At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex projects in a high-profile Defence digital programme.
- Company: Join a leading Defence organisation with impactful national programmes.
- Benefits: Competitive rate, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with excellent career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Make a difference in national security while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: APMP or PRINCE2 certification and SFIA 4 qualification required.
Location: Cheltenham (3-4 days per week on site)
Duration: 12 months +
Rate: £78ph Inside IR35 (SFIA 4 Qualification)
Start Date: ASAP
Hours: 37.5 per week
Are you an experienced Project Manager looking to join a high-profile Defence digital and transformation programme, working embedded directly within key client environments? This is a rare opportunity to be part of mission-critical national programmes where your delivery will directly support secure, complex, and large-scale defence capability transformation.
The Role
As a Project Manager, you will lead end-to-end delivery of complex projects, working closely with multi-disciplinary teams that may be co-located or distributed across multiple sites. You will act as a trusted delivery lead, responsible for ensuring outcomes are delivered to time, cost, quality, and security requirements in a highly regulated environment. You will also play a key role in shaping delivery approaches, improving capability, and embedding modern project delivery practices within client organisations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead full project lifecycle delivery from initiation through to closure
- Manage and direct project teams across multi-site and hybrid environments
- Own delivery of contracted work to time, cost, quality and governance standards
- Manage stakeholder engagement at all levels, including senior client stakeholders
- Develop and maintain robust project plans, forecasts, budgets and delivery roadmaps
- Manage risk, issue and change control processes effectively
- Produce accurate financial reporting and delivery performance updates
- Support and enable Agile / Scrum delivery approaches where applicable
Skills & Experience Required
- APMP or PRINCE2 qualification (or equivalent project management certification)
- SFIA 4 Qualification
- Experience delivering projects through full lifecycle delivery
- Strong understanding of Agile / Scrum delivery methodologies (highly desirable)
- Proven ability to lead and motivate multi-disciplinary teams
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
- Experience using project management tools and delivery frameworks
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and client-facing communication skills
- Demonstrable ability to manage scope, schedule, cost, risk and change
- Strong financial governance and reporting experience
- Ability to operate in complex, fast-moving and regulated environments
Please note that this role requires an active UK Security Clearance!
If you are qualified and interested, please apply.
Project Manager - Cheltenham SFIA 4 employer: Carrington West
Join a leading organisation in Cheltenham that champions innovation and excellence in the Defence sector. As a Project Manager, you will thrive in a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, offering opportunities to enhance your skills while contributing to mission-critical projects. With a focus on modern project delivery practices and a commitment to supporting your career progression, this role provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in a highly regulated environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Cheltenham SFIA 4
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Carrington West. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Carrington West.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Carrington West.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Cheltenham SFIA 4
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Carrington West and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington West
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Carrington West will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Carrington West.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Carrington West.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Carrington West. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
