Infrastructure Project Manager in Barrow in Furness

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

Job description

Do you thrive in complex, high-stakes environments where infrastructure, innovation, and national security intersect? Are you looking for a role where your leadership and programme delivery skills will directly impact one of the most significant defence programmes in the country? If so, the Submarine Delivery Agency are looking for an infrastructure project manager to join the Submarine Enterprise Acquisition Capability (SMEAC) programme.

This programme offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of submarine acquisition and infrastructure transformation. As a Category A programme, SMEAC is responsible for the planning and delivery of the UK’s future submarine capability, spanning manufacturing, workforce development, enabling activities, and the supply chain.

This pivotal role sits within the Barrow Infrastructure Team, focusing on all infrastructure elements of the Business Case. You’ll be instrumental in developing key project delivery artefacts, managing permissioning cases, overseeing contract execution, and tracking delivery performance. You’ll also contribute to the strategic vision through the development of the Barrow Site Master Plan and Site Redevelopment Plan, ensuring alignment with functional requirements for future facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Delivery

• Drive delivery against the baseline scope with BAE for Facilities, ensuring alignment with programme objectives
• Implement robust change control processes, securing appropriate authorisations to embed changes without compromising delivery
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with BAE’s Facilities teams, acting as a key point of contact and fostering collaborative ways of working to achieve accurate monitoring and analysis
• Proactively manage risks, issues, and opportunities within the BAE’s Facilities scope, escalating to the Head of Department as needed
• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams to deliver outcomes on time, within budget, and to the required quality across the project lifecycle
• Operate effectively in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, demonstrating resilience and adaptability
• Promote a culture of openness, inclusivity, and continuous improvement—leading by example
• Champion career development and actively support the growth of the wider project management community

Performance Measurement

• Support assurance of overall performance against the BAE’s Facilities contracted scope, including reporting and risk management
• Implement processes to set and manage performance baselines, holding delivery partners accountable
• Monitor and authorise significant changes to key dependencies, such as integration milestones
• Challenge and support BAE’s Facilities in managing known risks, issues, and opportunities
• Recommend the allocation of risk funding (within delegations) to address emerging challenges or opportunities
• Assist the Head of Department in preparing for Management Reviews and governance forums, providing insightful analysis and commentary

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post. The post is Barrow based with an expectation of a min 2-3 days per week on site, subject to outputs and co-ordination requirements. Successful candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Demonstrable experience supporting major project delivery and the development of business cases
• Experience of building strong stakeholder relationships with internal and external stakeholders including key suppliers
• Competent in all Microsoft office applications

While not required, your application would benefit from the following:

• APM qualification or equivalent
• Background and experience of working on Infrastructure Projects
• Understanding of the RIBA stages of work
• Awareness of NEC Contracting

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Controlling a Project - Practitioner
• Stakeholder Management - Supervised Practitioner