Project Manager - FTC (LR08)
About Aquila ATMS
At Aquila Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS), we are dedicated to creating a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and excellence thrives. As a joint venture between NATS and Thales, we combine the expertise of leading air traffic control services and global systems integration to deliver cutting-edge solutions in air traffic management.
Join us in shaping the future of air traffic management, and together, we will elevate aviation safety and efficiency worldwide!
The Role
We are looking for a Project Manager to join our team on a 6-month fixed term contract. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to the organisation’s goals and support the work of the wider team. In this position, you will help deliver key activities that support effective operations, continuous improvement, and positive outcomes for colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
Your core responsibilities will include:
In this role you will:
Safety, Compliance & Risk Management
· Ensure all project activities comply with the Aquila Management System and applicable customer, contractual, regulatory, safety and health & safety requirements.
· Own and actively manage project risks, opportunities and issues, ensuring they are identified early, communicated clearly and escalated appropriately.
· Ensure bids and project governance, approvals and assurance activities are applied consistently across all projects within remit.
Delivery, Quality & Customer Focus
· Lead the delivery of assigned projects across the full lifecycle, from bid and initiation through delivery and transition to Business as Usual (BAU).
· Ensure effective planning, scheduling, cost control, scope management and resource utilisation across all projects.
· Maintain accountability for project performance, ensuring delivery to time, cost, quality and specification commitments.
· Provide accurate, timely and meaningful reporting to support senior management oversight and decision‑making.
Collaboration, Culture & Values in Action
· Work collaboratively across Bids, Engineering, Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance and Service Delivery to support integrated project outcomes.
· Build and maintain effective working relationships with customers, suppliers and partners.
· Promote equity, inclusion and diversity through fair processes and inclusive leadership behaviours.
· Actively contribute to a culture of trust, professionalism and shared accountability.
Innovation, Improvement & Future Capability
· Identify and implement opportunities for improvement in bid and project delivery, efficiency and value generation.
· Promote consistent application of Aquila’s project management standards and governance across the team.
· Encourage continuous improvement and the appropriate adoption of new tools, techniques or ways of working.
Leadership, Direction & Stakeholder Engagement
· Provide professional project management leadership, guidance and mentoring across projects within remit.
· Influence and advise stakeholders using sound judgement and evidence‑based insight.
This is a hands on role where you’ll contribute to meaningful work and play a part in helping the organisation achieve its objectives.
About You
You’re a Project professional who contributes positively to your team and the wider organisation. You work collaboratively, adapt to different situations, and bring sound judgement to your work. You communicate clearly, build effective working relationships, and approach challenges with a practical, solutions‑focused mindset.
To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:
Relevant experience as a Project Manager or in a similar role.
Knowledge of project management processes, standards and methodologies.
Experience in delivering multiple projects in a structured project or programme environment from bid delivery through to project execution and closure.
The ability to take ownership for successful project delivery through disciplined planning and follow‑up.
You also:
Promote Aquila’s Just Culture, reporting incidents, safety non compliance, or potential issues in an appropriate and timely manner.
Consistently demonstrate behaviours aligned with Aquila’s core values and leadership behaviours in all actions and decisions.
What We're Looking For
Essential Criteria
Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at multiple levels using professional judgement.
Structured and analytical approach to problem solving with excellent attention to detail.
Proven leadership capability, including experience line managing or leading others.
Experience delivering multiple projects in a structured project or programme environment.
Desirable Criteria
Knowledge or experience of continuous improvement approaches (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma).
Experience delivering projects under fixed‑price or contractual delivery models.
Ability to adapt quickly to new tools, technologies or delivery environments
Experience working with or for UK Ministry of Defence clients (e.g. MOD or DE&S).
Experience within aviation, military or Air Traffic Management environments.
If you don’t meet every requirement but feel you have relevant experience, we’d still like to hear from you. We support flexible working arrangements and encourage applications from candidates seeking part-time, (remote), or hybrid roles.
Benefits
Core Benefits
201 hours (approx. 27 days) annual leave + 1 Company Day to be used at Christmas (Excluding Bank Holidays) - Prorated for part time and temporary contracts
Time off to volunteer (up to 3 days per annum)
Company Pension Plan (Aquila contribution = employee contribution + 1%, up to 7%)
Life Assurance (2x basic salary or up to 8x if in the pension scheme)
Income Protection
Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support and counselling
Company paid Private Medical Insurance (Couple cover)
Variable Compensation Plan (discretionary bonus)
Employee Assistance Programme
Flexible Benefits
Through Aquila’s flexible benefits platform, you can tailor your package, including:
Healthcare Cash Plan options
Additional PMI cover
Buy or sell annual leave
Cycle to Work scheme
Discounts at high street retailers
Family, Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Enhanced Maternity pay
Enhanced Paternity leave & pay
Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
Mental Health First Aiders
Recognition through Altair Award
Employee referral bonus
Security Clearance Statement
Due to the nature of the work that we do, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a Non-ITAR country may be considered. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance- United Kingdom Security Vetting – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Equal Opportunities, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Aquila is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
- Department
- Projects
- Role
- Project Manager
- Locations
- AQUILA CTC, Whiteley, Fareham UK
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Yearly salary
- £50,000 - £58,000
- Employment type
- Temporary
About AQUILA
Aquila provides the defence, aviation and maritime sectors with air traffic management and safety critical infrastructure services.
Our resilient services on the ground ensure safe operations in the skies, at sea and on land.