Job Description

Senior Project Manager - INSIDE IR35 CONTRACTOR

Application Deadline: 10 April 2026

Department: Programmes and Business Improvement

Employment Type: Contract / Temp

Location: Brize Norton

Compensation: £650 / day

This is an inside IR35 contractor position for a 4 month period.

Please note the successful incumbent must already hold Security Clearance with UKSV.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead and deliver complex, high‑value programmes that support operational excellence, business growth and customer priorities. This is a high-impact role combining strong project leadership with commercial awareness, stakeholder management and a passion for continuous improvement.

Why AirTanker?


AirTanker is a key part of the UK’s defence capability, delivering essential air-to-air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MOD. Operating where military precision meets commercial excellence, we uphold the highest safety and compliance standards. As a Senior Project Manager, you’ll directly shape the delivery of major programmes across the business — leading complex initiatives, engaging senior stakeholders and ensuring projects transition smoothly into business‑as‑usual. Your work will drive operational excellence, realise tangible business benefits and ensure the organisation is equipped to deliver successfully today and into the future.

What's in it for you?

• Strategic Impact: Lead high‑profile programmes that directly support business growth, operational excellence and customer outcomes.
• Commercial Acumen: Develop strong commercial awareness through close collaboration with commercial and supply‑chain teams on change and risk management.
• Stakeholder Influence: Build strong relationships with senior leaders, customers and external partners, shaping decisions at programme and strategic level.
• Continuous Improvement Exposure: Drive improvements in project governance, tools and ways of working, contributing to a mature and effective PMO function.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of major projects and programmes, ensuring outcomes are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards.
• Engage and collaborate with sponsors, customers, senior leaders and stakeholders to define requirements, timelines, costs and delivery approaches.
• Develop and maintain robust project plans, adapting to changing priorities and business needs.
• Assign and manage project tasks effectively, aligning work to team members’ skills, experience and strengths.
• Monitor performance and risks, producing clear and accurate project status reports for customers and senior stakeholders.
• Ensure benefits, outcomes and success measures are clearly defined, tracked and realised.
• Identify, manage and mitigate project risks, issues and dependencies using appropriate controls.
• Work closely with commercial and supply chain teams to manage contract changes and associated risks.
• Support continuous improvement of project management tools, templates, processes and capability alongside the PMO.
• Capture lessons learned, oversee project close‑out and ensure effective handover into BAU.
• Line manage and support less experienced team members, contributing to capability and leadership development across the function.

What you'll bring

• Relevant degree, HNC or equivalent professional experience
• Proven experience delivering large, complex, cross‑functional projects or programmes
• Experience leading and developing teams
• Strong understanding of project, programme and risk management frameworks
• Confident user of MS Project, Excel, Visio and other core PM tools
• APM PFQ and PMQ (or equivalent)