Project Manager in Inchinnan

About the Role: As JFD continues to grow, we are strengthening our Project Management Organisation to support an expanding portfolio of existing and new contracts. We are now seeking an ambitious Project Manager to join our Defence Submarine Platforms team within James Fisher’s Defence Division. This is a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in your career, leading the delivery of high‑value, strategically important projects in a unique and highly specialised environment. In this pivotal leadership role, you will be responsible for full project lifecycle delivery, including P&L accountability, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction. Working closely with multi‑disciplinary teams and supported by the PMO function, you will drive performance, governance and reporting in line with JFD policies and SLT expectations. Based at our Inchinnan site, this role offers the chance to work on impactful defence programmes with occasional international travel. Please note that this role requires security checks.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading a strategically important project within JFD’s global Defence portfolio.
• Delivery of the project on time, on budget and to the customer’s complete satisfaction.
• Monitor, compile and submit project reports to the customer and internal management capturing the status of the project in line with PMO processes.
• Accurately communicating project status and performance through the tiered management system daily, weekly and monthly as required. This will include working and reporting contractual KPIs.
• Ensure health, safety, environment, sustainability and security objectives are achieved throughout the lifecycle of the project along with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop detailed project plans to guide the customer and internal stakeholders on the project’s progress, status and variances from the plan.
• Identify, monitor, mitigate and report project risks to internal management to ensure that JFD delivers to its contractual requirements.
• Ensure projects are executed in accordance with JFD’s Global Project Execution Process (GPEP) and associated procedures and that governance is maintained throughout the project.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in Project Management, encompassing the delivery of defence maritime projects, lean manufacturing/build‑to‑print initiatives, in‑service and contractor logistic support, and international project execution.
• Strong understanding of UK and international defence contracting terms, including commercially sensitive projects and associated security considerations.
• Demonstrates sound business acumen and effective negotiation skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge in maritime, defence and international quality and safety standards.
• Have a proven history of managing complex customer relationships and fostering collaborative partnerships across internal and external stakeholders.
• Be an adaptive leader with effective communication skills, a focus on safety, a collaborative mindset and a commitment to delivery.
• Degree qualified within a naval context, or equivalent suitable industry experience.
• APM Project Fundamentals & Project Management Qualification (or similar).
• Willing and able to travel as necessary to achieve project requirements.

Why join us?

• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation and global operations

Equal Opportunity: At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce. To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida.