Project Manager (MOD SC) in Portsmouth

Project Manager - Operational Reference and Encyclopaedic Data

Candidate job description and person specification for a Project Manager supporting a specialist operational data service within Navy Command.

Role purpose

The Project Manager will lead the day-to-day delivery of a specialist operational data support service for Navy Command. The role is about keeping a small, highly skilled team organised, clear on priorities and able to deliver reliably for the customer.

You will be the main point of contact for the customer, making sure work is planned, resourced, reported and delivered to the required standard. You will also help manage risks, resolve issues early, and maintain confidence that the service is under control.

About the work

The service supports the Maritime C5ISR Support Unit and wider Navy Command by maintaining and improving operational reference data, specialist applications, publications, quality processes and information management services.

The work is delivered by a team of specialists working in a Defence environment. The Project Manager's role is not to be the technical expert in every area, but to ensure the right people are in place, priorities are clear, delivery is visible, and the customer is kept properly informed.

Key responsibilities

Delivery management

Own the overall delivery plan, making sure the team understands what needs to be delivered, by when, and to what standard. Keep plans current as priorities change and ensure any risks to delivery are raised early, with practical options to resolve them.

Governance, reporting and customer engagement

Act as the main day-to-day customer contact, maintaining a clear rhythm of updates, reviews and issue management. The role will involve regular conversations with the customer, written progress updates and more formal performance reviews when required.

Performance management

Monitor service performance, gather evidence of delivery and make sure any concerns are addressed before they become bigger problems. You will need to be comfortable using performance information to support honest conversations with both the team and the customer.

Resourcing, clearance and mobilisation

Plan and maintain the resource picture for the service. This includes understanding current and future staffing needs, helping manage recruitment or replacement activity, and ensuring people have the right clearances and access to work effectively in a Defence environment.

Information management, security and handover

Ensure information is handled appropriately in line with customer requirements and Defence working practices. Support smooth handover or transition activity by keeping documentation, responsibilities and key knowledge well organised.

Main areas of responsibility

The Project Manager will oversee a range of specialist support activities, including operational data analysis, database and application support, technical publications, message format services, quality management, information management and cyber-related assurance activity.

• Maintaining a clear delivery plan and keeping the customer informed of progress.
• Co-ordinating a multidisciplinary team of specialists working on customer-owned systems and sites.
• Managing risks, issues, dependencies and changes in priority.
• Supporting recruitment, clearance, onboarding and continuity planning for key roles.
• Preparing straightforward performance updates and supporting formal reviews.
• Ensuring documentation, information handling and handover activity remain well controlled.

Person specification

Essential

• Current SC clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain SC clearance before starting the role.
• Experience managing projects, services or contracts in a Defence, government, technical or otherwise regulated environment.
• A recognised project management qualification such as APM PMQ or PRINCE2 Practitioner, or equivalent practical experience.
• Confident leadership of a multi-disciplinary team of specialists working on customer premises and on customer-owned ICT.
• Experience of resource planning, recruitment support, onboarding or continuity planning, ideally in a security cleared environment.
• Clear, confident communication with customers, colleagues and senior stakeholders, including written updates and formal reviews.
• Practical risk and issue management skills, with the ability to keep plans, actions and decisions well organised.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of change control, performance reporting and customer expectations.
• Able to work predominantly from Portsdown Technology Park, Portsmouth, with occasional travel to other military locations across the UK.

Desirable

• Familiarity with Royal Navy or wider Defence information services, command and control systems, or intelligence data products.
• Understanding of quality management to ISO 9001 and of audit-based assurance regimes.
• Experience of mobilisation, service transition and exit, including knowledge transfer to or from an incumbent supplier.
• Awareness of information management, records review and SharePoint governance in a Defence setting.
• Experience of Defence commercial terms and DEFCON-based conditions.

Working arrangements

The role is based mainly at Portsdown Technology Park, Portsmouth, with regular customer engagement in the Portsmouth area and occasional travel to other UK military locations.

The successful candidate will work in a Defence environment, using customer systems and following customer security and site procedures. SC clearance is an essential requirement for the role and must be held, or obtained, before taking up the post.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.