Job Description

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Portfolio Manager

Closing date: 24th November 2026

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: Starting from £64,780 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

AWE is currently recruiting for a WUT Portfolio Lead, reporting to the Warhead Portfolio Director. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced P3M professional to lead a portfolio of programmes and projects that support our warhead capability.

You’ll lead teams through transformation, ensuring programmes and projects are effectively prioritised, governed and resourced while maintaining high-quality delivery.

You’ll bring strong project and portfolio management expertise, alongside a pragmatic and innovative approach, helping translate technical innovation and strategic objectives into tangible capability benefits.

Working with technical leads, specialist teams and senior stakeholders, you’ll oversee portfolio performance across delivery, risk, budgets, benefits, dependencies and resources, providing clear insight to support effective decision-making.

As a leader, you’ll coach and develop others, build strong relationships and create an inclusive environment, while managing competing priorities and driving successful delivery.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an individual with a proven track record in leading within complex projects, programmes or portfolios; someone who can build strong relationships, inspire teams, navigate ambiguity, and drive positive change. The ability to tailor P3M approaches to suit the needs of the portfolio and maximise value will be critical to success in this role.

If you are passionate about leadership, delivery excellence, and enabling technical innovation to achieve meaningful outcomes, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We do need you to have the following:

• Experience in Project, Programme or Portfolio delivery.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams, including coaching, developing and motivating others.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Portfolio governance, planning and scheduling.
• Risk, opportunity and benefits management.
• Managing people, budgets and competing priorities.
• Building relationships and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Turning strategy and portfolio information into clear plans and priorities.
• Business cases, assurance and change management.
• Working in a complex or highly regulated environment.
• Confident communication at all levels.
• Managing ambiguity and changing priorities.
• GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent.
• Relevant professional accreditation, or willingness to achieve this within 12 months.
• A recognised Project, Programme or Portfolio Management qualification.
• Membership of APM, CaSA or an equivalent professional body.
• Qualifications such as MSP, MoR, MoP, APM Project Planning, Monitoring & Control or APM PMQ would be beneficial.

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

• AWE has a wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:
• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role.

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.