At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex Defence projects ensuring safety, compliance, and quality in highly regulated environments.
- Company: Join BakerHicks, a leader in design, engineering, and project delivery since 1957.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, company car, generous leave, and a matched pension plan.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career growth and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while working with talented professionals.
- Qualifications: Project management experience in Defence or regulated environments is essential.
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Nuclear & Defence (South)
Warwick
Why This Role
At BakerHicks, our Senior Project Managers lead the delivery of some of the UK’s most complex Defence infrastructure programmes. Working in secure, highly regulated and live operational environments, you’ll deliver projects that directly support national security and Defence capability.
BakerHicks’ Nuclear & Defence team delivers multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery services across highly regulated, secure and assurance-driven environments.
The team supports clients across the nuclear and defence sectors, working on complex infrastructure, facilities, technical buildings, secure estates and asset upgrade projects where safety, compliance, quality and robust delivery governance are critical.
About You
The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of delivering engineering and construction projects within highly regulated environments. They will be comfortable leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing client and contractor interfaces, and balancing technical, commercial and programme objectives to achieve successful project outcomes.
The role requires a practical understanding of both design and construction delivery, with the ability to challenge and support project teams to develop safe, compliant, buildable and cost-effective solutions. Experience working within secure environments and managing projects through established governance and assurance processes will be essential.
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of assigned Defence projects, ensuring clear scope, programme, budget, quality and risk controls are established and maintained.
- Act as the primary project interface between BakerHicks, the client, internal discipline teams, contractors, consultants and other key stakeholders.
- Manage projects across the full lifecycle, including feasibility, design development, procurement support, construction interface, commissioning support, handover and close-out.
- Coordinate multi-disciplinary design outputs to ensure they are buildable, compliant and aligned with client requirements, site constraints, security considerations and construction sequencing.
- Develop and maintain project programmes, delivery plans, risk registers, action trackers, change records and progress reporting to support effective governance and decision-making.
- Support commercial and financial management, including forecasting, cost control, change management, variations and input into cost value reporting where required.
- Lead regular project meetings, provide clear reporting to internal and client stakeholders, and proactively manage issues, actions and dependencies.
- Work closely with construction and site teams to identify buildability risks, manage design-to-construction interfaces, and support safe, practical and efficient delivery on live or operational Defence sites.
- Ensure compliance with BakerHicks’ Integrated Management System, client procedures, quality requirements, CDM duties, health and safety expectations and relevant security protocols.
Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications
Qualifications
- Relevant project management qualification or working towards professional accreditation, such as APM, PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent.
- Degree or equivalent experience in project management, construction management, engineering, architecture, quantity surveying or a related discipline.
- Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), MAPM or equivalent professional accreditation desirable.
Experience
- Proven experience leading projects within Defence establishments, nuclear licensed sites, secure estate, major infrastructure, construction, engineering consultancy or another highly regulated environment.
- Proven experience delivering engineering design and construction projects, with responsibility for scope, programme, budget, risk and stakeholder management.
- Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams and managing interfaces between design, procurement, construction and client stakeholders.
Knowledge
- Strong understanding of structured project delivery, including scope management, programme control, risk management, change control, reporting and governance.
- Good understanding of engineering design processes, design management principles and technical assurance requirements.
- Understanding of project governance and stage-gated delivery processes within regulated environments.
- Practical understanding of construction delivery, buildability, site constraints, contractor interfaces, CDM requirements and health and safety responsibilities.
- Strong client-facing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and communicate confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Commercial awareness, including experience supporting budget management, forecasting, variations and contract administration, ideally under NEC or similar contract frameworks.
Ability and willingness to work in secure environments and obtain the required level of security clearance for Defence client work.
- Existing or previously held BPSS, SC or DV Security Clearance.
- Experience of delivering refurbishment, infrastructure, building, facilities, hangar, accommodation, secure office, utilities or asset upgrade projects within live operational environments.
- Experience delivering projects for Defence clients such as MoD, DIO, AWE, QinetiQ, DSTL, BAE Systems or similar organisations.
- Knowledge of BIM, asset information, configuration management or digital project controls within regulated project delivery.
Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by various factors. The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain security clearance for this role as required by our clients and sectors.
Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk )
About BakerHicks
We’ve been innovating in design, engineering and project delivery since 1957 and operate from 14 locations for a truly European reach. For more about our company story, see: About | BakerHicks .
Whatever your discipline, you’ll be alongside some of the most talented people in the industry. Our network of offices are appealing, friendly and comfortable spaces, easily accessible by car or public transport. And our salary and benefits packages are some of the best in the industry.
What you get will depend on what you do, with individual performance-related rewards also on offer in addition to:
- Company car or cash allowance
- Up to 6% matched contributory pension plan
- 25 days annual leave plus ability to buy additional leave
- Discount scheme (including gym membership, mobile phones etc)
- Family friendly policies
- Employee assistance
BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout.
BakerHicks is an inclusive organisation welcoming talent from all backgrounds. Applicants are assessed on the basis of personal merit and qualifications.
#LI-TK1
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Nuclear & Defence (South) New Warwick employer: Baker Hicks Limited
BakerHicks is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the UK's energy transition through impactful projects in the Utilities & Renewables sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaboration, and innovation, the company fosters a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Employees benefit from competitive rewards, professional development opportunities, and the chance to lead in a rapidly evolving industry, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Nuclear & Defence (South) New Warwick
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Baker Hicks Limited, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Nuclear & Defence (South) New Warwick at Baker Hicks Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Nuclear & Defence (South) New Warwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Baker Hicks Limited
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
