Senior IT Project Manager
// Role Summary
Lead and manage significant enterprise IT projects and programmes, driving business change and ensuring successful delivery of complex infrastructure initiatives. This role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and a proactive approach to risk and issue resolution.
// Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage integrated projects or large complex projects with significant business impact.
- Provide leadership to delivery teams and coordinate multiple suppliers.
- Identify business drivers, shape project objectives, and support business case development.
- Ensure clear and timely communication with all stakeholders, including project boards.
- Adhere to Life Cycle Management (LCM) governance and assurance criteria throughout project execution.
- Proven experience in leading enterprise-level IT projects and programmes with successful business change delivery.
// Role Specification
Join BAE Systems and be part of a global team pioneering progress and protecting what matters most. You'll be trusted to deliver advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace, and security solutions, shaping a safer future.
About the Role:
This Senior Project Manager role is responsible for leading and managing a small programme of integrated projects or directly managing large, complex projects that carry significant business impact. You will provide leadership to delivery teams and third-party suppliers, proactively address issues, and coordinate multiple suppliers to define and manage project plans that achieve agreed outcomes.
A key focus of this position is identifying business drivers, shaping project objectives, and where needed, supporting the development of business cases in collaboration 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 and Experience:
- 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.
- Formal Project Management training, preferably PRINCE2 Practitioner or APM (PMDY) or equivalent work experience.
- Desirable: Proven experience of both waterfall and agile projects.
The Digital Foundation Team:
This role sits within the Digital Foundation Team, part of 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. Specifically, this role is within the Network Portfolio and is responsible for delivering enterprise network infrastructure projects across UK and international sites, supporting business change, transition, and transformation initiatives.
Why BAE Systems?
Build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. Enjoy lifelong learning, meaningful work, and the confidence to grow your career. You'll be recognised for your contributions and receive tailored rewards, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, and a balanced lifestyle. Our inclusive and supportive culture fosters a sense of belonging and pride in the difference you make.
Location & Working Arrangements:
Preston or Frimley. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements; please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.
Security and Export Control:
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions. Factors such as your nationality, previous nationalities, and place of birth can affect eligibility. All applicants must achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Many roles require higher levels of National Security Vetting, typically requiring 5-10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level.