Project Manager - Long Lead Items (LLI)

Project Manager required to work on SMR projects.
12 month contract.
Warrington based.

Duties:

Provide project management and Intelligent Customer oversight of the SMR Long Lead Items workstream from procurement and contract placement through manufacture, factory acceptance testing, transport and site delivery. Own the integrated delivery plan, monitor supplier performance, manage risks and interfaces, coordinate quality and regulatory hold points, support commercial controls, and report to GBE-N governance and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
LLI Programme Management & Oversight
- Develop, maintain and own the integrated LLI delivery plan, schedule, milestones and interfaces, aligned to the SMR Master Delivery Schedule and the path to FID.
- Act as GBE-N’s day-to-day project management lead for LLI scope, coordinating with Rolls-Royce SMR and its strategic suppliers (including nuclear island component manufacturers in the UK, EU and South Korea).
- Monitor and challenge supplier performance against schedule, cost, quality and technical requirements lead regular progress reviews, earned value reporting and look-ahead planning.
- Identify, assess and manage LLI risks, opportunities and dependencies, maintaining the risk register and escalating through governance where the critical path is threatened.
Intelligent Client / Intelligent Customer Function
- Exercise Intelligent Customer oversight of LLI design, procurement and manufacturing activities, working with the Owner’s Engineer providing independent Line of Defence 2 assurance (specification, oversight, audit, review and advice on design, scope, budget, risk, delivery and contract compliance).
- Coordinate technical, quality and regulatory review hold/witness points, including factory acceptance tests, in liaison with Design Authority, Quality, and regulatory interface teams.
- Support oversight of nuclear quality requirements (e.g. ISO 19443 and relevant nuclear codes and standards) and manufacturing surveillance across the supply chain.

Commercial, Governance and Stakeholder Management
- Support commercial management of LLI contracts: change control, milestone payments, claims and contract compliance, working with Commercial and Legal teams.
- Prepare clear, evidence-based reporting and decision papers for GBE-N governance boards, sponsors and government stakeholders.
- Build and sustain effective working relationships with Rolls-Royce SMR, suppliers, the Owner’s Engineer, regulators (ONR, EA), DESNZ and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to supply chain development, UK content and socio-economic benefit objectives within LLI procurement.
- Ensure project activities comply with GBN’s governance frameworks, nuclear safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
- Proven experience supporting infrastructure projects in regulated environments, ideally within nuclear or energy sectors.
- Strong understanding of long lead item procurement and manufacturing (forgings, pressure vessels, large mechanical or electrical plant), including supplier schedule and quality surveillance.
- Familiarity with NEC3/4 contract forms and alliancing delivery models.
- Multi-sector project experience, with the ability to adapt to different delivery contexts.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills, with attention to detail.
- Effective communicator with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Proactive, collaborative, and delivery-focused mindset.
Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Nuclear Science, Physics, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- Project Management accreditation (e.g. APM PMQ, PRINCE2, PMP) is desirable
- Experience working within a regulated industry, process, oil and gas or government infrastructure programme is desirable.
- Additional training or certification in nuclear safety or reactor systems is advantageous.
- Ability to obtain and maintain UK security clearance (BPSS level minimum or SC level )