Project Manager in Belfast

Project Manager in Belfast

Belfast Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
N

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead shipbuilding projects from planning to delivery, ensuring quality and compliance.
  • Company: Join Navantia UK, a pioneering force in British defence and maritime industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, a company pension, and a commitment to inclusivity.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to equal opportunities and career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the UK's defence and energy sectors with innovative projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in project management, preferably in shipbuilding or heavy engineering.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well‑positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Role Purpose

The Project Manager is responsible for the end‑to‑end delivery of shipbuilding programmes, overseeing manufacture, construction, testing, and delivery. The role ensures vessels are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in full compliance with contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of shipbuilding projects from contract award to handover.
  • Coordinate engineering, production, procurement, commissioning, and trials.
  • Ensure alignment between design, manufacturing, and construction activities.

Schedule & Performance

  • Own the integrated master schedule and milestone delivery.
  • Monitor progress, identify delays, and implement recovery actions.
  • Lead performance reviews and reporting to senior management and customers.

Cost & Commercial Control

  • Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost performance with finance and commercial teams.
  • Approve changes, variations, and claims.

Reporting & Governance

  • Provide accurate weekly and monthly programme reports.
  • Maintain programme registers for risk, change, and actions.
  • Ensure compliance with PMO, contract, and regulatory requirements.
  • Act as primary interface with customers, suppliers, class, and regulators.
  • Lead internal and external project meetings.

Qualifications Skills & Experience

  • Proven experience managing programmes, desirably within shipbuilding, heavy engineering or construction sectors.
  • Strong schedule, reporting, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Knowledge of class, regulatory, and customer acceptance processes.
  • Project management certification (APM, PMP, PRINCE2).
  • Knowledge of project management tools e.g. SAP, MS Project or Safran.

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.

Company pension 33 days holiday

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

Project Manager in Belfast employer: Navantia Group

Navantia UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions innovation and collaboration in the defence and maritime sectors. With a commitment to employee growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside a generous benefits package including 33 days of holiday and a company pension, employees are empowered to thrive. Located in the historic facilities of Harland & Wolff, our team enjoys a rich heritage while contributing to vital national projects that enhance the UK's industrial capabilities.
N

Contact Detail:

Navantia Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Project Manager in Belfast

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Navantia UK and its projects. Understand their values and recent developments, so you can show how your skills align with their mission. Tailor your answers to reflect their focus on defence and energy security.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your project management scenarios! Be ready to discuss how you've handled challenges in past projects, especially in shipbuilding or heavy engineering. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Navantia UK and contributing to their exciting projects.

We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager in Belfast

Project Management
Schedule Management
Stakeholder Management
Budget Management
Cost Control
Reporting Skills
Risk Management
Regulatory Compliance
Engineering Coordination
Procurement Coordination
Construction Oversight
Knowledge of Class and Regulatory Processes
Project Management Certification (APM, PMP, PRINCE2)
Familiarity with Project Management Tools (e.g. SAP, MS Project, Safran)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in shipbuilding or heavy engineering, and don’t forget to showcase your project management certifications. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit for Navantia UK. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements rather than just duties. Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you’ve successfully managed projects, met deadlines, and stayed within budget. We love seeing results!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, we’re here to help if you run into any issues!

How to prepare for a job interview at Navantia Group

✨Know Your Shipbuilding Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of shipbuilding processes and the specific technologies used in the industry. Navantia UK is all about delivering top-notch vessels, so being able to discuss relevant experience and technical details will show you're the right fit for the Project Manager role.

✨Master the Schedule

Since you'll be owning the integrated master schedule, it’s crucial to demonstrate your scheduling skills during the interview. Be prepared to talk about how you've managed timelines in past projects, tackled delays, and ensured on-time delivery. Use examples that highlight your ability to keep everything on track.

✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills

As a Project Manager, you'll be interfacing with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully managed relationships with customers, suppliers, and team members in previous roles. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you navigated them to keep everyone aligned and satisfied.

✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions

Given the importance of compliance in shipbuilding, expect questions about regulatory requirements and quality standards. Brush up on your knowledge of class and regulatory processes, and be ready to explain how you've ensured compliance in your past projects. This will show that you understand the critical nature of these aspects in the role.

Project Manager in Belfast
Navantia Group
Location: Belfast

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>