UK Health Security Agency

Project Manager

The closing date is 25 February 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

We are looking for a Project Manager to join the Estates, Engineering and Facilities (EEF) team, which is within the Scientific Facilities and Performance group.

The EEF Department is responsible for engineering, maintenance, environmental sustainability, facilities and capital works projects to the site to maintain safe, regulatory and compliant facilities to meet current and future business objectives. The combined departmental budget is in the order of £40M PA.

The department's function manages and controls a team of staff, both in-house and contracted to assure governance in the supply of engineering maintenance to fixed plant and equipment, building maintenance and engineering modifications to uphold the asset value of UKHSA's Porton Down estate, and facilities services to meet EEF's business plan and the wider organisational needs. EEF engages with stakeholders over current and future facilities, engineering and equipment maintenance requirements to ensure the site is safe, compliant, operational and fully available to meet business needs.

Main duties of the job

As a Project Manager you will lead on the day to day running of projects, which will typically be low to moderate in complexity. These will be small scale initiatives often relating to making sure the business can continue to operate, although you may be involved in supporting more complex projects. You will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of the project, ensuring that the objectives are clearly defined and achieved within the agreed time, cost, and quality constraints. You will have a key role in project governance and will work with stakeholders to ensure the agreed project outputs are delivered to enable benefit realisation.

The post holder will, as Project Manager, support the Capital Works Manager and Senior Project Managers in delivering the site capital programme working closely with the site business units and will be responsible for the delivery of capital projects up to an approximate value of £5m in accordance with Project Management Procedures Manual and cover all stages of the Government Procurement Strategy.

The post holder will work closely with department managers, project sponsors, research and production specialist staff, together with external consultants and be expected to work as an expert providing specialist knowledge to all parties on the development of capital projects from concept to completion. These projects will provide for research facilities and process equipment, high containment laboratory refurbishments and new build work.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£41,983 to £48,128 a year Per annum, Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-GB-62391369-EXT

Job locations

Porton

Porton

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Manage the day to day running of projects.
  • Lead the project to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost, and quality constraints.
  • Build project plans and apply appropriate delivery methodology, setting project controls and tracking and reporting against milestones.
  • Co-ordinate the development of the project business case.
  • Monitor and track project spend, ensuring it is within budget.
  • Plan and manage resources to deliver the project.
  • Identify benefits, ensuring these are understood, measured, tracked, and owned. Monitor the longer-term delivery of benefits against the business case.
  • Develop effective relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Identify and monitor project scope, risks and issues, developing mitigating actions and escalation processes.
  • Provide project reports, support effective governance and decision making.
  • Support project assurance, audit, and gateway reviews.
  • Set up effective change management processes, including documenting agreed changes to the project deliverables.
  • Promote individual and team performance, seek appropriate guidance and coaching from the project community.
  • Become an active member of the UKHSA Project Delivery Profession Community.

Essential criteria

  • Experience of working in a large or medium complexity project team or as work stream lead for smaller or low complexity projects.
  • Working knowledge of project delivery methodologies and frameworks.
  • Working knowledge of planning, scheduling, budget management, resource management, risk and issue management and quality management in a project or programme environment or appropriate skills that have been gathered in a non-project environment.
  • Working knowledge of governance, assurance, requirements management and change control in a project or programme environment or appropriate skills that have been gathered in a non-project environment.
  • Capable of business case development, managing commercial and procurement processes, and asset allocation.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with multiple tasks.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, collaborating across boundaries with the ability to influence and challenge effectively.
  • Strong capability in using Microsoft Office applications, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desirable criteria

  • Knowledge and experience of Project Management methodology supported by professional qualifications such as:o APM Project Management Qualificationo PRINCE 2 Practitionero Agile Project Management Practitionero PMI Project Management Professional

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift - Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (8) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Up to 1,000 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).

Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  1. Meets all essential criteria
  2. Meets some essential criteria
  3. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the following will proceed to shortlisting:

  1. Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

  • Experience of working in a large or medium complexity project team or as work stream lead for smaller or low complexity projects

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview - Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Porton. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Strengths, Experience, will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Working Together
  • Changing and Improving Lead behaviour
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working at Pace

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.

Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter TerrorismCheck security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires SecurityCheck (SC) clearance. UKresidency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gainingnational security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary InformationIf you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Manage the day to day running of projects.
  • Lead the project to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost, and quality constraints.
  • Build project plans and apply appropriate delivery methodology, setting project controls and tracking and reporting against milestones.
  • Co-ordinate the development of the project business case.
  • Monitor and track project spend, ensuring it is within budget.
  • Plan and manage resources to deliver the project.
  • Identify benefits, ensuring these are understood, measured, tracked, and owned. Monitor the longer-term delivery of benefits against the business case.
  • Develop effective relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Identify and monitor project scope, risks and issues, developing mitigating actions and escalation processes.
  • Provide project reports, support effective governance and decision making.
  • Support project assurance, audit, and gateway reviews.
  • Set up effective change management processes, including documenting agreed changes to the project deliverables.
  • Promote individual and team performance, seek appropriate guidance and coaching from the project community.
  • Become an active member of the UKHSA Project Delivery Profession Community.

Essential criteria

  • Experience of working in a large or medium complexity project team or as work stream lead for smaller or low complexity projects.
  • Working knowledge of project delivery methodologies and frameworks.
  • Working knowledge of planning, scheduling, budget management, resource management, risk and issue management and quality management in a project or programme environment or appropriate skills that have been gathered in a non-project environment.
  • Working knowledge of governance, assurance, requirements management and change control in a project or programme environment or appropriate skills that have been gathered in a non-project environment.
  • Capable of business case development, managing commercial and procurement processes, and asset allocation.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with multiple tasks.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, collaborating across boundaries with the ability to influence and challenge effectively.
  • Strong capability in using Microsoft Office applications, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desirable criteria

  • Knowledge and experience of Project Management methodology supported by professional qualifications such as:o APM Project Management Qualificationo PRINCE 2 Practitionero Agile Project Management Practitionero PMI Project Management Professional

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift - Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (8) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Up to 1,000 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).

Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  1. Meets all essential criteria
  2. Meets some essential criteria
  3. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the following will proceed to shortlisting:

  1. Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

  • Experience of working in a large or medium complexity project team or as work stream lead for smaller or low complexity projects

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview - Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Porton. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Strengths, Experience, will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Working Together
  • Changing and Improving Lead behaviour
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working at Pace

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.

Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter TerrorismCheck security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires SecurityCheck (SC) clearance. UKresidency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gainingnational security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary InformationIf you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

  • Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Working Together
  • Changing and Improving - Lead behaviour
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working at Pace
Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

  • Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Working Together
  • Changing and Improving - Lead behaviour
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working at Pace

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Porton

Porton

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Porton

Porton

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Team

Gurkamal Bhambra

gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£41,983 to £48,128 a year Per annum, Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-GB-62391369-EXT

Job locations

Porton

Porton

SP4 0JG


Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)