Project Manager in Bristol

We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated Project Manager to join our client’s Project Management function. This role offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative and supportive environment while developing your project management capability across complex defence programmes. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing integration activities on a mature defence programme, overseeing multiple work packages, some of which are approaching closure. The role requires strong project management fundamentals, effective stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage ambiguity and customer-driven change within a dynamic, multi-functional and international environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage integration activities across defined work packages within a defence programme.
• Plan, execute, monitor, and close project work packages in line with programme objectives.
• Maintain effective stakeholder relationships with customers, partners, and internal functional teams across the UK and Europe.
• Manage project risks and opportunities, implementing appropriate mitigation and control strategies.
• Control project performance against cost, schedule, and scope, including Earned Value Management (EVM) where applicable.
• Monitor schedule adherence and perform schedule risk assessments.
• Manage customer-driven change and ambiguity, ensuring impacts are assessed and communicated.
• Support bidding and estimating activities for small packages of work (typically under £1m).
• Ensure compliance with standard project management methodologies, governance, and reporting requirements.
• Motivate and lead project teams to achieve delivery excellence.
• Share best practice, contribute to the Project Management community, and identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in Project Management, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Formal project management qualification (e.g. APM PMQ, PRINCE2, PMP) is desirable but not essential, depending on experience level.

Essential Skills

• Proven project or programme management experience, ideally within a matrix organisation.
• Strong risk management capability and experience managing complex delivery risks.
• Solid understanding of project management fundamentals, including cost, schedule, and quality control.
• Sound business judgement and ability to analyse and resolve complex problems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate teams and influence stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, changing environment with a degree of ambiguity.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships across multiple functions and organisational levels.

Desired Skills

• Experience of Earned Value Management (EVM) and schedule risk assessment techniques.
• Bidding and estimating experience for small to medium-sized work packages.
• Experience working on defence or other highly regulated programmes.
• Negotiation and influencing skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working in international or cross-border project environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in project delivery.

Experience

• Experience managing integration activities or work packages within complex programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects from a business perspective, including financial and schedule accountability.
• Experience supporting or leading bid activities and cost estimation.
• Track record of successfully managing projects through delivery and close-out phases.
• Exposure to collaborative, multi-functional teams within large organisations.

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges.
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects.
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses.
• Competitive company benefits.
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:

• Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible.
• Communicating and promoting vacancies.
• Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.
• Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required.
• Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive.