Project Manager

Our client, an Aerospace and Defence supplier is looking for a Project Manager to join them on a contract basis at their site in Reading.

• Due to the nature of the role, applicants must be sole British nationals and hold SC Clearance.
• Contract initially until November 2026
• 3 days per week onsite in Reading
• £87.16 p/h Umbrella, inside IR35

Role Description

The Project Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of a new Digital HR solution, leading activity from RFP and supplier selection through implementation, go-live, and transition into operations.

The role requires a hands-on, adaptable Project Manager who is comfortable working in a small team environment and able to operate at all levels-from drafting procurement documentation to managing senior stakeholders.

While the primary focus is the HR solution, the role may also support other project management activities outside HR as required.

Key Accountabilities

1. End-to-End Project Delivery

• Lead delivery of the Digital HR solution across the full lifecycle:
• RFP and supplier selection
• Mobilisation and implementation
• Go-live, hypercare, and transition to BAU operations
• Establish and maintain effective project governance, plans, controls, and reporting
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risks, issues, and dependencies

1. RFP & Supplier Selection

• Own the schedule for and support the RFP process, including:
• Drafting and coordinating RFP documentation as required
• Managing inputs from HR, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Technical teams
• Supplier evaluation, moderation, and selection
• Work closely with Finance, Commercial, Procurement, and Architecture teams to ensure:
• Compliance with sourcing and contractual requirements
• A compliant, value-for-money supplier appointment
• Support contract award and mobilisation of the chosen delivery partner

1. Delivery Partner Management

• Act as the primary day-to-day client lead for the selected delivery partner
• Set and manage delivery partner performance expectations against agreed plans, milestones, and contractual obligations
• Drive issue resolution, escalation, and recovery where required
• Work proactively with the delivery partner to minimise dependencies and mitigate delivery risks
• Ensure delivery outputs meet agreed timelines, quality, architectural, and security standards
• Ensure the solution aligns with customer expectations and requirements

1. Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Lead engagement with key corporate functions, including Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Programme Assurance
• Ensure the project aligns with governance, delivery, architecture, and security processes
• Maintain a strong, open, and constructive relationship with the Head of HR to enable timely resolution of delivery-related issues
• Manage senior stakeholders through:
• Clear communication
• Transparency
• Effective decision-making forums
• Lead the PI Planning aspects associated with this solution

1. Collaboration with Architecture & Product

• Work closely with the Solution Architect to ensure delivery aligns with approved architecture and technical standards
• Partner with the Product Owner to align delivery priorities with HR business needs and outcomes
• Ensure business requirements are translated into deliverable, governed work packages

1. Transition to Operations

• Lead planning and execution of:
• Cutover and go-live
• Hypercare and stabilisation
• Operational handover and service acceptance
• Ensure operational readiness, documentation, and ownership are in place before transition to BAU

1. Flexibility & Wider Contribution

• Operate flexibly within a small team, contributing beyond a traditional PM remit where required
• Be prepared to support non-HR project activities as priorities dictate
• Balance hands-on delivery tasks with senior stakeholder management

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience as a Project Manager delivering COTS and/or Digital SaaS HR solutions
• Demonstrated delivery of at least two HR implementations from RFP through to live operation
• Experience leading RFPs, supplier selection, and contract mobilisation
• Strong experience managing external delivery partners and systems integrators
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including engagement at executive level
• Strong understanding of project governance, financial controls, and assurance processes
• Experience working in Agile, Hybrid, or structured delivery environments
• Comfortable working across discovery, delivery, and operational phases
• Experience with Azure DevOps
• Familiar with working within security and assurance frameworks

Desirable

• Experience working in small or lean delivery teams
• Experience delivering technology solutions in complex or regulated environments
• Familiarity with SaaS-based enterprise solutions