Lead Project Controller – Defence Industry

Location: Templecombe
Contract: 12 months
Rate: 550 – 600 per day (Umbrella)

As a key member of the Programme Management Team within a defence-sector environment, the Lead Project Controller will ensure the Programme operates as a cohesive, integrated unit with consistent application of project management best practice. This includes oversight of scheduling, cost control, governance, change management, document control, and risk/opportunity management.

The role carries responsibility for maintaining the Programme Governance Drumbeat, ensuring that all project controls processes support the successful delivery of a strategically important defence Programme.

Success requires strong stakeholder engagement across diverse teams and locations. The role demands excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills to ensure delivery of required programme outcomes to agreed time, cost, and quality parameters.

• Support the Project Manager in establishing and maintaining the programme drumbeat, governance structure, and reporting rhythm.

• Own and manage the monitoring/control of the WBS, integrated schedule, risk register, and EAC.

• Conduct deep-dive schedule analysis, ensuring schedule integrity, coherence, dependency alignment, and optimisation.

• Embed a rigorous risk and opportunity management framework, supporting Control Account Managers as required.

• Establish and maintain programme metrics to ensure visibility, monitoring, and control across all workstreams.

• Manage configuration control for governance, baseline maintenance, and schedule reporting.

• Lead and develop the PMO team, ensuring capability, accuracy, and proactive behaviour in programme reporting.

• Prepare and review key data inputs for Programme Reviews and internal governance boards.

• Ensure adoption of best-practice PMO processes and project controls protocols across the Programme.

• Coach programme team members to drive consistency in project management standards.

• Promote a continuous improvement and “Lessons Learned” culture within the Programme.

• Undertake other relevant duties consistent with the seniority and nature of the role in a defence context.

• Adaptive leadership and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including written reporting and presentation.

• Excellent organisational and leadership capabilities.

• Strong financial and commercial awareness.

• Advanced PMO and project controls expertise, with the ability to coach project and work package managers.

• Proficiency in interpreting and reviewing complex schedules and transforming data into clear management insights.

• Positive attitude, strong motivation skills, and ability to build high-performing teams.

• Expertise in managing change in a complex, high-assurance environment.

• Extensive track record leading PMO/project controls in complex defence or similarly regulated environments.

• Proven experience building and sustaining strong relationships with stakeholders in high-complexity programmes.

• Experience operating in a multidisciplinary, multi-site defence or engineering organisation.

• Experience coaching and developing less-experienced project management professionals.

• Strong knowledge of scheduling and project management techniques (WBS, OBS, milestones, dependencies, EVM).

• Deep understanding of Programme Management processes including Change Control, Risk Management, and Information Management.

• Demonstrated experience managing lifecycle delivery across Development, Production, Closure, and Support phases.

• Experience coordinating with supply chain, engineering, and finance teams within defence or high-integrity industries.

• Proficiency with scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 and MS Project, including project control reporting and impact analysis.