At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver complex projects that shape the future in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: AWE, a leader in mission-critical projects with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 9-day working fortnight, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic leadership role with excellent career growth and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on significant projects while enjoying flexible working options.
- Qualifications: Project management experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 £ per year.
AWE has a wide range of opportunities across multiple projects for Senior Project Managers. We are looking for individuals who thrive on solving complex challenges in fast-paced environments, and who can lead and deliver on AWE's mission-critical objectives. Join us and make an impact on projects that shape the future. We're recruiting talented Project and Programme Professionals to work on a diverse range of exciting and critical programmes, including Infrastructure and Construction Projects, delivering new, complex, safe working environments; and Warhead Projects, supporting some of the most technically challenging and nationally significant work in the UK. If you're ready to contribute to projects that matter, we'd love to hear from you.
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: Salary from £64,780 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Closing Date: 02nd July 2026.
Let us introduce the role. A Senior Project Manager will lead and deliver complex projects in alignment with AWE's project delivery framework whilst commercially managing delivery partners, and delivering to cost, quality, and safety. A Senior Project Manager will come with an APM (Association of Project Management) or similar background and strive towards high performance within a matrix team to ensure project success.
As a Senior Project Manager at AWE, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of diverse, mission-critical project/programmes. Depending on the role, your responsibilities may include:
- Driving end-to-end delivery of complex projects, programmes, or portfolios - from business case development through to completion and transition into operation.
- Leading and inspiring project teams, embedding a culture of accountability, high performance, and continuous improvement.
- Championing health, safety, and environmental practices, ensuring best practice standards are achieved and supporting AWE's carbon reduction targets.
- Defining scope and delivery plans, while managing cost, schedule, and quality to meet objectives.
- Providing strong governance, producing clear decision packs, maintaining performance baselines, and leading risk and opportunity management.
- Managing commercial engagement, securing value-for-money delivery partners and suppliers, and ensuring contracts drive compliance and successful outcomes.
- Acting as a senior stakeholder manager, aligning leadership, regulators, and operations teams both within AWE and externally.
- Coaching and developing project teams, supporting early careers and fostering a culture of learning and growth.
Whilst not to be considered a checklist, a Senior Project Manager should be able to demonstrate some of the following:
- Project Management qualification/membership (APM, PMP, PRINCE2) or equivalent experience.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
- Proven experience delivering multiple, complex, high-value, cross-functional projects.
- Competence in creating and maintaining project documentation, plans, and RAIDs (risks, assumptions, issues, dependencies).
- Ability to track deliverables using KPIs and produce clear progress reports.
- Expertise in risk management, governance, and change control, including stage gate approvals.
- Commercial awareness with a focus on value, compliance, and successful delivery.
- Dynamic leadership style that empowers teams to adapt, perform, and align with AWE's vision.
Some reasons we think you'll love it here:
- 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'. Hybrid working is available for these roles on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typically, 2-3 days onsite per week.
Senior Project Manager - Reading employer: What Jobs
AWE is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic work culture and a commitment to employee growth, making it an ideal place for Senior Project Managers. With a 9-day working fortnight, generous leave policies, and a market-leading pension scheme, AWE prioritises work-life balance while providing opportunities for professional development and meaningful contributions to critical national projects. Located conveniently between Reading and Basingstoke, AWE fosters a collaborative environment where innovative problem-solving thrives, ensuring that every team member can make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager - Reading
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
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If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
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✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager - Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
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How to prepare for a job interview at What Jobs
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
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