Head of Project

Today, Assystem is among the top three independent nuclear engineering firms worldwide. With over 60 years of experience in highly regulated sectors, the group supports public and industrial stakeholders in the execution of complex and strategic infrastructure projects, subject to high safety and security requirements. 

Assystem mobilizes 8,000 experts in 13 countries and intervenes across the entire project lifecycle, in engineering, project management and digital solutions.

Job Title: Project Manager

Location: Derby

Contract type: Umbrella company contractor

As Head of Project, you will act as the single point of accountability for project outcomes—leading a partner-led delivery organisation while ensuring regulatory integrity, strategic alignment, and performance excellence.

You will build and lead a high-performing, cross-functional client team, driving integrated decision-making and delivering long-term value in a highly regulated environment.

Your missions

🔹 Govern – Set Direction & Maintain Control

• 🧩 Define clear governance frameworks, escalation routes, and decision-making structures
• 📊 Hold delivery partners accountable for cost, schedule, and performance outcomes
• ⚖️ Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g. ONR, EA) and site licence conditions
• 🗂️ Manage business case integrity, change control, and scope governance
• 📈 Own project performance data, reporting accuracy, and governance forums
• 🤝 Collaborate with Programme Delivery Manager on partner selection and task orders

🔹 Assure – Drive Safety, Quality & Compliance

• 🦺 Champion a safety-first culture, conducting regular site safety engagements
• 🔍 Lead multi-tier assurance across delivery partners, client teams, and regulators
• 📏 Ensure adherence to design, construction, quality, and HSE standards
• 📉 Monitor contractor performance via KPIs, audits, and milestone tracking
• 📅 Oversee accurate monthly reporting of cost, risk, and schedule
• ⚠️ Actively manage project risks in line with ALARP principles

🔹 Enable – Empower Delivery & Build Capability

• 👥 Build and lead a high-performing, intelligent client team
• 🔗 Foster collaboration across partners and remove barriers to delivery
• 📚 Ensure effective application of Rolls-Royce standards and policies
• 🎯 Align infrastructure delivery with programme milestones and priorities
• 🧠 Promote innovation, continuous improvement, and cross-project collaboration
• 🗺️ Contribute to programme-wide stakeholder engagement strategies

Experience/Qualifications required

• ✔️ Proven experience delivering complex infrastructure projects in regulated environments (e.g. nuclear, defence, energy, or high-tech manufacturing)
• ✔️ Strong knowledge of NEC4 contracts (PSC/ECC) and tools such as CEMAR
• ✔️ Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and partner ecosystems
• ✔️ Deep understanding of governance, assurance, and project controls
• ✔️ Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills

🚀 Why Join Assystem?

✨ Work on nationally significant, technically complex projects
📈 Strong career development and progression opportunities
🤝 25 days annual leave (buy and sell leave scheme)
🌍 Opportunity to make a real impact in energy, defence and infrastructure

**Security clearance**

This role requires the successful candidate to hold a minimum of a Security Check (SC) clearance without any caveats to that clearance.

Due to the nature of work this role will be delivering and for the protection of certain assets, the successful candidate has to be a UK national or in MoD approved cases a Dual National from a non-ITAR country.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES ON RECRUITMENT FRAUD - We are committed to safeguarding candidates from fraudulent activity associated with our recruitment process. Please note that we will never offer specialist CV writing services, request payment or ask for sensitive personal information during the recruitment process.

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.