Location: Foleshill Road, Coventry, UK
Core Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon–Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri).
Vacancy Type: Full-time, Permanent and On-site.
Salary: £Competitive per annum+ discretionary bonus
About the role
Lead the delivery of complex defence programmes that help protect lives.
We're looking for an experienced Senior PMO Manager who has progressed from hands-on Project Management into a senior PMO leadership role. This is an opportunity to lead a team of Project Managers while strengthening project delivery, governance and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) across some of the UK's most complex defence and engineering programmes.
Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and senior business leaders, you'll ensure projects are delivered consistently through every stage of the product lifecycle, from bid and concept through to manufacture, delivery and customer acceptance. This is a highly visible, site-based leadership role where you'll influence how projects are managed across the business and play a key role in improving delivery performance.
If you've built your career leading engineering or manufacturing projects and are passionate about developing people, improving project delivery and embedding best practice, we'd love to hear from you.
What you’ll get in return
At NP Aerospace, we know our success comes from our people. That’s why we invest in benefits that support your health, reward your hard work, and help you grow your career:
- Performance rewards – discretionary bonus opportunities
- Flex your day – flexible start and finish times (subject to manager approval and operational needs)
- Time to recharge – 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more through our Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Support for Defence – two weeks’ paid leave for Reservists and Cadets, plus paid leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
- Future security – competitive pension scheme (9% combined employer/employee contributions
- Peace of mind – life cover at 3x base salary
- Health & wellbeing first – BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan to support everyday health costs
- Grow with us – career development and advancement opportunities within a global business
- Supportive environment – a team culture built on innovation, collaboration, and purpose
What you’ll be doing
You'll lead and develop a team of Project Managers responsible for delivering complex engineering and defence programmes. Through coaching, mentoring and providing clear direction, you'll help build a high-performing project management function that consistently delivers against customer expectations, business objectives and programme milestones.
Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance, you'll oversee projects throughout the full Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) process. You'll ensure projects move successfully through each lifecycle gateway, maintaining robust governance while balancing cost, quality, schedule and risk. Your understanding of project delivery will enable you to identify issues early, remove obstacles and keep programmes moving forward.
You'll strengthen and mature the Project Management Office by introducing consistent governance, reporting and delivery standards across the business. Rather than simply reporting on projects, you'll work alongside Project Managers to improve planning, resource management, forecasting and project controls, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
You'll also provide portfolio-level reporting and performance insight to senior leadership, supporting strategic decision-making while ensuring project risks, opportunities and resource requirements are clearly understood. As a trusted leader across the business, you'll help shape future project delivery capability as NP Aerospace continues to grow.
Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.
What we’re looking for
We're looking for an experienced project delivery leader who has naturally progressed from Project Management into PMO leadership. You'll be comfortable leading Project Managers, improving project delivery processes and driving consistent governance across complex engineering programmes.
Essential
- Significant experience delivering complex engineering, manufacturing or defence projects, with progression into a senior PMO or programme leadership role.
- Proven experience leading, developing and coaching a team of Project Managers.
- Strong understanding of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and stage-gate project delivery.
- Experience managing programme portfolios, project planning, resource management, governance and risk.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders, customers and cross-functional teams.
- Experience using project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Jira or equivalent.
- Experience working with ERP systems and reporting tools such as Power BI or similar.
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Project Management or a related discipline.
- Professional qualification such as APM, PRINCE2, MSP, PMI or equivalent.
- Experience using AI tools or a willingness to learn and apply them within the role.
Desirable
- Experience delivering programmes for the UK Ministry of Defence or within highly regulated industries.
- Experience implementing or improving PMO functions and project governance frameworks.
- Knowledge of military vehicle programmes, complex engineering projects or advanced manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting international programme delivery.
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NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry.
Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture.
Our extensive range of combat-proven body armour, from ballistic helmets, plates, and shields to bomb disposal suits, highlights some of the most advanced composite materials. With a team of R&D engineers working on next-generation solutions, we also excel in highly engineered vehicle systems and armour platforms used by some of the world’s largest defence organisations.
Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace has served the defence industry for over 40 years, evolving into an agile and diverse company. Our Business Development team is expanding both in the UK and North America.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.
Data Privacy: NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.
