Project Manager (Band 4/HEO)

Job summary

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Science Division is a world-leading provider of health and safety solutions to industry and government. The scope of our work requires a diversity of talented individuals to investigate workplace incidents, provide scientific support to HSE inspectors directly or through research and, provide consultancy support and training to UK industry.

This exciting opportunity will be based at the HSE Science and Research Centre, our research laboratory and unique outdoor testing facilities, in Buxton, Derbyshire and you will be working as part of our Science Division Project Management Team. Do you have experience as a Project Manager? If so, this is a fantastic opportunity to deliver projects that make a real difference to protecting people across Great Britain’s workplaces. As Project Manager (PM), you will be working on a portfolio of medium-high risk science and engineering based health and safety related projects, generally using waterfall methodology. You will be part of a team of PM specialists and will oversee a diverse portfolio of projects, for both commercial clients and HSE while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 28 hours per week over four days.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure, through customer engagement, that the project plans accurately define the project aim, objectives, and overall scope of work.
• Motivate and lead the delivery team to identify requirements, plan the work and manage delivery to quality, time, and cost.
• Proactive budget and cost management.
• Schedule management.
• Understand the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders and ensure effective communications throughout the project life cycle.
• Ensure effective project risk management is in place to ensure effective delivery and protect the business against financial risk.
• Recording key project information in line with business needs so that senior managers can make informed decisions.

Person specification

Essential Skills & Criteria

• Experience of managing and delivering projects successfully through the full project lifecycle, demonstrating robust knowledge and effective application of project management tools, techniques and methodologies. (Lead Criterion)
• Good organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing demands simultaneously, prioritising effectively to deliver work to the required quality, timescales and outcomes.
• Proven experience of identifying, assessing and managing project risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle, developing and implementing effective mitigation and contingency actions.
• Financial and commercial awareness, with experience of budget management, cost estimation, resource allocation and monitoring expenditure to support the delivery of projects on time and within budget.
• Well developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with team members, colleagues, senior managers and external stakeholders to build understanding, secure agreement and achieve project objectives.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams, building and maintaining positive working relationships, bringing people together and balancing competing needs to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Demonstrates a high degree of personal resilience and adaptability, with the ability to perform effectively in ambiguous, challenging and changing environments, together with a willingness to work towards an additional APM qualification.

There is the expectation that you will attend the Buxton office at least 3 days per week.

Qualifications

A Nationally recognised Project Management qualification

GCSEs in English and Mathematics (or equivalent qualification)

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Demonstrate Project Management knowledge and application on medium-high risk projects, throughout the whole project life-cycle

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,005, Health and Safety Executive contributes £11,010 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector.
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 185 hours annual holiday increasing to 222 hours after 5 years' qualifying service, plus public holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave (recorded as 7.4 hours in addition to your annual leave balance)
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Please be advised that the tests ARE NOT timed

Upon submitting your short application form, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible, within 24-48 hours is recommended, to allow time to complete your full application.

If you successfully pass the test, you will then be invited to complete the final stage of your application.

You must complete the online tests and your full application form by Midday on the 24th of September 2026. If you fail to complete the online test and full application form before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs webs