Project Manager - Hudderfield

Project Manager | UK Defence Sector

Huddersfield | Hybrid | Perm | Full-time | 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday)

Shape Complex Defence Projects from Start to Finish

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Project Manager to join our UK Defence business, taking ownership of the successful delivery of complex, long-duration projects. This is a pivotal role where you will lead from the front-ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in full alignment with contractual and technical requirements.

You will operate at the heart of the business, collaborating across multiple functions and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally. If you thrive in a structured yet fast-paced environment and enjoy managing complexity, this role offers both challenge and reward.

What Youll Be Responsible For

As Project Manager, you will act as the Project Owner, with full accountability for execution and delivery. Your responsibilities will span the entire project lifecycle:

Project Leadership & Execution

Lead the delivery of one or more complex projects, ensuring alignment to scope, schedule, and budget
Drive performance against established product, project, and contract baselines
Maintain clear ownership and accountability for outcomes

Contract & Deliverables Management

Ensure all contractual obligations and deliverables are achieved
Monitor progress against milestones and proactively address any deviations

Planning & Governance

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute robust Project Management Plans
Ensure governance frameworks and controls are adhered to throughout delivery

Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders
Tailor communication based on stakeholder needs, influence, and expectations
Build trust through transparency, clarity, and consistency

Risk & Opportunity Management

Identify, assess, and manage risks and opportunities at project level
Implement mitigation strategies and capitalise on opportunities where possible

Change Control

Lead structured change management processes
Ensure all changes are captured, assessed, and controlled effectively

Financial Oversight

Manage forecasting and ensure achievement of cash milestone payments
Partner with Finance to track and report project financial performance

Issue Resolution

Proactively identify and resolve issues
Minimise impact to project scope, schedule, and cost

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

Track project performance, including dependencies, assumptions, and critical path
Produce clear, data-driven reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders

Relationship Building

Foster strong, collaborative relationships across project teams and stakeholder groups
Promote a positive, solution-focused team culture

What You Bring

Were looking for someone who combines technical understanding with strong leadership and organisational capability.

Experience & Knowledge:

? Proven experience in Project Management (formal qualification desirable)

? Background in Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing environments preferred

? Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Project)

? SAP knowledge advantageous, but not essential

Core Competencies:

Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Strong organisational ability with excellent time management
Confidence in managing multiple priorities simultaneously
Resilience and adaptability in a challenging, fast-paced environment
Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capability

Leadership Qualities:

Integrity and accountability
Collaborative approach with the ability to influence and guide others
Skilled in conflict resolution and decision-making
Emotionally intelligent, with the ability to adapt communication styles

Why Join?

Youll be joining a globally recognised engineering organisation with a rich heritage spanning nearly 300 years, delivering high-performance mechanical power transmission solutions across defence, marine, industrial, and energy sectors.

With 24 locations worldwide and over 1,200 employees, we combine deep engineering expertise with global manufacturing capability-supporting some of the most demanding and mission-critical applications.

This is your opportunity to:

? Work on impactful, high-value defence projects

? Collaborate with experienced professionals across multiple disciplines

? Grow your career in a structured and supportive environment

? Be part of a business with a strong legacy and forward-looking innovation

Important Information

Due to the sensitive nature of the work within the defence sector:

Employment is subject to security and export control restrictions
Factors such as nationality and place of birth may affect eligibility
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK
Successful applicants must be able to obtain the required security clearance

If youre ready to take ownership of complex projects and make a tangible impact within the defence sector, wed love to hear from you. Apply today or reach out for a confidential discussion.