At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the strategic direction of major projects to keep the nation safe.
- Company: AWE, a key player in national security with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, generous leave, and a market-leading pension scheme.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence in project delivery.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive PMO leadership experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Role: Head of PMO
At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that.
Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe.
Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?
AWE is currently recruiting for a Head of PMO to join the Infrastructure Projects Delivery (IPD) Portfolio Office.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (P3M) professional to shape and drive the strategic direction, governance, and performance of a complex portfolio of major projects and programmes.
The role will be instrumental in enabling successful delivery across a diverse and high-profile portfolio that supports AWE's critical mission and long-term strategic objectives.
As Head of PMO, you will provide leadership across a multi-disciplinary PMO function, bringing together specialist capabilities including planning, risk management, project controls, reporting, resource management, configuration management, governance and change control.
Working closely with the Enterprise PMO (e PMO), programme leadership teams and wider P3M community, you will ensure projects are delivered consistently, effectively and in alignment with organisational priorities.
You will act as a key member of the Programme Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic insight, governance leadership and assurance across the portfolio whilst driving continuous improvement and embedding best practice project delivery standards.
Who are we looking for?
- Significant leadership experience within a PMO, Programme Controls, Portfolio Management or project delivery environment.
- Proven experience leading large, complex programmes or portfolios (£multimillion) and driving successful delivery outcomes through effective governance, controls and performance management.
- Portfolio, programme and project governance frameworks within large-scale, regulated, construction or complex organisations.
- Leading and developing high-performing PMO or project controls teams across multiple disciplines.
- Strategic planning, resource optimisation and organisational prioritisation.
- Risk management, reporting, performance metrics and benefits realisation.
- Driving business improvement, standardisation and the adoption of project management best practice.
- Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and influencing decision‑making at executive level.
You will need to be a strong and engaging leader who can translate strategy into operational delivery.
You'll be comfortable working in a complex environment, balancing multiple priorities whilst enabling teams to perform at their best.
You will bring excellent communication skills, commercial awareness and the ability to create alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Work hard, be rewarded
- 9‑day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
The Working at AWE page on our website is where you can find full details in the AWE Benefits Guide.
Next steps
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table.
We recognise that great people don't always ‘tick every box’.
That's why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience.
Important things you need to know
You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.
This will be funded by AWE.
The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process.
Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process.
Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to themselves at work.
We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
If you’re looking for a role with excitement, intrigue and something that really makes a difference then now is the time to join AWE.
We are at the start of a once in a generation – possibly two generations – programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent.
We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state‑of‑the‑art capital and construction projects – some of which have never been done before.
Find out more on our website.
Service Leavers, Veterans and Reservists
We are an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award Employer. Visit the Service Leavers page to find out more.
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Head of PMO employer: Atomic Weapons Establishment
As a Quality Inspector Apprentice, you will join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises employee development and offers a supportive work culture. With a competitive starting salary and generous benefits, including a market-leading pension scheme and extensive holiday entitlement, you will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders while contributing to vital national security initiatives in the Aldermaston/Reading area. This apprenticeship not only provides hands-on experience but also fosters personal growth through academic studies and practical application of engineering principles.
Contact Details:
Atomic Weapons Establishment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of PMO
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Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of PMO role at Atomic Weapons Establishment!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of PMO
Some tips for your application 🫡
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How to prepare for a job interview at Atomic Weapons Establishment
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Atomic Weapons Establishment. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
