Project Manager

A vacancy has arisen within the reactors programme team for a project manager. The purpose of the post is to safely manage the delivery of decommissioning projects to an agreed timescale, cost and quality. The job holder will be responsible for the management and control of projects throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will lead a strategically significant project within the Reactors programme. As the project enters its feasibility phase, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape and drive forward a technically complex project aimed at reducing the alkali metal inventory within the Reactors. We are seeking an experienced project manager with a proven track record in strategic planning, delivery within regulated/high hazard environments, robust contract management, effective governance, and strong stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Develop project management strategies, optimising plans to respond to changes when necessary.
• Create, implement, and maintain programme baselines and strategies for the project, taking into account analysis of dependencies and constraints, scope, risks and assumptions.
• Support the senior project manager in the delivery of projects of work and sanction approvals in line with the site project baseline.
• Implement organisational governance structures for projects, ensuring application of CDM requirements as defined in standard.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to expedite safe project delivery.
• Monitor and report on internal and contractor performance against safety, costs, programme and quality, identify deviations and implement remedial actions as appropriate.
• Manage the production of project documentation including statement of requirements, safety documentation, Dounreay modification reports, works control documentation, and project reports.
• Apply appropriate project management techniques and configuration measures.
• Prepare handover documentation and manage project handover.
• Efficiently manage projects within the bounds of the safety case.
• Review and report on identified problems and incidents, establishing causes and identifying, recommending and implementing solutions.
• Have arrangements in place for Dounreay to directly control all nuclear safety and security matters associated with the project.
• Ensure that in instances where the contractor does not adopt our safety and security management requirements then the contractor's safety and security management arrangements are of at least an equivalent standard to us.
• Ensure that any major contractors who are operating or maintaining our facilities are competent to our standards and appointed as required to the appropriate safety emergency related post.
• Participate in site emergency exercises as required.
• Perform the responsibilities of management appointments where relevant to the post including appointment to a site emergency response role.
• Manage staff as a line manager.

Aptitudes and Experience:

• HND in science/engineering or equivalent qualifications plus experience.
• Contract management - foundation accreditation.
• Comprehensive contract management experience.
• Comprehensive nuclear/industrial experience.
• Experience of project management of technically challenging projects.
• A project manager with demonstrable experience of sanction and project start-up and feasibility stages.
• Ability to safely manage the delivery of decommissioning projects to an agreed timescale, cost and quality.
• Effective communication skills to manage internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate behaviours such as resilience, integrity, reliability, ownership.
• Demonstrates skills such as teamwork, conflict resolution, decision making.

Interviews to be held: week commencing Monday 23 March 2026.

If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process please contact at the appropriate time so that we can make any necessary reasonable adjustment.

Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks.

NRS attracts an excellent Benefits package:

• Standard full time working week with every third Friday off (unless subject to shift work). This working pattern equates to approximately 17 days additional holidays per year.
• Annual leave entitlement of 28 days, and in addition, 8 days statutory public holidays, 2 and a half days privilege holidays and 2 and a half days Christmas/New Year closure holidays.
• Paid overtime available.
• Up to 13.5% employer pension contribution depending on individual contribution amount.
• Annual company bonus payment of up to 5% basic salary as at 31 March.
• Relocation assistance (where appropriate).
• Dounreay recognises individual and team achievements or exemplary safe behaviour through the award of vouchers.
• Maternity leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave and paternity leave that offers enhanced payments above the statutory minimum requirements for qualifying employees.
• Additional paid time off for training purposes for local volunteer services such as the retained Fire Service, the Coastguard Rescue Service and Scottish Mountain Rescue. NRS also provide the same support to our employees in the Reserve Forces.
• Access to our onsite Occupational Health Service.
• Access to Aviva Digicare+ Workplace Health package which includes free annual health check, access to a digital GP, nutritional consultations, mental health consultations and second medical opinions.
• Employee Assistance Programme including 24-hour telephone support & personal assistance service and access to an online wellbeing App.
• Cycle to work and reduced gym membership fees.
• Company sick pay scheme.
• Access to training and development through the company performance management arrangements, supporting you in maintaining your personal Continuous Professional Development.

We have various different employee networks supporting our inclusion, diversity and wellbeing mission at Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS). At Dounreay we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. We therefore actively welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, with different experiences and perspectives and we are committed to ensuring that we work in an inclusive way that means everyone can perform at their best.

Dounreay is a member of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria, Dounreay will interview the best candidates from within that group.