Project Manager - Defence

About the Role

This consultancy‑based position is client‑focused, measuring success by close collaboration and exceeding client expectations. Expectation is to spend around 60% of time on client sites or Turner & Townsend offices, with travel as needed. The main purpose is to lead project management commissions, manage key accounts, oversee commercial aspects such as budgeting and forecasting, control schedules for complex programmes, ensure delivery to time, cost and quality targets, support clients’ Net Zero transitions, and build long‑term trusted advisor relationships. • Lead end‑to‑end delivery of project management commissions for defence infrastructure. • Manage and develop key client accounts while cultivating new relationships. • Oversee commercial aspects, including monthly budgeting, forecasting and budget control. • Create and maintain project schedules for complex programmes. • Ensure projects meet time, cost, quality and sustainability targets, supporting Net Zero transition. • Act as a trusted advisor, building long‑term client partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸project delivery
• ▸schedule management
• ▸budget control
• ▸client management
• ▸net zero
• ▸trusted advisor

What You Bring

The role requires candidates to be a sole UK national capable of obtaining and maintaining UK MoD Security Clearance (SC), with existing clearance being desirable. We are seeking a Project Manager for the Defence North team to support construction infrastructure projects across the North of the UK, from the Midlands and Cumbria to Scotland, working within a team of more than 40 people based primarily in Manchester with additional presence in Nottingham, Leeds, Barrow and Glasgow. Candidates must hold a degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline and a professional qualification from APM, PMI or PRINCE2. Experience in administering NEC (or similar) contracts, strong project management exposure across defence, nuclear, infrastructure or construction sectors, and proficiency with planning tools like Primavera or Microsoft Project are essential. Desirable experience includes work with UK Government or Tier‑1 organisations, NEC PMA accreditation, use of contract management software such as CEMAR, regulated construction/infrastructure expertise, bid management, chartered body membership and coaching junior project managers. Eligibility for this role is limited to sole UK nationals due to MoD security requirements, with clearance eligibility affected by nationality, residency and citizenship history. Turner & Townsend offers hybrid working to support work‑life balance, but site and office attendance must align with business and client demands, with an anticipated 60% on‑site presence that may flex according to project needs. • Spend approx. 60% of time on client sites or T&T offices, with travel as required. • Hold a degree or equivalent in a relevant field. • Possess an APM, PMI or PRINCE2 professional qualification. • Demonstrated experience administering NEC (or similar) contracts. • Strong project management background in defence, nuclear, infrastructure or construction. • Proficient with Primavera or Microsoft Project for planning. • Desirable: experience with UK Government/Defence clients and NEC PMA accreditation. • Desirable: use of contract management software such as CEMAR. • Desirable: experience in regulated construction/infrastructure sectors (e.g., RIBA stages). • Bid management experience and chartered body membership (MAPM, MCIWEM, etc.). • Ability to coach junior project managers. • Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (sole UK national).

Requirements

• ▸degree
• ▸prince2
• ▸nec
• ▸primavera
• ▸cemar
• ▸security clearance

Work Environment

Hybrid