Senior Project Manager - National Timing Centre (NTC)

Our world‑leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Senior Project Manager with proven expertise in delivering technical projects within scientific, engineering or IT environments.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. 

Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust alternative to satellite systems such as GPS – which are increasingly vulnerable to disruption from solar storms, jamming and spoofing. This will underpin essential services; including

• Telecommunications, 
• Online banking, 
• Emergency response, 
• Transport networks, and 
• Wider digital and data-driven operations.

Together, these services form the backbone of modern society - and your leadership will help ensure they remain secure, reliable and robust even if global navigation satellite systems fail. 

As a contributor to this transformation, you will shape the delivery of critical project activity within the NTC programme across NPL, as we deliver an era defining enhancement to the UK’s timekeeping capability.

Key responsibilities:

1. Project Delivery & Scheduling: Independently manage 2–3 concurrent science or IT‑based projects, maintaining clear schedules, milestones, RAID logs, and progress tracking against baseline plans.

    

2. Technical Coordination & Planning: Translate technical input from scientists, engineers, and other specialists into actionable, sequenced delivery plans without needing deep technical expertise.

    

3. Risk, Issue & Change Management: Proactively identify, manage, and escalate risks, issues, and scope changes, ensuring all impacts are assessed, approved, and accurately reflected in controlled project updates.

    

4. Governance, Reporting & Documentation: Maintain high‑quality project documentation and produce timely reporting in line with NTC governance standards, contributing to audits, assurance activities, and programme‑level forums.

    

5. Stakeholder & Team Engagement: Build strong working relationships across technical, HR, and programme colleagues, communicating progress clearly while constructively supporting cross‑programme collaboration and lessons learned sharing.

To succeed in this role, you'll bring the following skills, experience, and qualifications:

Essential:

1. Proven project management experience — 6–10 years delivering projects in science, engineering, IT or similar technical environments, with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
   
   
2. Strong planning, scheduling and governance capability — experienced in creating and maintaining project plans, RAID logs and governance outputs within a structured programme environment.
   
   
3. Highly organised with strong communication skills — able to manage competing priorities while producing clear reports and engaging confidently with diverse technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
   
   
4. Qualified or progressing toward PM accreditation — degree‑level education (or equivalent experience) and a recognised project management qualification such as APM PMQ or PRINCE2 Practitioner.

Highly desirable:

• Experience in public sector, government‑funded or regulated science/technology environments.
  
  
• Exposure to workforce or capability development - e.g., learning and development frameworks, training needs analysis or people capability planning.
  
  
• Experience supporting early‑career development - familiarity with graduate schemes, apprenticeships or talent pipelines.
  
  
• Programme‑level governance understanding - including IMS, change control processes and RAID log management.
  
  
• Interest or awareness of metrology or timing systems.
  
  

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

However, to work in this role in the Time & Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance. 

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview
 
NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
 
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.
 
We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.