Senior Project Manager

We Served; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Bristol is seeking a Senior Project Manager to oversee a significant submarine programme. This full-time role involves managing complex engineering projects, ensuring adherence to costs, timelines, and quality standards while leading cross-functional teams and engaging with customers. Ideal candidates have demonstrated experience in project delivery and commercial management, along with strong leadership capabilities. Hybrid working arrangements are available and applications are welcomed from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to Digital GP and health consultations

Employee share scheme

Special paid leave for reservists

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage intricate sub-tier supply chains.
• Experience in contract and commercial management.
• Full ownership of project finances including revenue and margins.
• Extensive experience managing complex projects in regulated industries.
• Experience leading and managing project staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead on next-generation submarine programme.
• Ensure project alignment with cost, time, and quality targets.
• Capture requirements and define scope for solutions.
• Manage pricing models and proposal documents.

Skills

Supply Chain management

Commercial awareness

Project delivery

Leadership

Team management

Education

APM PMQ or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Location: Ashton Vale, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: 66825

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Senior Project Manager at our Ashton Vale site.

Step into a pivotal role within our Mission Systems division at Babcock – a trusted global partner delivering integrated solutions for defence and security. Our portfolio spans cutting‑edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, advanced communications, and weapons launch and handling technologies across all domains.

In this role, you’ll lead on a next‑generation submarine programme as part of an established Integrated Project Team. You’ll take ownership of the design, development, production, qualification, and delivery of several major subsystems, driving innovation and excellence at every stage.

You’ll play a key role in one of the UK’s most significant submarine programmes, managing complex engineering projects that push the boundaries of innovation. Your mission? To keep delivery teams aligned and focused on cost, time, and quality targets while driving collaboration across the board.

From capturing requirements and defining scope to shaping technical and commercial solutions, you’ll be involved at every stage of the project lifecycle. You’ll also lead the creation of pricing models and proposal documents, ensuring our solutions meet customer needs and exceed expectations. This is your chance to make a real impact on projects that matter.

Experience

• Supply Chain and Customer Engagement: Demonstrated ability to manage intricate sub‑tier supply chains and maintain strong relationships in customer‑facing roles, driving collaboration and satisfaction.
• Commercial and Bid Management: Strong commercial awareness with hands‑on experience in contract and commercial management, as well as contributing to or leading bid submissions, pricing models, and proposal development.
• Financial and Stakeholder Accountability: Full ownership of project finances—including revenue, margins, cash flow, and forecasting—while effectively managing internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proven Expertise in Project Delivery: Extensive experience managing complex projects within highly regulated industries, ensuring compliance and successful outcomes.
• Leadership and Team Management: Skilled in building, leading, and motivating teams in a matrix environment, with direct line management responsibilities and a focus on operational and strategic oversight.

This position involves occasional travel to customer sites, as a requirement of the role.

This role is full time 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with 2‑3 days in the office/onsite and 2‑3 days working from home. Based at Ashton, Bristol.

Essential experience of the Senior Project Manager

• Experience delivering solutions with a diverse team of both internal resource teams and external supply chains and experience working with senior level managers both internally and externally.
• APM PMQ, Chartered status or equivalent (advantageous).
• Experience in leading and managing a team of project staff, providing direction and motivation, as well as managing projects with differing demands and deadline. Direct line management experience as well as leadership in a matrix environment.
• Considerable experience in the advanced application of Project Management techniques in a relevant technical project environment and great financial management to ensure a high level of profitability on projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of contract and commercial management and experience working within a highly regulated industry is highly desirable.

We value difference and don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and/or willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10‑days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing Date: 19/01/2026

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