Project Manager – Infrastructure
Aircraft Research Association (ARA) is a unique SME and the UK’s leading independent transonic wind tunnel with a passionate workforce of engineering and aerodynamic professionals. We are a leading specialist in aerodynamic research providing complementary services and solutions to international aerospace and defence clients. Our clients include Saab, Bombardier, Boeing, Turkish Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Comac and BAE Systems.
Typical projects include producing scaled-down military and civilian aircraft models, comprising multiple parts, which are assembled together and used as highly accurate forces/pressures measuring devices within the on-site high-speed (transonic) wind tunnel.
ARA owns and operates the UK’s leading independent transonic wind tunnel. Within ARA, the Engineering and Infrastructure team is a multi-disciplined team of engineers and technicians, that is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the equipment and plant required to operate ARA’s facilities.
We are looking to recruit an experienced Project Manager to join this team and lead the successful delivery of business improvement and infrastructure development projects in close cooperation with project technical managers.
ARA boasts a wide international customer base of aircraft manufacturers, working at the cutting edge of aerodynamic research, who require new and novel solutions to achieve highly accurate results from wind tunnel trials conducted at ARA. The Infrastructure Project Manager will play an integral part in the development of our world leading capabilities to meet the challenges posed by these customers.
Reporting to the Head of Engineering, the successful candidate must have a track record of delivering multiple technical projects simultaneously, and within demanding constraints in a project-based technical environment.
Salary range: £40,000 – £55,000 (depending on experience)
Grade: 3
Typical hours: Full time, 38 hours per week
What you will get the chance to do:
- Take full ownership of project management assignments from requirements capture and business case to closure.
- Lead multi-disciplinary project teams to successful project outcomes, ensuring business objectives and deadlines are met and within budget.
- Act as first point of contact with the internal customer and be accountable for ensuring all project related deliverables meet required standards on time and within budget.
- Lead and support the preparation of project justifications and business cases, with input of the technical managers including: estimating; risk management; planning and presentation of business proposals to project sponsor and company management.
- Lead project change management process to effectively manage changes to requirements, timescales and associated costs whilst avoiding scope creep.
- Manage resources assigned to the project effectively to ensure successful delivery.
- Support effective cash flow management with the input of the procurement and finance teams, ensuring subcontract payment terms are favourable to ARA where possible.
- Prepare and present regular project status reports to stakeholders and senior management – highlighting issues offering effective solutions to overcome them.
- Work in a safe and professional manner and in full compliance with UK law, ARA Health, Safety and Environmental procedures, Quality standards and procedures, Security policies and procedures and (where applicable) those of ARA’s business partners.
- Support negotiations with suppliers (working with ARA’s procurement team and technical experts).
What we would like to see:
- University honours degree or equivalent and experience in a STEM/technically related discipline.
- Project management qualification or ability to demonstrate experience of project management methodologies and tools.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proven experience of project leadership, including clear communications with all stakeholders.
- Understanding of the regulatory framework applying to the delivery of infrastructure projects would be an advantage.
- Ability to capture and manage project requirements, prepare a work breakdown structure, project plan, and resource estimate.
- Proven experience preparing project justification and supporting documentation including pricing estimate(s) and risk and opportunity register(s).
- Confident, self-motivated, as well as imaginative and creative with good problem solving skills.
- Used to working under pressure and competent in making critical decisions promptly.
- Readily adaptable to rapidly changing circumstances.
- Well-organised with a collaborative approach to problem solving and ability to influence.
- Flexible – occasional travel and out of hours working may be required
This is an exciting permanent opportunity for the right person to be part of a successful and highly skilled engineering company, working 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday. In return, we offer a range of benefits including: a competitive salary and pension scheme; flexible working options (normal hours are 0800hrs to 1621hrs); free parking; employee assistance programme; private health insurance and 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing with length of service after 5 years’ service)
The successful candidate must satisfy security clearance requirements – including the last 5 years continual UK residency.
Aircraft Research Association Ltd is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We recognise the value in an inclusive and diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people.
If you think you are the person we are looking for, please complete the form below.
