Project Manager
Posted Today by Matchtech
£87 Per hour
Inside
Onsite
Reading, Berkshire
Summary: The Project Manager role involves overseeing the end-to-end delivery of a new Digital HR solution for an Aerospace and Defence supplier in Reading. The position requires a hands-on approach, managing everything from RFP and supplier selection to implementation and transition into operations. Applicants must be sole British nationals with SC Clearance and will work three days a week on-site. The contract is initially set until November 2026 and is classified as inside IR35.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead delivery of the Digital HR solution across the full lifecycle, including RFP and supplier selection, mobilization, implementation, go-live, and transition to BAU operations.
- Establish and maintain effective project governance, plans, controls, and reporting.
- Manage scope, schedule, budget, risks, issues, and dependencies.
- Own the schedule for and support the RFP process, including drafting and coordinating RFP documentation.
- Manage inputs from HR, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Technical teams for supplier evaluation and selection.
- Act as the primary day-to-day client lead for the selected delivery partner and manage performance expectations.
- Lead engagement with key corporate functions and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the Solution Architect and Product Owner to ensure alignment with business needs and technical standards.
- Plan and execute cutover, go-live, hypercare, and operational handover activities.
- Contribute flexibly within a small team and support non-HR project activities as needed.
Key Skills:
- Proven experience as a Project Manager delivering COTS and/or Digital SaaS HR solutions.
- Experience leading at least two HR implementations from RFP through to live operation.
- Strong experience managing external delivery partners and systems integrators.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including engagement at executive level.
- Strong understanding of project governance, financial controls, and assurance processes.
- Experience working in Agile, Hybrid, or structured delivery environments.
- Familiarity with Azure DevOps and security and assurance frameworks.
- Experience working in small or lean delivery teams and delivering technology solutions in complex or regulated environments is desirable.
Salary (Rate): £87.16/hour
City: Reading
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: on-site
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: Mid-Level
Industry: IT
Our client, an Aerospace and Defence supplier is looking for a Project Manager to join them on a contract basis at their site in Reading.Due to the nature of the role, applicants must be sole British nationals and hold SC Clearance.Contract initially until November 20263 days per week onsite in Reading£87.16 p/h Umbrella, inside IR35Role DescriptionThe Project Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of a new Digital HR solution, leading activity from RFP and supplier selection through implementation, go-live, and transition into operations.The role requires a hands-on, adaptable Project Manager who is comfortable working in a small team environment and able to operate at all levels-from drafting procurement documentation to managing senior stakeholders.While the primary focus is the HR solution, the role may also support other project management activities outside HR as required.
Key Accountabilities End-to-End Project DeliveryLead delivery of the Digital HR solution across the full lifecycle:RFP and supplier selectionMobilisation and implementationGo-live, hypercare, and transition to BAU operationsEstablish and maintain effective project governance, plans, controls, and reportingManage scope, schedule, budget, risks, issues, and dependencies RFP & Supplier SelectionOwn the schedule for and support the RFP process, including:Drafting and coordinating RFP documentation as requiredManaging inputs from HR, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Technical teamsSupplier evaluation, moderation, and selectionWork closely with Finance, Commercial, Procurement, and Architecture teams to ensure:Compliance with sourcing and contractual requirementsA compliant, value-for-money supplier appointmentSupport contract award and mobilisation of the chosen delivery partner Delivery Partner ManagementAct as the primary day-to-day client lead for the selected delivery partnerSet and manage delivery partner performance expectations against agreed plans, milestones, and contractual obligationsDrive issue resolution, escalation, and recovery where requiredWork proactively with the delivery partner to minimise dependencies and mitigate delivery risksEnsure delivery outputs meet agreed timelines, quality, architectural, and security standardsEnsure the solution aligns with customer expectations and requirements Stakeholder Engagement & GovernanceLead engagement with key corporate functions, including Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Programme AssuranceEnsure the project aligns with governance, delivery, architecture, and security processesMaintain a strong, open, and constructive relationship with the Head of HR to enable timely resolution of delivery-related issuesManage senior stakeholders through:Clear communicationTransparencyEffective decision-making forumsLead the PI Planning aspects associated with this solution Collaboration with Architecture & ProductWork closely with the Solution Architect to ensure delivery aligns with approved architecture and technical standardsPartner with the Product Owner to align delivery priorities with HR business needs and outcomesEnsure business requirements are translated into deliverable, governed work packages Transition to OperationsLead planning and execution of:Cutover and go-liveHypercare and stabilisationOperational handover and service acceptanceEnsure operational readiness, documentation, and ownership are in place before transition to BAU Flexibility & Wider ContributionOperate flexibly within a small team, contributing beyond a traditional PM remit where requiredBe prepared to support non-HR project activities as priorities dictateBalance hands-on delivery tasks with senior stakeholder management Skills and ExperienceEssential Proven experience as a Project Manager delivering COTS and/or Digital SaaS HR solutionsDemonstrated delivery of at least two HR implementations from RFP through to live operationExperience leading RFPs, supplier selection, and contract mobilisationStrong experience managing external delivery partners and systems integratorsExcellent stakeholder management skills, including engagement at executive levelStrong understanding of project governance, financial controls, and assurance processesExperience working in Agile, Hybrid, or structured delivery environmentsComfortable working across discovery, delivery, and operational phasesExperience with Azure DevOpsFamiliar with working within security and assurance frameworksDesirableExperience working in small or lean delivery teamsExperience delivering technology solutions in complex or regulated environmentsFamiliarity with SaaS-based enterprise solutions