Head of Project
Full time - Hybrid
Derby
We are seeking Heads of Project to lead complex, high-value infrastructure projects forming part of the Rolls-Royce Submarines Infrastructure programme. The role purpose is built around three key pillars, which is to Govern, Assure, and Enable. They will work collaboratively with a partner-led delivery organisation, maintaining regulatory integrity, strategic alignment, and performance oversight across all stages of the EPCC lifecycle. The HoP is also responsible for establishing and leading a cross-functional client management team to enable delivery and ensure integrated decision-making. We are seeking applicants with the experience to lead both nuclear and non-nuclear projects.
What you will be doing
Govern – Set Direction, Maintain Control, Ensure Alignment with assigned project.
Defines clear escalation paths, and decision-making structures within the Client team
Where applicable, align project with site licence conditions, safety cases, and regulatory requirements (ONR, EA, etc), or ensure close alignment with any licensed site that has a physical proximity to the assigned project
Align project plans to site wide master plan and flex to meet the requirements of the site wide programme
Maintain overall accountability for the project outcomes, holding the partner delivery organisation to account through the agreed project and programme governance arrangements
Represent the business case, ensuring changes to requirements are assessed for cost, schedule, and contingency impacts and approved with project sponsors
Chair or represent the client at governance forums and boards; intervene through stage-gate reviews at major regulatory or delivery hold points. Ensure that once requirements are approved at governance gate, any change is formally controlled in line with the Rolls-Royce change management process. Prevent unvalidated scope additions through proactive management of stakeholder demands and clear documentation of requirement baselines
Accountable for the project level risk management approach, in line with the protocols defined by the programme management team, and via the Project Controls team established for the assigned project
Align project strategy, key milestones, and business outcomes, ensuring resource use and delivery decisions are consistent with long-term asset value and nuclear safety
Single point of accountability for the ownership, quality, veracity, of performance data and reporting in line with the agreed reporting cadence and infrastructure DBU requirement
Working closely with the delivery partners, define and manage the content of project specific task orders
Support the Programme Delivery Manager in the execution of the management task order for the corresponding partners. Note: The Programme Delivery Manager will assume the role of Service Manager/Project Manager at the management task order level
Working closely with the Programme Delivery Manager, review and approve partner candidates proposed for projects via the personnel approvals process
Assure – Verify delivery compliance with internal and external safety and quality and environmental requirements
Ensure safety is the highest priority across all activities, leading by example, undertaking weekly project specific safety walks. Safe delivery of the project is the highest priority for the HoP
At project level, contribute to the programme wide safety hub
Lead tiered assurance activities: 1st through the partner delivery team, 2nd through the client project assurance functions, and 3rd through corporate/regulatory interfaces
Working with the Head of Infrastructure Functional Assurance, and/or their functional leads, ensure adherence at project level to the approved approaches to design assurance, construction assurance, quality, and H&S
Alignment of contractor performance metrics with internal business milestones
Monitor contractor performance using KPIs, risk-based audits, quality metrics, and milestones
Ensure accurate and representative cost, risk, and schedule data are generated, verified, and reported monthly—with sufficient evidence to build trust with internal and external stakeholders
Ensuring the project risk register is a live control document, actively managing risks through ALARP principles
Enable – Support, Empower, and Develop the Delivery Organisation
Create and lead a high performing intelligent client team, to achieve project and programme outcomes, based around the fundamental pillars of govern, assure, and enable
Work with the partner organisations to establish the partner delivery team. Work with the partner teams to break down barriers to delivery
Populate their teams with the necessary resources, as per the requirements defined the relevant functional lead
Enabling the appropriate application of relevant RR standards/policies/etc within the context of the infrastructure project involving multiple external delivery partners
Work with the partner to set priorities that link delivery of infrastructure to programme milestones
Role model, hold self and others accountable for the behaviours, processes and approaches that support collaborative working across all stakeholders
Accountability for defining and agreeing project requirements through the relevant Facility Project Model stage gates, working with the relevant capability workstreams
Having baselined the project requirements, implement and manage the agreed change control process
Nurture cross project collaboration to support programme goals, schedule, and overall outcomes
Take ownership of the project level steering groups, maintaining a connection with the programme level to ensure cascade and establish project relevant focus areas
Contribute towards the creation of a programme wide stakeholder roadmap, maintaining the project level stakeholder information
Why Rolls-Royce?
Work with us and we’ll welcome you into a culture of caring and belonging where you can be yourself. We will listen first, embrace feedback and act with integrity. We will invest in your continuous learning and development, and make sure you have access to a wide breadth and depth of opportunities to grow your career and make a difference.
We offer excellent development, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.
Your needs are as unique as you are. Hybrid working is a way in which our people can balance their time between the office, home, or another remote location. It’s a locally managed and flexed informal discretionary arrangement. As a minimum we’re all expected to attend the workplace for collaboration and other specific reasons, on average three days per week.
Who we’re looking for
Leadership
Role models the Rolls-Royce behaviours. Leads by example with safety and integrity as non-negotiables. Calm under pressure, and comfortable with ambiguity. Takes full accountability for all project outcomes and is tenacious in holding others to account for delivering on their commitments.
Strategic Thinking
Maintains a clear focus on outcomes, value, and long-term asset contribution to the business.
Influence & Collaboration
Navigates complex stakeholder environments to build alignment, commitment and trust.
Decision Making
Makes informed, timely decisions that balance risk, opportunity, and compliance.
Continuous Improvement
Promotes innovation, learning, and measurable performance improvement.
Behaviours:
Forms and leads a cross-functional client team, comprising functional leads, e.g., commercial, engineering, safety, regulatory affairs, commissioning, programme controls, and delivery interface roles
Ensures the client management team operates as a unified, accountable group with a clear delivery focus and aligned behaviours—irrespective of parent company or organisational boundary
Sets clear priorities, delegates responsibilities appropriately, and maintains momentum through structured forums, regular coordination, and transparent communication
Leads by example in promoting safety culture, decision discipline, shared ownership of delivery outcomes, and the collaborative ethos expected in a partner-led environment
Acts as a role model for performance, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement—holding self and others accountable for consistent delivery standards
Specific Role Requirements:
Highly skilled in Project management, having held senior leadership roles for major infrastructure projects at a minimum value of £250m
Familiarity with the NEC4 suite of contracts, in particular the PSC and ECC forms, and CEMAR, or other similar contract administration tools
Background and experience in delivery of complex infrastructure projects in industrial, high-tech manufacturing, and highly regulated industries and settings
Desirable:
A background in Engineering, and corresponding affiliation with an Engineering institution
Chartered Project Professional, or other senior project management accreditation
Join us & help Rolls-Royce to become a high-performing, competitive, resilient business.
Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate but is anticipated to
This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives. And the more perspectives we have, the more successful we’ll be. By building a culture of respect and appreciation, we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.
Learn more about our global Inclusion Strategy
Grade: Management Level B
For further information, please contact: Alison Connaughton