Atkins’ Aerospace Defence Security & Technology division delivers a range of services into the Aerospace, Defence, Security & Intelligence and Civil Government markets, and also supports the wider Atkins group with complex assignments.
About the opportunity -Atkins is looking for Principal Consultants with a background in Project Management who specialise in Project Controls to fill a variety of leadership roles with the emphasis on the following areas;
-Risk and Opportunity Management
-Cost Engineering
-Project Planning
-The successful candidate will be required to be geographically mobile to work on projects based in the North West (including Cumbria) and across the South West and will have UK project controls experience.
Applicants should be accomplished leaders with demonstrable experience of delivering and managing projects in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and capable of building successful teams who are motivated, challenged, stretched and developed.
The key assets in our business are the right people and our continued success depends upon recruiting and retaining talented professionals from a multitude of backgrounds. We are as committed to diversity as we are to excellence.
It is essential you possess well developed written and verbal communication skills and can demonstrate strong stakeholder skills and/or have consultancy experience.
We have PMO positions available within Atkins ADS&T as part of the continued growth of our PMO Services.
Working from within our P3M Practice, you will primarily work as a client facing member of a project team. Much of your work will be with our Defence or Security and Intelligence clients.
You will be given significant responsibility for client-facing work from day one. All of our Consultants are expected to have regular interactions with clients and to support senior colleagues in delivering specific project outputs.
Consultants are also expected to make a contribution to Practice and business development. This may include being part of a bid team as well as developing new business propositions for existing clients or researching potential new markets
Experience in the Defence, Security & Intelligence sector would be an advantage but not essential.
Responsibilities:
-Delivery of clear, direct and accountable leadership to project control functions
-Responsible for manging the interface and relationship between Project Controls and Heads of Project Delivery incorporating the introduction and effective integration of Planning and Control methodology into the Programme organisation.
-Developing and expanding Atkins’ relationship with clients
-Recommending changes to current processes which aid efficiency; identifying and implementing new processes across project controls environment to support long term business objectives
-A champion of the changes required for future business success
-Lead practitioner for one or more propositions
-Coaching and mentoring support
-Continuously building relationships and networks across market sectors
-Sharing sector/account knowledge and best practice
Requirements:
Technical:
-Candidates should be fully qualified project professionals with a mature understanding (practitioner level or higher) of one or more project and programme management methodologies such as PRINCE2, MSP or APMP. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their experience as programme/project manager for large, complex assignments with evidence of one or more of the following Project Control disciplines, ideally having taken a role as a recognised subject matter expert;
Project Controls: Risk Management
-Ability to build and lead a team capable of delivering a cost effective risk management service to multiple stakeholders at all levels of the business
-Advise and guide programme management team on key risks facing the programme and through the application of risk analysis outputs make clear recommendations for mitigation action
-Ensure effective risk analysis guidance and training packages are in place to support the programme risk team in using and interpreting risk analysis outputs.
-Ensure the effectiveness of the risk analysis outputs are capable of withstanding scrutiny from the programme management team
Project Controls: Cost Engineering
-Provide unambiguous expert support and advice on cost engineering data analysis to Senior Management with responsibility for establishing cost control procedures, tools, techniques and their management to the l-Level of control demanded by the project
-To work with all areas of the business in the development of accurate estimates in support of bids, annual budgets, or cost to completion
-To support the introduction and assessment of earned value management techniques to complex projects
-To provide detailed diagnosis of project health and the recommendation of required action to ensure adherence to schedule and cost constraints
Accountable for the EAC (estimate at completion) process and supporting performance measurement techniques
Project Controls: Project Planning
-Overall responsibility of the production of project/programme schedules, analysis and reports against which project/programme performance can be measured
-Ownership of an effective and robust Baseline Change control process
-To support the introduction and assessment of earned value management techniques to complex projects
-Experience of planning in an enterprise environment to support overall project/programme objectives using a recognised planning tool or technique (preferably Primavera P6)
-Demonstrate a mature understanding of project structuring and definition to include WBS, OBS etc
Behavioural:
-Teamwork – Ability to work cooperatively with others and provide help where required
-Leadership – Ability to lead and motivate other team members
-Communication – High emotional intelligence - listens and questions effectively, concise verbal and written communication skills and effective questioning/listening skills. Able to communicate with confidence at higher and lower levels
-Flexibility – Ability to adapt approach to individual situations and remain calm under pressure
-Willing to work flexible working week if required. Understand the needs and constraints of projects, and have the ability to flex around these constraints
-Customer Focus – Delivers a high level of customer service to our external and internal customers
-Achievement – Looks to exceed client aspirations and works to goals and manages obstacles. Energy, pride and determination in meeting targets and overcoming challenges
-Initiative – Ability to analyse data and situations, break down work into key tasks and activities
-Development – Wants to continually develop new skills and undertake personal training and CPD
-Ethics and integrity – uphold Atkins high professional standards at all times
-Advocacy – be an ambassador for our wider business at all times
-Collegiate – Manage client demands whilst contributing to the development of the P3M Practice
Security Clearance
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview
Rewards & Benefits
Please refer to our Rewards and Benefits page for details on our full benefits package, which includes 25 days annual leave with the option to buy up an additional 15 more days. Flexible working options will be considered for this vacancy.
