Project / Programme Manager

Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection, is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

The Project/Programme Manager (PM) within Smiths Detection is a broad role with project/programme delivery responsibilities ranging from work packages, multiple low/medium categorised projects/programmes and major projects/programmes. As an experienced professional the PM is responsible for applying delivery excellence to their assigned projects/programmes through the application of various PM methodologies. The PM will be accountable for the successful delivery of projects/programmes that span Commercial and/or PID leading integrated project/programmes teams in a matrix organisation.

Duties:

Project Management:

• Accountable for the initiating, planning, monitoring & controlling, communicating and close-out phases for all assigned projects/programmes, which includes the completion of Product Lifecycle Process (PLP) Gates or Commercial Lifecycle Tollgates where applicable. Apply best practise and operate in accordance with relevant Smith Detection Programme Excellence Centre (PEC) processes.
• Lead the activities of integrated project/programme and/or cross-functional teams to achieve successful completion of projects/programmes to their committed delivery dates within budgeted costs and in accordance with relevant PEC processes.
• Execute projects/programmes in accordance with the standardised business rhythm that coordinates the activities of Global Programmes, Finance and Project Controls teams. Accountable for ensuring that project/programme records are maintained within defined software tools/databases.
• Ensure that assigned projects/programmes have a minimum number of artefacts (e.g. Work breakdown Structure, Cost Breakdown Structure, Responsibility Assignment Matrix, Responsible Accountable Consulted Informed (RACI) Matrix, time scheduling, resource planning, risk and change management controls, etc) commensurate to the project/programme categorisation.
• Accountable for the establishment of cost and schedule baselines and the maintenance of such baselines through forecast updates and the management of scope. Ensure that the PEC defined risk and change control process is applied in accordance with the business rhythm.
• With support from Project Controls conduct monthly variance analysis for explaining and interpreting impact against the baseline and the completion and tracking of corrective/preventative actions. Present this information at monthly project reviews or ad-hoc as required.
• Embrace and act as a champion for collaboration across Global Programmes and the wider global Smiths Detection business. Responsible for integrating assigned Commercial and/or Technology projects where necessary to maximise effective end-to-end delivery.
• Typical duties specific to Commercial include:
  • Lead or provide input to Customer tenders working in accordance with Commercial Lifecycle Process with emphasis on the preparation of an accurate compliance matrix and providing a clear account of associated risks.
  • Negotiate and reach agreement with customers or end users on aspects such as project/programme deliverables, specifications, detailed requirements, budget/contract value or schedule.
  • Responsible for completing project/programme Kick-off and Sales to Programmes Handover.
  • External stakeholder management during project/programme execution, acting as a key customer interface and delivering in accordance with customer expectations, but robustly managing scope as per defined contractual requirements. This includes progress reporting, change management, risk and issues management and contract closeout.
  • Finance management covering revenue recognition and reporting.
  • Accountable for successful handover to Service.
• Typical duties specific to PID include:
  • Initiate and control feasibility or science and technology studies in accordance with the relevant process.
  • Lead the planning and execution of product development, enhancement or sustaining projects defined by an approved business case prepared by Product Management.
  • Work closely with Product Management to deliver project outcomes in accordance with the business case or to manage adjustments in a controlled manner. Initiate product release activities and support the handover to Manufacturing resolving issues as required.
  • Support the resolution of field service issues or product complaints.
  • External stakeholder management emphasis will be collaborating with suppliers and the achievement of defined objectives.
• Portfolio specific duties:
  • [INSERT DETAILS]

People and Talent Management:

• Promote disciplined PM throughout Global Programmes.
• Effectively harness and apply the knowledge of people from all functions.
• Awareness of the different role profiles, team structures and competencies required to deliver the goals and objectives of the project/programme.
• Create inclusive and coordinated project/programme environments to achieve project/programme success.

Commercial:

• Assuring that best industry practise PM is employed and through customer reporting provide confidence that projects are being monitored and controlled in a professional manner.
• By delivering projects to scope the PM will satisfy our customer commitments, provide innovative products to the marketplace and maximise shareholder return.

Policies and Procedures:

• Ensure individual and project/programme compliance with company policies for Ethics, Health, Safety and Environment.
• Support business change initiatives, such as the development of the Commercial Lifecycle Process and integration with Product Lifecycle Process into a PEC process framework for application across the global business.
• Follow a proactive approach to develop an understanding of company policies and procedures and in the first instance use resources such as training material, procedure documents and process guidelines as a go-to source.

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Educational requirements:

• Internationally recognised professional qualification in project/programme management (equivalent to IPMA level C/D) desirable.
• Degree qualification (HND minimum) in relevant discipline (Business/Project/Programme Management or Technology/Engineering) desirable.

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of project/programme management methodologies (e.g. Waterfall, PRINCE2, Agile etc) gleaned from a mixture of experience, exposure and training.
• Good level of understanding of planning methodologies/techniques and other aspects of project controls such as earned value management.
• Awareness of complex integrated technology-based sensor systems and the critical roles that the technology and products play in the market.
• Awareness of the main priorities of typical cross-functions and how they operate and support the delivery of major technology development projects/programmes (such as R&D, Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, Service etc).  

Skills:

• Experience operating as a project/programme manager, with direct experience of engineering/technology or construction/infrastructure environments desirable. Can demonstrate experience of the complete project/programme lifecycle and degrees of project/programme complexity.
• Strong verbal and written communication and people management skills.
• Good problem-solving skills combined with developing experience leading integrated teams to benefit the delivery of projects/programmes.
• Experience of baseline planning and scheduling, forecasting and estimating, cost/schedule integration techniques.
• Exposure to resource management and integration with Integrated Business Planning.
• Experience in critical path analysis, reporting, risk management tracking and the completion of corrective action plans.
• Exposure to the use of estimating, scheduling, risk and change software tools such as: SAP, Primavera, Oracle ERP, MS Project, Pertmaster, Active Risk Manager, Cobra, Power BI.
• Application of continuous improvement both formal and informal approaches.
• Experience of product development covering product introduction, enhancement and sustaining and/or experience at managing a customer in a commercial environment.

Competence and Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate leadership and interpersonal skills with a natural passion to deliver against commitments.
• Ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation and developing ability to adapt the level of details that is required for a particular audience.
• Ability to manage a multicultural team in a matrix environment and influence people outside of direct reporting relationships.
• Good vision, attention to detail, highly organised and ability to work with little instruction on day-to-day work and general instructions on new assignments.
• Ability to influence and align activities with project/programme governance, particularly those related to project/programme management.
• Play a significant role in the production and control of baselined, fully logic linked, cost and resource loaded plans, with appropriate milestones utilising approved work breakdown structures and techniques.

Additional Information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)