SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - Nuclear & Defence (South)

Why This Role

At BakerHicks, our Senior Project Managers lead the delivery of some of the UK’s most complex Defence infrastructure programmes. Working in secure, highly regulated and live operational environments, you’ll deliver projects that directly support national security and Defence capability.

BakerHicks’ Nuclear & Defence team delivers multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery services across highly regulated, secure and assurance-driven environments.

The team supports clients across the nuclear and defence sectors, working on complex infrastructure, facilities, technical buildings, secure estates and asset upgrade projects where safety, compliance, quality and robust delivery governance are critical.

About You

The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of delivering engineering and construction projects within highly regulated environments. They will be comfortable leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing client and contractor interfaces, and balancing technical, commercial and programme objectives to achieve successful project outcomes.

The role requires a practical understanding of both design and construction delivery, with the ability to challenge and support project teams to develop safe, compliant, buildable and cost-effective solutions. Experience working within secure environments and managing projects through established governance and assurance processes will be essential.

Responsibilities  

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of assigned Defence projects, ensuring clear scope, programme, budget, quality and risk controls are established and maintained.
• Act as the primary project interface between BakerHicks, the client, internal discipline teams, contractors, consultants and other key stakeholders.
• Manage projects across the full lifecycle, including feasibility, design development, procurement support, construction interface, commissioning support, handover and close-out.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary design outputs to ensure they are buildable, compliant and aligned with client requirements, site constraints, security considerations and construction sequencing.
• Develop and maintain project programmes, delivery plans, risk registers, action trackers, change records and progress reporting to support effective governance and decision-making.
• Support commercial and financial management, including forecasting, cost control, change management, variations and input into cost value reporting where required.
• Lead regular project meetings, provide clear reporting to internal and client stakeholders, and proactively manage issues, actions and dependencies.
• Work closely with construction and site teams to identify buildability risks, manage design-to-construction interfaces, and support safe, practical and efficient delivery on live or operational Defence sites.
• Ensure compliance with BakerHicks’ Integrated Management System, client procedures, quality requirements, CDM duties, health and safety expectations and relevant security protocols.

Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications  

 Qualifications

• Relevant project management qualification or working towards professional accreditation, such as APM, PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent.
• Degree or equivalent experience in project management, construction management, engineering, architecture, quantity surveying or a related discipline.
• Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), MAPM or equivalent professional accreditation desirable.

Experience

• Proven experience leading projects within Defence establishments, nuclear licensed sites, secure estate, major infrastructure, construction, engineering consultancy or another highly regulated environment.
• Proven experience delivering engineering design and construction projects, with responsibility for scope, programme, budget, risk and stakeholder management.
• Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams and managing interfaces between design, procurement, construction and client stakeholders.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of structured project delivery, including scope management, programme control, risk management, change control, reporting and governance.
• Good understanding of engineering design processes, design management principles and technical assurance requirements.
• Understanding of project governance and stage-gated delivery processes within regulated environments.
• Practical understanding of construction delivery, buildability, site constraints, contractor interfaces, CDM requirements and health and safety responsibilities.
• Strong client-facing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and communicate confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness, including experience supporting budget management, forecasting, variations and contract administration, ideally under NEC or similar contract frameworks.

Ability and willingness to work in secure environments and obtain the required level of security clearance for Defence client work.

Desirable

• Existing or previously held BPSS, SC or DV Security Clearance.
• Experience of delivering refurbishment, infrastructure, building, facilities, hangar, accommodation, secure office, utilities or asset upgrade projects within live operational environments.
• Experience delivering projects for Defence clients such as MoD, DIO, AWE, QinetiQ, DSTL, BAE Systems or similar organisations.
• Knowledge of BIM, asset information, configuration management or digital project controls within regulated project delivery.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by various factors. The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain security clearance for this role as required by our clients and sectors. 

Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK () 

About BakerHicks  

We’ve been innovating in design, engineering and project delivery since 1957 and operate from 14 locations for a truly European reach. For more about our company story, see: About | BakerHicks . 

BakerHicks. A Morgan Sindall Group company.  

Benefits  

Whatever your discipline, you’ll be alongside some of the most talented people in the industry. Our network of offices are appealing, friendly and comfortable spaces, easily accessible by car or public transport. And our salary and benefits packages are some of the best in the industry.  

What you get will depend on what you do, with individual performance-related rewards also on offer in addition to: 

• Company car or cash allowance 
• Up to 6% matched contributory pension plan 
• Life assurance scheme 
• 25 days annual leave plus ability to buy additional leave 
• Discount scheme (including gym membership, mobile phones etc) 
• Flexible/hybrid working 
• Family friendly policies 
• Employee assistance 
• Professional development 

BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout.  
BakerHicks is an inclusive organisation welcoming talent from all backgrounds. Applicants are assessed on the basis of personal merit and qualifications.  

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