Principal / Chief Project Manager

Job Description

Overview

Are you an experienced project leader who can build trusted client relationships, lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver critical outcomes across complex, highly regulated nuclear programmes?

We’re looking for Principal / Chief Project Managers to lead some of Reactor Operations’ most important work for our core clients: EDF, Rolls-Royce Submarines, Urenco and Westinghouse. Our teams support EDF’s operating nuclear fleet through generation, life extension, defuelling and the transition towards decommissioning; help Rolls-Royce Submarines design, manufacture and sustain the reactor plants that support the UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise; and deliver engineering, safety, infrastructure and project solutions for Urenco and Westinghouse across the nuclear fuel cycle. We also support the broader Atkinsrealis business across defence, new build, decommissioning, fusion and net zero initiatives.

As a Principal / Chief Project Manager, you’ll be at the heart of these long-term client partnerships. You’ll shape delivery strategies, lead complex projects and programmes, bring together our technical capabilities and create the confidence, clarity and commercial discipline needed to deliver safely and successfully. You’ll also help identify what our clients need next, strengthen our strategic relationships and support the continued growth of Reactor Operations.

Your role

You'll combine project leadership, commercial judgement, client engagement and strategic thinking to deliver complex engineering projects and programmes.

Depending on your experience and the scale of the role, you’ll:

• Lead complex projects, programmes or portfolios for our core clients, establishing clear outcomes and creating the conditions for safe, high-quality and predictable delivery.

• Build trusted relationships with senior clients and stakeholders, developing a deep understanding of their operational, programme and strategic priorities and longer-term needs.

• Translate complex client requirements into clear delivery strategies, integrated plans and measurable outcomes, from engineering and safety case through to infrastructure, manufacturing and operational support.

• Lead multidisciplinary teams across project management, engineering, nuclear safety, human factors, digital and other specialist capabilities, bringing the right expertise together around the client’s mission.

• Own commercial performance, forecasting, risk, change, opportunities, financial management and project controls, maintaining delivery confidence on long-term frameworks and major commissions.

• Establish effective governance, assurance and delivery arrangements that meet the expectations of nuclear, defence and other highly regulated client environments.

• Guide teams through complex technical, delivery and stakeholder challenges, balancing safety, security, quality, schedule, cost and client outcomes.

• Work with Portfolio, Key Account and Technical Leaders to identify emerging client needs, shape propositions, lead bids and convert strong delivery into sustainable growth.

• Coach and develop project managers and wider team members, strengthening capability and encouraging knowledge sharing.

• Champion project management best practice and continuous improvement across the wider business.

At Chief Project Manager level, the scope may extend to leadership of major programmes, portfolios, long-term frameworks or strategic client relationships across one or more of these core accounts.

About you

We recognise that experienced project leaders build their careers in different ways. We're interested in the strengths, perspectives and leadership experience you can bring to our core client portfolios, rather than expecting every successful candidate to have followed the same career path.

You may bring:

• Significant experience leading complex engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy or major project delivery, ideally within nuclear, defence or another highly regulated sector.

• A strong client mindset, with experience building trusted relationships and working collaboratively with senior client, regulatory, stakeholder and delivery teams.

• Confidence operating with significant accountability while creating space for others to contribute and succeed.

• Strong commercial judgement, with an understanding of how delivery decisions influence client outcomes, framework performance, risk and sustainable growth.

• Experience across areas such as commercial management, forecasting, risk, change, contracts, resources and financial performance.

• The ability to create clarity and direction within complex or ambiguous environments.

• An inclusive leadership style and a genuine interest in coaching, mentoring and developing others.

• The ability to communicate complex information clearly and create alignment across multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.

• An ability to combine attention to detail with a strong understanding of the wider strategic and commercial picture.

• Experience identifying and shaping opportunities that deepen strategic client relationships, improve delivery and expand the value we provide.

Direct experience within the civil or defence nuclear industries, or another highly regulated environment would be advantageous. We also welcome relevant leadership experience from other complex sectors.

A recognised engineering degree and/or professional project management qualification would be beneficial, but we also value experience, leadership capability and transferable strengths.

For the Chief Project Manager level, we would expect broader evidence of leadership across major projects, programmes, portfolios, long-term frameworks, strategic client relationships or business growth activities.

Above all, we’re looking for people who can turn deep understanding of our clients’ missions into excellent delivery: leaders who combine project and commercial judgement with inclusive leadership, trusted relationships and a genuine commitment to helping teams and clients succeed.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.