Senior Project Manager

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Company Description

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports & borders, defense, and urban security. Our expertise is spread across 5 R&D centers, 21 Global Offices and 7 Manufacturing Sites with 3000 Brilliant minds globally contributing for over 40 years at the frontline which enables us to deliver the solutions needed to protect our society from any threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, and narcotics. Every minute of every day, our technology and talented team members help to make the world a safer place - https://youtu.be/JmcKLJTrHLc

Job Description

As a senior professional the Senior Project Manager (SPM) is responsible for driving project delivery excellence throughout their assigned portfolio by applying a broad range of recognised project management methodologies. This includes team leadership covering both project delivery and support. The SPM will be accountable for the successful delivery of major complex projects that span Commercial and/or Technology managing integrated project teams in a matrix organisation. The SPM within Smiths Detection is a versatile role and day-to-day duties will vary in accordance with the needs of a portfolio, however, the overall job purpose remains the same.

Duties:

Project Management:

• Accountable for the initiating, planning, monitoring & controlling, communicating and close-out phases for all assigned projects, which includes the completion of Product Lifecycle Process Gates where applicable. Apply best practice and operate in accordance with relevant Smith Detection Programme Excellence Centre (PEC) processes.
• Lead the activities of integrated project and/or cross-functional teams to achieve successful completion of projects to their committed delivery dates within budgeted costs and in accordance with relevant PEC processes.
• Execute projects in accordance with the standardised business rhythm that coordinates the activities of project management, finance and project controls teams. Accountable for ensuring that project records are maintained within defined software tools/databases.
• Ensure that assigned projects 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 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.
• Act as a role model and mentor to junior project management team members. Provide ad-hoc support based on their experience.
• When required, act as a Deputy for the Portfolio Head of Projects. This will include duties such as supervising activities of team members and leading or providing representation at reviews or meetings.
• Embrace and act as a champion for collaboration across the project management function and 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 orientated projects include:
  • Lead or provide input to Customer tenders working in accordance with the Bid and Pursue Programme Lifecycle Process with emphasis on the preparation of a compliance matrix and providing a clear account of associated risks.
  • Negotiate and reach agreement with customers or end users on aspects such as project deliverables, specifications, detailed requirements, budget/contract value or schedule.
  • Responsible for completing project Kick-off and Sales to Project Management Handover.
  • External stakeholder management during project 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 Technology orientated projects include
  • Initiate and control feasibility or science and technology studies in accordance with the PEC Technology Development Management 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:
  • Fulfil the role of Group Lead for a designated group of projects and leading project execution performed by PM(s) assigned to the Group:
    • Effective leadership and development of allocated project/programme managers or other resource.
    • Line-management of allocated PM(s).
    • Identify development activities to ensure professional development of allocated team members to support building of capability.
    • Coordinate the accurate forecasting of sales and Target Gross Margin (TGM) for programmes/projects within the Group.
    • Identify opportunities to accelerate programmes where resources permit and it is acceptable to the end customer.
    • Liaise and coordinate with the Head of Programme Management & PMO to assist with maximizing resource utilisation and to ensure the installation aspects of projects/programmes are delivered in the most effective and efficient way.
    • Act as the first point of escalation for Customers within the Group.
    • Injection of expertise to drive best practice.

People and Talent Management:

• Promote disciplined project management throughout the global project management function.
• The SPM will effectively exploit and develop the knowledge of people from all functions.
• Map programmes of work and understand clearly the different role profiles, team structures and competencies required to deliver the goals and objectives of the project.
• Create inclusive and coordinated project environments to maximise the effectiveness of teams to achieve project success and for individuals to develop.

Commercial:

• Assuring that best industry practice project management 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 SPM will satisfy our customer commitments, provide innovative products to the marketplace and maximise shareholder return.

Policies and Procedures:

• Ensure individual and project compliance with company policies for Ethics, Health, Safety and Environment.
• Promote and lead business change in support of the in-progress initiative to standardise and integrate Programme Lifecycle Management, Product Lifecycle Process and Technology Development Management Process into a PEC process framework for application across the global business.
• Contribute to regular maintenance of the PEC process framework to ensure that it accurately reflects Smiths Detection project management practices or identified improvements.
• Follows a proactive approach to developing an understanding of company policies and procedures and in the first instance uses resources such as training material, procedure documents and process guidelines as a go-to source.

Qualifications

Educational requirements:

• Internationally recognised professional qualification in project management (equivalent to IPMA level B/C) or relevant practical experience as a Programme Manager on complex programmes essential.
• Degree qualification (HND minimum) in relevant discipline (Business/Project Management or Technology/Engineering) desirable.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of project 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 projects (such as R&D, Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, Service etc).

Skills:

• Extensive experience operating as a project manager essential., Direct experience of engineering/technology or construction/infrastructure environments desirable. Can demonstrate experience of the complete project lifecycle and degrees of project complexity.
• Strong verbal and written communication and people management skills.
• Proven problem-solving skills combined with extensive experience leading integrated teams to benefit the delivery of projects.
• Developed 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.
• Experience of or 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.
• Capable of driving continuous improvement across all aspects of areas of responsibility adopting both formal and informal approaches.
• High level of experience of product development covering product introduction, enhancement and sustaining and/or managing a customer in a commercial environment.

Competence and Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a natural passion to deliver against commitments.
• Ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation recognising the level of details that is required for a particular audience.
• Significant ability to build and manage a multicultural team in a matrix environment and influence people outside of direct reporting relationships.
• Advanced vision, attention to detail, highly organised and proven ability to work under own initiative developing methods and procedures for new assignments.
• Significant ability to influence and act as a champion for project governance, particularly those related to project management.
• Lead the production and control of baselined, fully logic linked, cost and resource loaded plans, with appropriate milestones utilising approved work breakdown structures and techniques.
• Capable of producing special reports for the Senior Leadership Team within short timescales and comfortable working with ambiguity.
• Leading the application of change activities from proposal through to integration into the Performance Measurement Baseline.

Planning and Decision Making:

• Responsibility for planning, organising and executing assigned projects.
• Operate in accordance with a delegated authority, making prompt decisions to resolve problems and escalating issues in a timely manner.
• Required to operate autonomously in accordance with strategic direction from line manager.

Impact and Scope:

• This is a senior professional project leadership role with accountability for the successful delivery of major projects that span Commercial and/or Technology.
• Failure to achieve required outputs would result in impact to major divisional organisational objectives.

Key Internal and External Relationships:

• NW Europe Programme Director
• Global Programmes Director
• Market Heads
• VP Technology & Programmes
• VP Commercial
• Programme Excellence Centre Team
• Technology Finance Director and Analysts
• Commercial Finance Teams
• Project Controls Manager and Project Controllers
• Customer and supplier representatives

Additional Information

To find out more about life at Smiths Detection check out our LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/smiths-detection/ and follow our story

Join us for a great career and competitive compensation & benefits whilst keeping the world a safer place.

Diversity & Inclusion:

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, 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 Detection, 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 (www.smithsdetection.com/careers)

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)