Senior Client-Side Construction Project Manager

Job Title: Senior Client-Side Construction Project Manager

Location: Samlesbury/Warton – Full time on site

Salary: £60,000+ plus Overtime and Benefits

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.

What you’ll be doing :

As a Senior Client-Side Construction Project Manager, you’ll provide strategic leadership for major capital construction projects that enable the future of our aircraft manufacturing business. Acting as the intelligent client, you’ll shape project requirements, establish delivery strategies and lead multidisciplinary design teams through the successful delivery of new manufacturing, assembly and specialist test facilities.

Accountable for project outcomes from business case through to operational handover, you’ll balance cost, programme, quality, risk and stakeholder requirements while navigating complex technical, operational and regulatory environments. Working closely with senior business stakeholders, consultants and contractors, you’ll ensure our projects deliver lasting value for the organisation and its end users.

Core duties:

• Act as the intelligent client on behalf of the business and end-users, shaping project objectives, defining delivery strategies and ensuring investment decisions support operational and strategic business needs
• Establish, manage and control the overall project brief, scope and success criteria from inception through to completion
• Appoint and manage the professional services team (e.g. designers, cost consultants, planners) and oversee their performance and coordination
• Develop, maintain and oversee the project programme, ensuring key milestones, approvals and deliverables are achieved on time
• Monitor and control the budget, including cost planning, value engineering, change control and financial reporting
• Identify, manage and mitigate project risks, ensuring appropriate risk allowances, contingency strategies and governance are in place
• Oversee construction delivery, monitoring progress, quality, safety and compliance with contractual and statutory obligations, (e.g. CDM Regs, Permits to Work, etc)
• Manage change management processes, ensuring variations are justified, approved and controlled in terms of cost, time and quality
• Coordinate commissioning, handover and close-out activities ensuring the building has all required documentation, certifications and aftercare arrangements
• Mentor and support Project Managers and Assistant Project Managers, sharing knowledge and promoting best practice across the project delivery team

Skill and Qualifications:

• Proven experience delivering large-scale construction or infrastructure projects (£20m+ preferred)
• Strong client-facing capability with excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills
• Robust understanding of construction methodologies, industrial building systems and complex MEP installations
• Experience in managing or working within NEC, JCT or equivalent contract forms
• Competence in project management tools and methodologies (e.g. MS Project, Primavera, APM framework, RIBA Plan of Works)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary consultant and contractor teams in a highly regulated environment
• Strong commercial acumen and risk-based decision-making skills
• Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline
• Professional membership of APM, CIOB, RICS or equivalent

The Investment Projects Team:

The Investment Projects team delivers dedicated construction project management for our aircraft manufacturing business, overseeing the procurement and build of specialist facilities for new aircraft production.You will join at an early stage, supporting master planning and evolving requirements that drive demand for new buildings. As a Senior Building Lead, you will provide leadership for major capital projects, defining delivery strategies, guiding key investment decisions and steering multidisciplinary teams through complex technical and operational challenges.Supported by a growing professional services network, this is an opportunity to contribute to a once-in-a-generation programme, delivering a long-term portfolio of major, innovative construction projects that will shape the future of the industry.

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: 10th November 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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