Lead Project Manager

Job Title: Lead Project Manager

Location: Portsmouth Naval Base – 2-3 days per week on site

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Up to £46,000 (dependent on skills and experience)

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role Description:

The Lead Project Manager manages small projects or defined work packages within larger programmes, ensuring delivery aligns with agreed objectives, timelines, and budgets. They apply appropriate project management methods, oversee planning, reporting, risk, and stakeholder engagement, and support integration of project activities to drive effective outcomes. They provide guidance on PM practices, contribute informed analysis to support decision-making, and promote knowledge sharing while delivering results with minimal supervision.

Core Duties:

• Able to undertake advanced problem solving typically based on previous experience
• Have a comprehensive knowledge of Business process and procedures
• Able to lead a small project or a work package of a larger project
• Identifies, assesses and manages risks and opportunities to the success of the project
• Applies appropriate PM methods and tools whether predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches
• Agrees project approach with stakeholders, develops realistic plans, and tracks delivery against schedule while managing stakeholder engagement
• Consolidate expertise from multiple sources, including third party experts, to provide coherent advice to further organisational objectives
• Supports and promotes the development and sharing of specialist knowledge within the organisation

Essential Skills:

• You will hold a PM Qualification such as the APM Project Management Qualification or another appropriate PM professional body
• You will have a university degree or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable practical knowledge gained through relevant experience
• Application of related PM competencies will be expected at this level
• You will have stakeholder management skills, effective verbal and written communication, problem-solving capability, and a proven track record of delivery
• Experience working within the defence sector is beneficial

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Engineering Project Group (EPG):

The Engineering Project Group (EPG) leads delivery of a high-profile capability upgrade to the Type 45 Destroyer, a critical programme for both BAE Systems and the Royal Navy. As a multidisciplinary team, they are responsible for planning, design, and execution, coordinating stakeholders, managing budgets and schedules, and ensuring technical quality, safety, compliance, and effective risk management across the full project lifecycle.

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.

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: 9th July 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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