Project Manager - Defence

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Job description

At Roke

Roke is a world-class engineering and technology company, with a trusted and long-standing record of delivery spanning research & development, products, managed-services and consultancy, serving customers across the globe. The markets Roke operates in are broad but they are frequently cross-cutting at engineering and delivery levels; markets include defence, national security and future industries, with diversity being at the centre of Roke's strategy.

Preserving high-levels of confidence by consistently meeting or exceeding customer expectation in relation to contract delivery and value creation is paramount, equalled by the need to meet the needs of the business regarding safe and sustainable generation of revenue and profit.

At the heart of the supporting operating model are assured and repeatable methods of delivery, underpinned by key roles and responsibilities.

The Opportunity

This dual-role position as Project Manager and Deployment Lead is crucial within the Defence Business Unit. Reporting to a Sub-Portfolio Manager, you will manage multiple projects, combining comprehensive project oversight with a focus on deployment planning and execution. This includes embedding within customer sites to ensure early involvement and a thorough understanding of deployment timelines, requirements, and integration points.

Primary Job Purpose

As a Deployment Lead, your role is essential for ensuring effective project delivery and deployment execution by:

• Developing and leading a comprehensive deployment plan that aligns with both project goals and customer expectations.
• Facilitating early engagement with customer teams to embed seamlessly into their deployment planning.
• Managing interdependencies between deployment activities and project teams, ensuring resources, schedules, budgets, and training are accounted for and optimized.
• Acting as a point of continuity in deployment execution and planning, with regular site presence to stay engaged with evolving project demands and customer feedback.

Key Responsibilities
Project Management and Deployment Planning

• Serve as an embedded deployment lead within customer sites to gather real-time insights, integrate with customer teams, and actively participate in planning.
• Lead and execute the deployment plan, incorporating detailed work planning, scheduling, budgeting, metrics, and resource allocation.
• Plan deployment timelines and activities with input from cross-functional teams, ensuring seamless coordination across teams and projects.
• Establish a framework for tracking deployment metrics and performance indicators, adjusting plans as necessary to keep projects on target.

Deployment Execution and Monitoring

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day execution of deployment activities, tracking progress and ensuring adherence to schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
• Coordinate deployment activities across all project teams, managing interdependencies, risks, and issues with a proactive approach.
• Identify potential conflicts or challenges in deployment and adjust resources or strategies as necessary to maintain alignment with project objectives.
• Facilitate team communication throughout deployment stages, providing consistent updates and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

Team Coordination and Leadership

• Coordinate closely with project and deployment teams, ensuring roles, responsibilities, and timelines are clear and aligned with project goals.
• Act as Deputy for the Head of the unit, providing leadership in their absence and ensuring continuity in project and deployment oversight.
• Foster an environment of continuous improvement, capturing lessons learned and implementing them in future deployments to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead internal communications (IM) to keep all relevant parties informed of deployment progress, issues, and adjustments.
• Capture, document, and implement lessons learned from deployments to improve deployment strategy and best practices.

Additional Responsibilities and Subject Matter Expertise (SME) Support

• Serve as a military SME, offering operational guidance and support based on recent and relevant Military G3 Operations & Deployment experience.
• Provide advice, training, and support as needed to project and deployment teams, helping to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance deployment execution.

Accountabilities

• Act as Deputy for the Head of the unit as required.
• Lead team coordination, project management, and ensure successful deployment execution.
• Oversee internal communications and updates to ensure alignment across the organization.
• Serve as a Military SME, supporting operational and deployment strategy.
• Capture and implement lessons learned for continuous improvement in deployment activities.
• Provide support and guidance on deployment or operational planning as needed.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Relevant Project Management qualifications (e.g., APM, PMI, Prince2).
• SAFe/Agile certifications.
• Background in military operations (G3 Operations & Deployment experience) is essential.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• APM PMQ or equivalent Project Management qualification, or in progress.
• Direct experience in deployment planning and execution within a Defence or military environment.
• Understanding of military G3 Operations & Deployment with the ability to apply this knowledge in project and deployment contexts.
• Familiarity with project management and deployment tools (e.g., JIRA).
• Strong communication and leadership skills, capable of managing both internal teams and external stakeholder relationships.
• Track record of embedding in customer sites and building strong, collaborative relationships to drive deployment success.

Why You Should Join Us

We have a competitive salary and access to a number of additional flexible benefits, which will cover Health and Wellbeing, Savings and Protection & Life, Leisure and Entertainment.

Roke has a great community of groups with shared interests. These enable people to share ideas and be passionate about tools, technologies & techniques, which interest them.

We are committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion. Our working environment is friendly, creative and inclusive. We will consider flexible working arrangements and support a diverse work-force and those with additional needs.

Security Information

Due to the nature of this position, we require you to be willing and eligible to achieve a minimum of SC clearance.

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