Projects Controls Manager in Belfast

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.

The Project Controls Manager (PCM) is responsible for establishing, leading, and continuously maturing a multi-site, integrated Project Controls function across a complex programme environment. This role ensures robust governance, integrated controls, and transparent performance management across cost, schedule, risk, and change. The PCM provides independent assurance and insight to enable informed decision-making at Programme and Executive Board level, ensuring delivery remains controlled, predictable, and aligned to contractual and strategic objectives.

• Establish and lead a high-performing, multi-disciplinary Project Controls function (planning, cost, risk, EVMS, reporting, and controls).
• Define and implement the PMO operating model, including governance frameworks, RACI structures, and reporting cadence.
• Standardise controls processes and methodologies across multiple sites, shipyards, and delivery partners.
• Act as the senior authority for controls governance, assurance, and data integrity.

Integrated Planning & Scheduling

• Lead the development and maintenance of fully integrated, resource-loaded programme schedules.
• Ensure alignment between engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and delivery plans.
• Implement schedule governance, including critical path analysis, schedule health metrics, and performance tracking.
• Drive consistency in planning standards, tools, and practices across all delivery locations.

Earned Value Management (EVMS)

• Implement and mature EVMS in line with industry best practice (e.g., defence programme standards).
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly performance measurement (SPI, CPI, ETC, EAC).
• Lead production and assurance of customer-facing EVM data and reporting packs.
• Integrate cost (e.g., ERP systems), schedule, and performance data into a single source of truth.
• Provide insightful variance analysis and performance trends to senior stakeholders.

Cost Control & Forecasting

• Own and govern programme-level Estimate at Completion (EAC) processes.
• Maintain cost baseline integrity and ensure full traceability of changes.
• Challenge and validate forecasts with Control Account Managers (CAMs) and functional leads.
• Integrate cost, schedule, and risk data to produce credible and forward-looking forecasts.

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Establish and embed structured risk and opportunity management frameworks.
• Lead quantitative risk analysis (QRA), including schedule and cost risk modelling.
• Integrate risk exposure into programme forecasts and decision-making.
• Facilitate senior-level risk reviews and provide clear, actionable risk reporting.

Change & Baseline Control

• Govern baseline management across scope, schedule, and cost.
• Ensure disciplined and auditable change control processes are implemented and adhered to.
• Maintain alignment between contractual commitments and internal delivery baselines.
• Provide assurance that all changes are accurately reflected across programme controls.

Executive & Customer Reporting

• Deliver high-quality monthly programme performance reports and dashboards.
• Provide clear, concise narrative explaining performance drivers, risks, and forecast outcomes.
• Present insights to senior leadership, executive boards, and customer representatives.
• Act as the primary interface for all customer-facing controls assurance and reporting activities.
• Drive the transition from reactive reporting to proactive performance management.
• Implement data standards, digital tools, and reporting automation.
• Promote a culture of accountability and ownership of programme controls across all sites.
• Develop and execute a Project Controls capability roadmap, including succession planning.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading Project Controls or PMO functions within complex, multi-site programmes.
• Strong expertise in:
• Earned Value Management (EVMS)
• Integrated planning and scheduling
• Cost control and forecasting
• Risk and opportunity management
• Demonstrated ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills, including executive-level reporting and presentation.
• Experience developing, mentoring, and leading high-performing teams.
• Sound understanding of employment legislation, people management practices, and inclusion.
• Experience within defence, maritime, or large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP PS) and enterprise planning tools (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project).
• Experience implementing or maturing EVMS frameworks.

Values

All employees are expected to uphold the organisation’s core values: Service – Trust – Excellence – Agility – Dedication – You. These values underpin behaviours, decision-making, and performance expectations for this role.

This job description is not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the role and level. The document will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains aligned with organisational needs.

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination. We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.