DMEx Senior Project Manager

Join a national centre delivering mission-critical defence research

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.

DMEx leads the UK higher education sector in defence materials research, coordinating a complex portfolio of high-value Research and Technology programmes with 25 partner organisations, including leading universities, Catapults, and Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs). The Centre delivers against demanding contractual, security, and operational requirements in support of the MOD’s Advanced Materials Programme.

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

As Senior Project Manager, you will:

• Hold overall accountability for the delivery of a complex portfolio of Research and Technology tasks, ensuring compliance with contractual, security, governance, and audit requirements
• Lead and develop the DMEx Project Management Office (PMO), line-managing a team of circa six staff across pre-award and post-award delivery, including one direct report with responsibility for a wider delivery team.
• Accountable for pre-award processes including commercial negotiation, contracting, and security clearance processes
• Assure post-award delivery through milestone and deliverable tracking, risk management, escalation, and performance intervention
• Shape, refine, and embed the Centre’s operating model, establishing scalable workflows, standardising processes, and driving continuous improvement through agile delivery approaches
• Maintain and enhance a robust KPI and reporting framework, including dashboards, data analytics, and performance insights for senior stakeholders
• Lead financial forecasting, optimisation, and control across the programme portfolio, working closely with University finance and external partners
• Chair and coordinate regular PMO review meetings with Dstl and internal stakeholders, providing clear, evidence-based reporting and recommendations
• Provide senior-level intervention with suppliers and partners where delivery issues, risks, or under-performance arise
• Build and sustain effective relationships with senior stakeholders across academia, industry, Dstl, and defence partner organisations

You will thrive in a high-tempo, highly regulated environment, bringing authority, structure, and clarity to complex delivery challenges while maintaining strong collaborative relationships across a diverse consortium.

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. Eligibility for Security Clearance will be assessed as part of the recruitment process.

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