Head of Projects

Department: AML - SMT

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Norwich, Norfolk, Norwich, United Kingdom

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall accountability for the successful delivery of the project portfolio
• Personally lead key projects where appropriate
• Monitor project progress, budgets, forecasts, risks, resources and customer satisfaction, providing clear management reporting.
• Ensure projects are effectively planned, controlled and delivered to agreed scope, timescales, cost and quality.

• Lead, manage and develop a team of Project Engineers, setting clear priorities and expectations.
• Allocate resources effectively, monitor performance and coach team members to build capability and accountability.
• Balance hands-on project delivery with effective delegation and oversight of the wider portfolio.

• Build strong working relationships across the business and maintain excellent customer relationships.
• Work closely with Business Development, Operations, Finance and Technical to align priorities, resources, commercial expectations and delivery plans.
• Influence stakeholders, resolve competing priorities and proactively manage project issues.
• Manage the project delivery relationship with our customers regarding scope control, delivery schedule, customer dependencies, and customer satisfaction.

• Review and improve project management processes, systems and reporting to increase efficiency, consistency and visibility.
• Identify opportunities to simplify ways of working, strengthen governance and improve cross-functional collaboration.
• Ensure processes and systems evolve to support business growth, increasing project complexity and future requirements.

• Contribute actively to the SMT, taking a company-wide perspective on priorities, performance and resource planning.
• Provide clear insight into project performance, risks, capacity and opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with other SMT members to improve business performance and support sustainable growth.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Significant project or portfolio management experience in a technical or engineering environment.
• Experience delivering multiple projects with responsibility for budgets, forecasts, risks and deadlines.
• Experience leading, developing and managing a team.
• Experience managing customer relationships and working across business functions.
• Experience improving project processes, systems or reporting.
• Experience of using and implementing project management methodologies and tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and project management tools.

• Recognised project management qualification, such as APM, PMP or PRINCE2.
• Automotive, simulator or driving simulation industry experience.
• Experience using Wrike and/or IFS.

• Leadership and accountability: Provides clear direction, leads by example, takes ownership of outcomes and empowers others to perform at their best. Balances delivery with developing the team and building long-term capability.
• Strategic thinking and business leadership: Takes a company-wide perspective, understands the wider commercial impact of decisions and contributes constructively to SMT discussions and business priorities.
• Influence and collaboration: Builds credibility and trust across the business, constructively challenges and influences others, and works collaboratively to achieve shared objectives, even where priorities differ.
• Communication and relationships: Communicates clearly, confidently and transparently with customers, colleagues and senior stakeholders, building strong relationships and addressing issues proactively.
• Customer focus: Understands customer needs, manages expectations effectively and takes personal responsibility for maintaining strong customer relationships and positive outcomes.
• Judgement and decision-making: Makes considered, timely decisions, balances competing priorities and takes a proactive approach to managing risks and resolving challenges.
• Continuous improvement and adaptability: Challenges existing ways of working, embraces change and drives practical improvements to processes, systems and team effectiveness to support business growth.
• Integrity and professionalism: Acts with honesty, fairness and consistency, follows through on commitments and demonstrates self-awareness, sound judgement and openness to feedback.