Senior Project Manager - INSIDE IR35 CONTRACTOR

Application Deadline: 10 April 2026

Department: Programmes and Business Improvement

Employment Type: Contract / Temp

Location: Brize Norton

Compensation: GBP 650 / day

Description

This is an inside IR35 contractor position for a 4 month period.

Please note the successful incumbent must already hold Security Clearance with UKSV.We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead and deliver complex, high-value programmes that support operational excellence, business growth and customer priorities. This is a high-impact role combining strong project leadership with commercial awareness, stakeholder management and a passion for continuous improvement.
Why AirTanker?

AirTanker is a key part of the UK's defence capability, delivering essential air-to-air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MOD. Operating where military precision meets commercial excellence, we uphold the highest safety and compliance standards. As a Senior Project Manager, you'll directly shape the delivery of major programmes across the business - leading complex initiatives, engaging senior stakeholders and ensuring projects transition smoothly into business-as-usual. Your work will drive operational excellence, realise tangible business benefits and ensure the organisation is equipped to deliver successfully today and into the future.

What's in it for you?

• Strategic Impact: Lead high-profile programmes that directly support business growth, operational excellence and customer outcomes.
• Commercial Acumen: Develop strong commercial awareness through close collaboration with commercial and supply-chain teams on change and risk management.
• Stakeholder Influence: Build strong relationships with senior leaders, customers and external partners, shaping decisions at programme and strategic level.
• Continuous Improvement Exposure: Drive improvements in project governance, tools and ways of working, contributing to a mature and effective PMO function.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of major projects and programmes, ensuring outcomes are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards.
• Engage and collaborate with sponsors, customers, senior leaders and stakeholders to define requirements, timelines, costs and delivery approaches.
• Develop and maintain robust project plans, adapting to changing priorities and business needs.
• Assign and manage project tasks effectively, aligning work to team members' skills, experience and strengths.
• Monitor performance and risks, producing clear and accurate project status reports for customers and senior stakeholders.
• Ensure benefits, outcomes and success measures are clearly defined, tracked and realised.
• Identify, manage and mitigate project risks, issues and dependencies using appropriate controls.
• Work closely with commercial and supply chain teams to manage contract changes and associated risks.
• Support continuous improvement of project management tools, templates, processes and capability alongside the PMO.
• Capture lessons learned, oversee project close-out and ensure effective handover into BAU.
• Line manage and support less experienced team members, contributing to capability and leadership development across the function.

What you'll bring

• Relevant degree, HNC or equivalent professional experience
• Proven experience delivering large, complex, cross-functional projects or programmes
• Experience leading and developing teams
• Strong understanding of project, programme and risk management frameworks
• Confident user of MS Project, Excel, Visio and other core PM tools
• APM PFQ and PMQ (or equivalent)