Senior Project Manager - IS8 in Swindon

The key purpose of this role is to support the effective management, delivery and coordination of an IS8 programme or to support the integration of all IS8 programmes under the responsibility of the Executive Chair as Senior Responsibility Owner (SRO). As an IS8 Senior Project Manager you will collaborate with colleagues across UKRI to help deliver strategic government and societal priorities through the UKRI Industrial Strategy programmes. You will play a key role in programme and project governance, ensuring that intended benefits and outcomes are successfully achieved. You will be responsible for driving and overseeing the delivery of a suite of projects, ensuring that objectives are clearly defined and delivered within agreed time, cost and quality parameters. You will facilitate collaboration across teams and lead effective communication with stakeholders to support the design, development and delivery of programme activities. You will either be assigned to one of the IS8 programmes (x3 roles) or to the Portfolio and Private Office to support the integration of IS8 programmes under the oversight of the SRO. Each role may have line‑management responsibilities as required. You will also provide matrix‑management oversight of relevant UKRI teams and work closely with teams supporting other Industrial Strategy programmes.

Your responsibilities:

• Coordinate and oversee delivery of programme activities, ensuring effective management of dependencies, milestones, governance, finance, risks, issues and benefits.
• Work collaboratively across councils and matrix‑managed teams to deliver programme objectives.
• Lead and contribute to the development of business cases and support approval through appropriate governance.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and communications, building strong internal and external relationships and escalating issues to senior leaders where required.
• Manage programme resources, including planning, scheduling, securing and deploying resources for complex, large‑scale programmes.
• Oversee programme performance, controls and assurance, maintaining coherence of the governance framework and managing change control processes.
• Ensure effective risk, issue and dependency management, working with project leads to resolve conflicts and unblock delivery.
• Develop and monitor benefits realisation plans, ensuring project outputs align with programme requirements.
• Manage programme and project budgets, securing approvals and ensuring delivery within agreed financial constraints.

Personal specification:

Essential:

• Proven experience delivering complex programmes or portfolios with multiple dependencies.
• The ability to effectively manage projects using different frameworks and methodologies to ensure successful delivery, including an understanding of programme governance, assurance and performance/change controls.
• Ability to work effectively in matrix environments and influence without direct authority.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior leaders.
• Demonstrated capability in managing risks, issues, dependencies and resolving delivery challenges.
• Experience managing budgets, resources and securing approvals through governance.
• Experience developing business cases and managing benefits realisation.
• Clear, confident communicator able to present complex information and drive delivery outcomes.
• Project management qualification such as APM project management qualification / PRINCE2 or transferrable skill set and the willingness to work towards one.

Desirable:

• Understanding of Green Book Business case development and Magenta Book evaluation processes.

Benefits:

• We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package.
• We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full‑time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.
• Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work‑life balance!

Equal opportunity statement:

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. UKRI requires that you be resident in the United Kingdom for a sufficient period of time for meaningful National Security Vetting checks. You should normally have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years as the role requires SC clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not bar you from gaining National Security Vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed for further advice.