Job Description

Our client, an Aerospace and Defence supplier is looking for a Project Manager to join them on a contract basis at their site in Reading.

Due to the nature of the role, applicants must be sole British nationals and hold SC Clearance.

Contract initially until November 2026

3 days per week onsite in Reading

£87.16 p/h Umbrella, inside IR35Role Description

The Project Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of a new Digital HR solution, leading activity from RFP and supplier selection through implementation, go-live, and transition into operations.

The role requires a hands-on, adaptable Project Manager who is comfortable working in a small team environment and able to operate at all levels-from drafting procurement documentation to managing senior stakeholders.

While the primary focus is the HR solution, the role may also support other project management activities outside HR as required.

Key Accountabilities

End-to-End Project Delivery

Lead delivery of the Digital HR solution across the full lifecycle:

RFP and supplier selection

Mobilisation and implementation

Go-live, hypercare, and transition to BAU operations

Establish and maintain effective project governance, plans, controls, and reporting

Manage scope, schedule, budget, risks, issues, and dependencies

RFP & Supplier Selection

Own the schedule for and support the RFP process, including:

Drafting and coordinating RFP documentation as required

Managing inputs from HR, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Technical teams

Supplier evaluation, moderation, and selection

Work closely with Finance, Commercial, Procurement, and Architecture teams to ensure:

Compliance with sourcing and contractual requirements

A compliant, value-for-money supplier appointment

Support contract award and mobilisation of the chosen delivery partner

Delivery Partner Management

Act as the primary day-to-day client lead for the selected delivery partner

Set and manage delivery partner performance expectations against agreed plans, milestones, and contractual obligations

Drive issue resolution, escalation, and recovery where required

Work proactively with the delivery partner to minimise dependencies and mitigate delivery risks

Ensure delivery outputs meet agreed timelines, quality, architectural, and security standards

Ensure the solution aligns with customer expectations and requirements

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

Lead engagement with key corporate functions, including Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Programme Assurance

Ensure the project aligns with governance, delivery, architecture, and security processes

Maintain a strong, open, and constructive relationship with the Head of HR to enable timely resolution of delivery-related issues

Manage senior stakeholders through:

Clear communication

Transparency

Effective decision-making forums

Lead the PI Planning aspects associated with this solution

Collaboration with Architecture & Product

Work closely with the Solution Architect to ensure delivery aligns with approved architecture and technical standards

Partner with the Product Owner to align delivery priorities with HR business needs and outcomes

Ensure business requirements are translated into deliverable, governed work packages

Transition to Operations

Lead planning and execution of:

Cutover and go-live

Hypercare and stabilisation

Operational handover and service acceptance

Ensure operational readiness, documentation, and ownership are in place before transition to BAU

Flexibility & Wider Contribution

Operate flexibly within a small team, contributing beyond a traditional PM remit where required

Be prepared to support non-HR project activities as priorities dictate

Balance hands-on delivery tasks with senior stakeholder management

Skills and Experience

Essential

Proven experience as a Project Manager delivering COTS and/or Digital SaaS HR solutions

Demonstrated delivery of at least two HR implementations from RFP through to live operation

Experience leading RFPs, supplier selection, and contract mobilisation

Strong experience managing external delivery partners and systems integrators

Excellent stakeholder management skills, including engagement at executive level

Strong understanding of project governance, financial controls, and assurance processes

Experience working in Agile, Hybrid, or structured delivery environments

Comfortable working across discovery, delivery, and operational phases

Experience with Azure DevOps

Familiar with working within security and assurance frameworksDesirable

Experience working in small or lean delivery teams

Experience delivering technology solutions in complex or regulated environments

Familiarity with SaaS-based enterprise solutions