning baselines to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of multiple projects
• Enterprise Risk Management Identify, analyse and manage project risks, developing robust contingency plans to ensure operational continuity, minimise service disruptions and ensure financial stability.
• Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis using statistical methods and data-driven simulations to assess how uncertainties and risk will impact project timelines by means of deterministic scheduling.
• Reporting & Analysis:
  Provide regular, insightful reports on project performance, identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement to the Service Delivery Manager.
• Data-Driven Visual Management & Governance:
  Create and drive data-driven visual management and team governance dynamics. Youll implement robust systems and dashboards to provide clear visibility of performance, progress, and key metrics, empowering teams to make informed decisions and achieve operational excellence.

• Ability to coordinate, manage and control multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven experience of Enterprise Risk Management role aiding business(es) to understand and develop strategies for managing their risk appetite.
• Proven experience deploying Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA) methods and simulations to identify ‘at-risk’ activities and calculate the associated time contingency to desired confidence level.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and motivate at all levels.
• Understanding of the armed forces including network and ways of working, having either served yourself or been a civilian stakeholder.
• Knowledge of aviation regulations, Part 145, Part CAMO, the airworthiness regulators CAA, MAA and the Leaflet B40 construct.
• Ideally, but not essential an understanding of aircraft or engine support contracts, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) operations, and/or complex project delivery.
• Strong personal accountability, especially with regards to problem solving and innovation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Proficiency in operational excellence methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) is highly desirable.
• Ability to analyse, critically evaluate and make decisive decisions.

• Extensive project management experience with technical and/or commercial roles within the aerospace industry.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field a Masters degree.
• Practical experience of Project Management, Sword Active Risk and QSRA toolset to expert level including but not limited to Oracle Primavera P6, Oracle Primavera Risk Analysis…