Senior Project Manager (6m Contract Inside IR35) in Pitstone

We are seeking an experienced and technically credible Senior Project Manager. Working in direct support of, or under delegation from, the Project Chief Engineer (PCE), the Senior Project Manager has primary accountability for structuring and leading the delivery of assigned development programmes — ensuring performance, cost, quality, and schedule objectives are met in full alignment with Safran Group standards and the DEV process (including APQP).

The Senior Project Manager, together with the Programme Manager and the PCE acts as the principal project interface with the customer and key stakeholders. They lead cross-functional Integrated Programme Teams (IPTs) possibly spanning UK, France, and US sites, and are accountable for driving convergence of the technical-economic definition of the product against programme targets. The role sits within a wider PCE Office structure overseen by the Head of PCE Office and is aligned to the ADVANCE Engineering Transformation Programme's goals of improved delivery performance, NRC reduction, and engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Delivery — Performance, Cost, Quality, Schedule & Risk Management
• Structure and lead the project (in direct or under PCE delegation), respecting objectives across performance, cost, quality, and schedule, and arbitrating or proposing arbitrations to the Steering Committee or PCE on budget, resources (people and equipment).
• Establish and drive the project development plan, ensuring the PCE or product engineer validates achievement of product performance objectives.
• Own accountability for development schedule adherence, from contract award to entry into service, across all sites.
• Own accountability for Non‑Recurring Cost (NRC) and Recurring Cost (RC) targets allocated to the project, and for customer support costs during the development phase — considering manufacturability and maintainability constraints in line with programme objectives.
• Drive convergence of the technical‑economic product definition against programme targets, deploying collaborative co‑engineering actions across all stakeholders (engineering, industrialisation, procurement, etc.).
• Plan project activities and development reviews in line with programme and customer milestones.
• Analyse and instruct impact assessments (cost, schedule, risk) for any project evolution or change, in conjunction with responsible Work Package leaders.
• Lead identification, assessment, and management of technical risks and opportunities, considering return‑of‑experience.
• Ensure the project risk register is maintained, reviewed at appropriate cadence, and escalated where required.
• Manage change requests and change notices in the PLM system, ensuring compliance with Configuration Management standards.
• Assess the cost, schedule, and risk impact of all changes before approval, and present recommendations to the PCE, Programme Manager, Steering Committee.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Interface
• Serve as the primary project interface with the customer and all stakeholders (regulatory bodies, partners, suppliers) in the execution of the project, in line with the framework set by the Programme Manager, Steering Committee, PCE.
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and rigorous communication of project status to customers, programme directors, and cross‑site IPT members.
• Represent the Voice of the Customer within the project team and maintain alignment between IPT members and customer commitments.
• Coordinate the multidisciplinary project development teams — including external suppliers and build‑to‑spec partners — across all project phases, including product design and improvement activities.
• Planning, Reporting & Governance
• Develop and maintain the project master schedule in the company tool, integrating inputs from UK, France, and US teams and aligning to Safran's project management standards.
• Ensure regular reporting of development progress to the Programme Manager and the Steering Committee. Update the project dashboard at a minimum monthly, covering RC/NRC, milestone tracking, technical progress, deliverables, and KDDs (Key Decision Dates).
• Project Governance and PMO
• Approve project documents in line with governance requirements.
• Pilot a PMO function where required to support project governance.
• Facilitate project reviews and Steering Committee meetings; manage action closure and milestone adherence.
• Ensure compliance with project management processes, development lifecycle process rules, design best practices, and test material conformance requirements.
• Resource & Capability Management
• Ensure the project is resourced appropriately — budget, skills, competencies, and equipment — commensurate with project objectives.
• Coordinate cross‑site Work Package allocation with counterpart Project Managers in France and the US, supporting the shared delivery model of the PCE Office.
• Provide day‑to‑day coordination and guidance to Project Managers supporting the project and contribute to their professional development.
• Champion use of Safran digital tools and standard PM methodology across the project team.
• Continuous Improvement.

Requirements

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience leading complex engineering development programmes in an aerospace, defence, or similarly regulated environment.
• Strong track record of managing programme performance against cost (NRC/RC), schedule, and quality targets through the full development lifecycle.
• Experience acting as the primary customer interface and managing senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional, cross‑site IPTs, including management of external suppliers and build‑to‑spec partners.
• Proficiency in formal project management methodologies — APM, PMI, or equivalent — with a working understanding of PLM framework or an equivalent stage‑gate development process.
• Proficiency in risk and opportunity management, change control, and project governance frameworks.
• Degree‑level qualification in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline (or equivalent demonstrable experience).

Desirable Experience

• Direct experience within Safran Group or an equivalent large Tier 1 aerospace supplier.
• Knowledge of Planisware OSMOZ (Safran's project management platform) or equivalent enterprise PM/ERP system.
• Familiarity with the company PLM system and engineering change management processes.
• Experience of APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) and aerospace quality standards (AS9100).
• Familiarity with MBSE, digital engineering tools, or Model‑Based Digital Controller development.
• French language skills (working proficiency) — beneficial for cross‑site coordination with the programme community.
• Experience with Agile project management methodology and its application in an engineering development context.

Skills & Behaviours

• Delivery Accountability: Gets things done with rigour. Takes ownership of NRC, schedule, and quality targets and drives delivery through the team.
• Technical Credibility: Understands engineering challenges well enough to challenge assumptions, assess risk impact, and earn the respect of PCEs and engineering leads.
• Stakeholder Leadership: Builds trust with customers, programme directors, and cross‑site teams. Communicates clearly and consistently, tailoring to audience.
• Structured Thinking: Brings clarity to complex programmes. Uses process, data, and governance frameworks to create order and transparency.
• Collaborative: Thrives in a multi‑site, multi‑cultural environment. Works effectively across UK, France, and US, and fosters inclusive team relationships.
• Proactive Risk Management: Anticipates issues, escalates early, and always arrives with a recommended course of action alongside the problem.
• Integrity: Maintains accurate records, reports status honestly, and operates with transparency at all levels.
• Communication and Negotiation: Communicates clearly and adapts style to audience. Skilled at negotiating and influencing effectively at all levels, internally and externally.

Benefits

• Early finish on a Friday - 0800-1645 Mon‑Thurs, 0800-1200 Friday.
• Onsite canteen.