Job Description
Job title: Project Manager
Salary: Band D S2 £41,344 gross per annum
Contract type: Open-Ended
Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants. This role does require 3 days per week working on site)
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK
Due to the requirement for obtaining an enhanced security clearance for this role, we are only able to accept applications from individuals who have been resident in the UK for the last five years.
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.
Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.
About the Role:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to join the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). You will be working alongside scientists, engineers, developers, and experts in quantum technologies, working to enhance the UK’s quantum computing capabilities. As part of the Programme Delivery Team, Project Managers are essential to the delivery of our ambitious roadmap for the UK.
NQCC operates a wide variety of projects, including technology projects, building quantum computers in our laboratories, software development, high-performance computing systems, community outreach, and construction projects to build and enhance our facilities. Many of our projects are collaborations with industry and academia.
Our Project Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of assigned projects to ensure NQCC delivers high-quality outputs in a timely manner within budget. The successful candidates will be expected to use their STEM background or acquired STEM-related experience to develop a thorough understanding of assigned projects, leading to the development and delivery of quantum computing hardware, software, and services for the NQCC and our external stakeholders and partners. They will also maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders, maintain project documentation to a high standard, raise awareness of risks, and support reporting to the NQCC senior leadership team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Day-to-day management of some of our quantum computing-related projects and the delivery of R&D or technical outputs, ensuring that all agreed milestones meet stakeholders’ expectations
- Developing, managing, and maintaining working relationships with colleagues at all levels, including project sponsor, technical leads, and external stakeholders.
- Coordinating project teams to ensure deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality requirements.
Understanding and implementing NQCC’s Project Management Process for all assigned projects. - Maintaining project documentation to a high standard, including project management plan, risk registers, communication plan, and lessons learned.
- Managing the project assigned budget.
- Generating project reports in an accurate and timely manner, enabling decision-making.
- Working with the NQCC evaluation team to embed monitoring, evaluation, and benefits realisation activity within projects.
- Being an advocate for positive change and continuous improvement. Supporting others and contributing to the NQCC process and policies.
- Forming a basic working understanding of the project subject matter and general quantum computing technologies.
- Working with discretion to protect project confidentiality, commercial sensitivity, and personal data.
This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and accountabilities involved in the job. This is not an exhaustive list, and the successful applicant might be expected to undertake any other duties across NQCC, appropriate to the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post-holder has the necessary experience and/or training.
Our Benefits:
Our Benefits include a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), a defined benefit pension scheme, and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.
Person Specification:
Whilst a STEM qualification or acquired experience is required for this role, technical expertise in quantum computing specifically is not required. Consideration will be given to a less experienced individual if there is evidence of potential and passion to grow into the role.
We offer significant development and training opportunities. Applicants should meet the following criteria:
Essential
(Please note the criteria below will be assessed at the Shortlisting or Interview stage, as indicated)
- STEM Degree or acquired experience. (S)
- Excellent understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, in Computing, Science, Technology, or Engineering. (S&I)
- Experience and/or qualifications in project-related disciplines, e.g., project management, risk management, quality management, benefits management, etc. (S&I)
- Efficient time management and problem-solving skills, including experience in balancing the needs of multiple projects and stakeholders. (S&I)
- Strong desire to take ownership and accountability for the delivery of technical deliverables. (I)
- Good verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present or report information in a variety of ways.
- Ability to build relationships with and influence stakeholders. (S&I)
- Ability to lead and support teams to deliver outcomes. Especially where there is no line-management control of participants. (S&I)
- Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to the NQCC’s mission, vision, and objectives, and a desire to contribute to these goals. (S&I)
You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas when required.
About NQCC:
The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing.
Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.
The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It sits alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and is part of the wider National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).
Security Clearance:
Due to the nature of the role and a requirement to support diverse projects, the successful candidate is required to complete national pre-employment control checks to the BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) to fulfil the role. Checks can take between 9 and 12 working days. Once in post, they may need to complete an Enhanced Security Check (SC) clearance.
Join us and discover what’s possible!