Senior Project Manager

On behalf of our client, a leading organization in the aviation sector, we are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Senior Project Manager with 5-10 years of project management experience and proficiency in Microsoft Project. This role is critical to delivering a state-of-the-art aviation facility, ensuring readiness objectives are met on time and to standard. Operating outside IR35, you will bring hands-on expertise in managing complex aviation projects, driving momentum, and aligning diverse stakeholders in a high-stakes environment.

Role Overview

As Senior Project Manager, you will lead with energy and purpose to achieve facility readiness objectives, overseeing all phases from construction and fit-out to commissioning and operational handover. Your proven track record in pushing through complex aviation projects—within military or commercial sectors—combined with proficiency in Microsoft Project, will ensure robust program governance and seamless coordination. You will act as the central point of contact, inspiring collaboration, managing regulatory complexities, and delivering a fully compliant, operationally ready facility. While Part 145 experience is not essential, it is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Program Delivery: Accountable to the Program Director for achieving program objectives, ensuring timely and high-quality outcomes.
• Master Schedule Management: Develop and maintain a comprehensive facility readiness schedule using Microsoft Project, integrating construction, fit-out, equipment installation, commissioning, and occupancy plans.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Serve as the primary liaison between project sponsors, engineering teams, facility managers, regulatory bodies, vendors, and independent organizations, ensuring alignment and clear communication.
• Program Governance: Establish and enforce program controls, including processes, procedures, and reporting mechanisms, leveraging Microsoft Project for tracking and oversight.
• Progress Monitoring: Conduct regular progress reviews, facilitate decision-making forums, and provide detailed status reports, initiating corrective actions to stay on track.
• Risk and Issue Management: Proactively identify, monitor, and manage risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, interdependencies, and changes, escalating critical items when necessary.
• Operational Readiness: Ensure all operational elements (people, processes, systems, equipment) are aligned for a seamless facility go-live.
• Budget Oversight: Manage and track program expenditure, ensuring all activities are reconciled and aligned with budgetary constraints.
• Compliance Assurance: Ensure adherence to internal standards, safety regulations, aviation-specific requirements, and applicable laws.
• Milestone Delivery: Monitor and drive progress to ensure milestones are met across multiple projects and programs, maintaining momentum and accountability.

Skills and Experience

• Proven Aviation Expertise: 5-10 years of hands-on project management experience leading and delivering large-scale, complex aviation programs in dynamic and challenging environments, within military or commercial sectors.
• Microsoft Project Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Project for scheduling, tracking, and reporting on program progress.
• Part 145 Knowledge (Desirable): Familiarity with Part 145 regulations is highly advantageous but not mandatory.
• Program Management Expertise: Deep knowledge of project and program management methodologies, with a track record of applying them to achieve successful outcomes.
• Outcome-Driven Leadership: A relentless focus on driving tasks and projects to completion, overcoming obstacles with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional ability to inspire, motivate, and energize diverse stakeholders through clear communication, proactive involvement, and collaborative leadership.
• Multitasking Precision: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple deliverables with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Interpersonal Excellence: Ability to build effective relationships and work seamlessly with a wide range of individuals, including technical teams, regulators, and senior stakeholders.
• Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with aviation-specific regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements.
• Contractual Awareness: Understanding of IR35 regulations, with the ability to operate as an independent contractor outside IR35 scope.