Senior Project Controls Manager

Review: Senior Project Control Manager at Babcock – A Strategic Opportunity in National Security

This Senior Project Control Manager role at Babcock presents a compelling opportunity for seasoned project control professionals looking to make a significant impact within a critical sector. Based in Ashton Vale, Bristol, with flexible hybrid working arrangements, this full-time, permanent position offers a chance to contribute to the nation's most complex engineering projects, specifically supporting the British naval Fleet.

The Opportunity Defined

This role is far from ordinary, placing you at the heart of high-stakes, large-scale engineering. As a Senior Project Control Manager, you will not only lead a team of dedicated professionals but also play a pivotal role in the strategic oversight and successful delivery of national security initiatives. Key aspects of this opportunity include:

• High-Impact Projects: Work on projects of national importance, directly contributing to the safety and security of the UK. This offers unparalleled exposure to complex engineering and a deep sense of purpose.
• Leadership & Team Management: You will lead a team of project controls experts, fostering their development and ensuring the effective application of best practices across projects.
• Strategic Influence: Collaborating closely with Project and Programme Managers, you will provide critical insights through robust reporting and analysis, enabling informed decision-making at senior levels. Your input will also support the ongoing development of the broader Projects Controls capability within Babcock.
• Comprehensive Project Controls: The role demands expertise across the full spectrum of project controls, from establishing and owning performance measurement baselines and robust Earned Value Management (EVM) systems to comprehensive risk management and integration of diverse toolsets.
• Extensive Stakeholder Engagement: Success in this role hinges on your ability to build strong relationships with a wide array of stakeholders, including internal teams, suppliers, and customers, ensuring alignment and effective communication across complex project landscapes.

Career Advantages

For the right candidate, this position offers substantial professional and personal advantages:

• Accelerated Professional Growth: Exposure to projects of this magnitude, coupled with leadership responsibilities, will significantly advance your career in project controls and strategic management.
• Skill Enhancement: You'll refine advanced skills in EVM, risk analysis, project governance, and stakeholder management within a challenging and dynamic environment. The payment of professional fees is a clear indicator of Babcock's commitment to continuous learning.
• Flexible Working: The hybrid model (2 days onsite, 3 days working from home) offers a valuable work-life balance, while acknowledging the need for flexibility to be onsite more frequently if project demands require it.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Babcock offers a highly competitive benefits package including a generous holiday allowance, matched contribution pension scheme, life assurance, health and well-being support (Aviva DigiCare+), an employee share scheme, and various savings portals. Unique benefits like 'Be Kind Day' for volunteering and holiday trading options further enhance the offering.
• Purpose-Driven Culture: Joining Babcock means becoming part of an organization dedicated to defending nations, protecting communities, and building a better world, providing a strong sense of mission to your work.

Key Considerations for Candidates

While the opportunity is exceptional, prospective candidates should carefully consider the following:

• Specific Experience and Qualifications: Candidates must demonstrate significant experience in project controls on complex or major projects/programmes, coupled with a deep understanding of core project controls approaches (planning, cost, risk, performance, change management). Essential qualifications include an APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or equivalent, and Project Planning & Control Practitioner certification. Proficiency with common toolsets like MSP/P6, RiskHive, and ERP/SAP systems is also vital.
• Security Clearance Requirements: A critical aspect of this role is the necessity to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance. While you can start on Standard (BPSS), the SC clearance process is rigorous and can be impacted by factors such as place of birth, nationality, or past residency. Candidates are strongly advised to review the specific UK government guidance on security vetting to confirm their eligibility early in the application process.
• Leadership and Interpersonal Skills: Beyond technical expertise, the role demands strong leadership, team management capabilities, and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills to navigate complex relationships across multi-disciplinary teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Commitment to On-Site Work: While hybrid, candidates should be prepared for potential periods requiring extended on-site presence if project demands necessitate.

Who Should Apply?

This role is ideal for an experienced Project Control Manager who thrives in challenging, high-impact environments, possesses a strong blend of technical expertise and leadership acumen, and is ready to contribute to projects of national significance. If you meet the essential experience and qualification criteria, are eligible for the required security clearance, and are looking for a role where your strategic input directly shapes critical engineering outcomes, this opportunity at Babcock could be your next significant career step.