This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the Defence Materials Centre of Excellence (DMEx), a nationally significant Dstl-funded programme hosted at the University of Manchester.

We are seeking an experienced and confident Senior Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery across a diverse and fast-paced programme portfolio. Reporting to the DMEx Operations Manager, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping operational excellence, embedding robust governance, and ensuring the Centre consistently delivers to time, cost, quality, and compliance.

About the role

About you

You will be an experienced project or programme management professional with:

• Proven experience managing a high-value portfolio of projects in complex, fast-moving environments
• Strong understanding and practical application of project management best practice, including risk and issue management, governance, and assurance
• Experience leading or contributing to a Project Management Office (PMO), including process standardisation and continuous improvement
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial forecasting, performance reporting, and multi-stakeholder delivery
• Confidence operating at senior level with demanding stakeholders and navigating organisational complexity
• Strong analytical capability, with experience using management data to drive decision-making and performance improvement
• Excellent leadership, communication, and resilience skills
• Experience working in regulated, sensitive, or secure environments, and familiarity with formal PM tools and methodologies, would be highly advantageous.

Security requirements

Successful candidates may be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks and potentially undergo Security Clearance. Due to the nature of this clearance, candidates will need to have sole UK nationality. DMEx has an ethnically diverse team of UK nationals.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the Points Based System. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK in order to be eligible to take up the post.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Len Williamson

Email: Len.williamson@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.