Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

4 days per week on-site

Must be eligible for SC Clearance (sole UK national due to programme security requirements)

Copello are working with a leading defence and secure communications organisation based near High Wycombe, who are seeking a Senior Project Manager to join a specialist Business Unit delivering advanced communications equipment into highly secure and mission-critical environments.

This is a key role within a high-performing delivery function, responsible for leading complex design and development programmes within a secure defence setting. The position sits within a flexible Project Management team structure, where individuals may be required to support additional Business Units or programmes depending on business demand and strategic priorities.

The organisation is looking for a highly organised, commercially aware Project Manager who sees this opportunity as a clear next step in their career progression and is motivated to grow within the business over the short to medium term.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of technically complex communications equipment design and development programmes, from bid phase through to final customer acceptance.

• Support and contribute to bid creation activities, including schedule development, cost inputs, risk assessment, and proposal documentation.

• Own full financial oversight of assigned projects, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting.

• Develop and maintain detailed, integrated project schedules using Primavera P6 (or equivalent planning tools).

• Act as the primary interface between engineering (RF, systems, mechanical), manufacturing, supply chain, commercial teams, and customers.

• Ensure delivery to agreed scope, cost, schedule, and quality requirements within a secure defence framework.

• Manage project risks, issues, dependencies, and change control processes in line with governance requirements.

• Maintain accurate and compliant documentation including schedules, earned value data, financial reports, and risk registers.

• Support cross-BU collaboration where required, contributing to a flexible and scalable PM capability.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience delivering design and development programmes within defence, aerospace, or high-reliability communications environments.

• Strong experience in financial management, project reporting, and cost control within engineering programmes.

• Demonstrable experience supporting or leading bid and proposal activities.

• Advanced planning and scheduling expertise, ideally using Primavera P6.

• Strong understanding of structured project governance, including risk, change, and configuration management.

• Confident stakeholder manager with experience engaging internal engineering teams and external customers.

• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing competing priorities in a secure, regulated environment.

• Sole UK nationality required due to programme security and export control requirements.

Desirable

• Experience working on RF or communications hardware programmes.

• Experience within a multi-BU or matrix delivery structure.

• Familiarity with earned value management (EVM) methodologies.

• Formal PM qualification (APM, PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent).

Please note SC Clearance is required for this role.

If you feel you have the skills and experience please apply nowand we will be in touch for a further conversation