Project manager - Design and Manufacture

Job Title:              Project Manager – Design & Manufacture

Salary:                  £40 – 50,000 PA (dependent on experience)

Location:             Bedford

Duration:             Permanent

Our client is a leading aerospace R&D consultancy based in Bedford, the have an excellent opportunity for a Project Manager to join their Aerodynamics business unit.  

we are looking to recruit an experienced Project Manager with commercial acumen and excellent problem-solving capabilities to lead the successful delivery of revenue earning as well as internal R&D projects in close cooperation with project technical managers.

You will play an integral part in the development of world leading capabilities that emerge from the challenges posed by our customers at the cutting edge of aerodynamic research. 

Reporting to the Head of Design and Manufacture, the successful candidate must have a track record of delivering multiple technical projects simultaneously and within demanding constraints in a project-based technical environment.

This is a varied and dynamic role; no two days are the same. The successful candidate will get the opportunity to:

• Take full ownership of project management assignments from requirements capture and business case to closure.
• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams to successful project outcomes, ensuring business objectives and deadlines are met and within budget.
• Act as first point of contact with the customer and accountable for ensuring all project related deliverables meet required standards on time and within budget.
• Lead and support the preparation of project justifications and business cases, with input of the technical managers including estimating; risk management; planning and presentation of business proposals to project sponsor and company management.
• Lead project change management process working with the project team to effectively manage changes to requirements, timescales and associated costs whilst avoiding scope creep.
• Manage resources assigned to the project effectively to ensure successful delivery.
• Support effective cash flow management with the input of the procurement and finance teams, ensuring subcontract payment terms are favourable where possible.
• Prepare and present regular project status reports to stakeholders and senior management – highlighting issues offering effective solutions to overcome them.
• Work in a safe and professional manner and in full compliance with UK law, and in compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental procedures, Quality standards and procedures, and Security policies and procedures and (where applicable) those of business partners.
• Capture and document key assumptions to ensure commercial interests are protected.
• Support negotiations with suppliers (working with procurement team and technical experts).

What we would like to see:

• University honours degree or equivalent and experience in a STEM/technically related discipline.
• Project management qualification or ability to demonstrate experience of project management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven experience of project leadership, including clear communications with all stakeholders.
• Ability to capture and manage project requirements, prepare a work breakdown structure, project plan, and resource estimate.
• Proven experience preparing project justification and supporting documentation including pricing estimate(s) and risk and opportunity register(s).
• Confident, self-motivated as well as imaginative and creative with good problem-solving skills.
• Used to working under pressure and competent in making critical decisions promptly.
• Readily adaptable to rapidly changing circumstances.
• Well-organised with a collaborative approach to problem solving and ability to influence.
• Flexible – occasional international travel and out of hours working required.