Senior Project Manager

Job Title\: Senior Project Manager

Location\: Preston/Frimley - We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Referral Bonus\: £1000

Grade\: GG12

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Job Description\:

This role is responsible for leading and managing a small programme of integrated projects or directly managing large complex projects that carry significant business impact. It requires providing leadership to delivery teams and suppliers, addressing issues proactively, and coordinating multiple suppliers to define and manage project plans that achieve agreed outcomes. A key focus is identifying business drivers, shaping project objectives and, where needed, supporting the development of business cases with stakeholders.

Clear and timely communication is essential, ensuring stakeholders are informed through both formal and informal channels, including project boards. The role also ensures that all project delivery adheres to Life Cycle Management (LCM) governance and assurance criteria, maintaining control, compliance and project integrity throughout execution.

Core duties\:

• Providing strong leadership to project delivery teams and third‑party suppliers to ensure successful outcomes
• Proactively managing risks, issues, dependencies and changes across projects and programmes
• Coordinating multiple suppliers and stakeholders to define, plan and deliver project activities
• Identifying business drivers and shaping project scope, objectives and deliverables
• Supporting the development of business cases in collaboration with stakeholders where required
• Communicating clearly and effectively with stakeholders through formal governance forums (including project boards) and informal channels
• Ensuring all projects are delivered in line with Life Cycle Management (LCM) governance and assurance requirements
• Maintaining control, compliance and delivery integrity throughout the full project lifecycle

Essential Skills\:

• Proven experience of leading significant Enterprise level IT projects and programmes, incorporating successful business change delivery, to meet strategic business objectives
• Ability to communicate, influence and gain agreement for ideas and proposals from a variety of stakeholders, including senior management and directors
• You will have formal Project Management training, preferably PRINCE2 Practitioner or APM (PMDY) or equivalent work experience
• Demonstrated experience working within Waterfall and Agile project frameworks is desirable, together with knowledge of SAFe Agile practices and Lean Portfolio Management (LPM)

The Digital Foundation Team\:

The Digital Foundation team sits within the Projects and Programmes organisation in Shared Services Enterprise IT. The team is responsible for delivering and managing a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects, spanning network, connectivity, and hosting technologies.

This role sits within the Network Portfolio and is responsible for delivering a range of enterprise network infrastructure projects across both UK and international sites. The role supports business change, transition, and transformation initiatives, ensuring digital infrastructure capabilities are aligned with business strategy, operational priorities, and technology roadmaps.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive\:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date\: 23rd October 2026