Project Manager Ref. 2327

Mind Achieving Impact AwardSocial Mobility Foundation AwardThe Times Top 100Disability confident leaderThe Prince's Responsible Business

Project and Programme Office
Cheltenham, London, Manchester
Permanent
£35,450 and £43,957

Benefits we offer

At GCHQ, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment that’s designed to encourage open minds and attitudes. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. With comprehensive training and development opportunities, tailored to your needs and the requirements of your work, we will enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the very best of your abilities.

•    Access to learning and development tailored to your role and support to gain professional qualifications and certifications.
•    An environment that supports a range of flexible working options (including a flexible working hours scheme).
•    A culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
•    Support to gain professional qualifications and certifications
•    A civil service pension
•    25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days based on length of service.


Short summary of the role

As a project manager you will deliver one of the most complex portfolios of projects in the UK and work closely with colleagues with a strong reputation for delivery. You will be accountable for leading and managing innovative projects using a wide range of methodologies.  In response to the changing business environment we’ve broadened our range of delivery approaches to include agile and direct engagement with the business in a consultancy role.

Our projects can be technical but many also drive forward business change and involve working with and influencing external partners. A consummate communicator you’ll engage with stakeholders at all levels, and contribute to the continuing development of the profession.

In return, we will support your development throughout. As corporate members of the Association for Project Managers our commitment to supporting our staff and delivering change has been externally recognised

Project Management forms part of a well-run professional stream within GCHQ with a well-defined set of roles at different levels. Those looking for advancement will have a clear view of what’s required and will be able to work with the central team to identify training and job opportunities to support their development.

We are moving towards a model of hybrid working, and many of our projects accommodate a significant proportion of homeworking. You will need to be prepared to spend some time at our sites, but up to 80% homeworking is possible for some projects


What are will the successful candidate be doing?

We are looking for experienced Project Managers, with posts offered at 2 grades depending on your level of experience.

Exceptionally we may offer lower-graded roles to those with potential and some experience who do not quite meet the standard for our experienced roles.

Less experienced Project Managers will have experience of managing low/medium complexity and medium risk project work post initiation to closure.

More senior Project Managers will have experience of the initiation and management of medium complexity project work throughout the project lifecycle, including planning and implementation.

Depending on grade:

•    Support project initiation
•    Monitor and manage the project, including financial and development progress
•    Manage local risks
•    Maintain the business case throughout the life of the project
•    Manage external project dependencies
•    Plan for and manage stakeholders with product delivery
•    Perform financial planning and management


Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for creative, flexible and forward-thinking project managers from all backgrounds. You will have a proven track record of delivery with a strong customer focus and be adept at translating customer needs into accurate requirements. You’ll have good leadership and interpersonal skills and be committed to supporting others and inspiring their trust and confidence in order to deliver the best outcomes. You’ll need to show us that you are comfortable with a high pace of change and can adapt your delivery method to suit your project.  

You will have experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders. You will have an innovative and hands-on approach with the ability to recognise and respond to opportunities within the business. At the more senior grade you will demonstrate an awareness of and an ability to select a range of delivery approaches and ways of working to meet the demands of a complex portfolio


Competencies

•    Communication and Knowledge sharing    - Higher/Intermediate
•    Corporate Vision and Efficiency   - Intermediate
•    Change and Innovation   - Higher/Intermediate
•    Analysis and Decision Making - Intermediate
•    Contribution to Delivery   - Higher
•    Managing the Customer Relationship   - Higher
•    Working with and Leading Others - Higher


If you’re excited about working with us and think you have some of what we’re looking for but aren’t sure if you’re 100% there yet… Back yourself and give it a go!


Selection Process

To apply for this position, you must meet our nationality, residency requirements. You’ll find more details here – www.gchq-careers.co.uk/recruitment-process.html

Be prepared to dedicate 60-90 minutes to completing your application. We’re conscious this might be more time than you expected, so our system will allow you to save your application at any time and come back to it later. But remember to submit your full application before the closing date.

Once we’ve established that you meet our eligibility criteria, the next steps of this selection process are:

- Business Sift
- Personal interview with presentation
 
If you successfully complete these stages, you’ll receive a job offer, conditional upon you completing our developed vetting (DV) process which enables you to obtain the level of security clearance required to perform this vital role.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. This is known as the Offer of Interview (OOI).

To secure an interview for this role, candidates applying under this scheme must meet the minimum criteria for the Eligibility and Business sift.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. This is known as the Offer of Interview (OOI). To secure an interview for this role, candidates applying under this scheme must meet the minimum criteria for the Eligibility and Business Sift.

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.