The Project Delivery function tracks and delivers some of the most complex and exciting projects in UK defence, offering fantastic variety with the support to shape and grow your career. With Project Controls and Project Management specialists working arm-in-arm, together our teams deliver fast-paced, cutting-edge projects – from the newest armoured vehicles to ground-breaking future aviation technologies – while ensuring critical core programmes keep moving forward, too.

We’re an Association for Project Management accredited organisation, and as part of our team you’ll benefit from plenty of opportunities for development, on-going training, access to funded professional qualifications, and a c.27% employer pension contribution. You’ll also have access to a wide range of employee networks, including the Women’s Inclusive Network, Race & Culture Network, Pride Network, Disability Network – and many more. We recognise that the best people for the job may have commitments outside of work, so we’re pleased to promote flexible working to support our colleagues in balancing work and home life.

Are you organised and would like to develop a career in Project Planning & Scheduling? Do you enjoy working with others? If so, we have opportunities to train as a Planner and Scheduler across SDA within a variety of exciting projects.

The Planning and Scheduling role is vital to managing our projects to ensure we deliver to time and cost ensuring our armed forces have the equipment and support to continue protecting the UK. The Planning and Scheduling role both develops and manages a project plan providing insight on performance and prioritises upcoming work.

What is Planning and Scheduling? Planning is the process we use to identify the what, who and how required for Project Delivery. Scheduling helps us to understand the when, how long and order of activity needed to deliver the project.

You will be based at Abbey Wood (ABW) Bristol or HMNB Devonport with the opportunity to visit our sister sites across the UK. At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

You will be working for the Scheduling Management Group (SMG). This is a junior role providing ample opportunity to start your career in Project Planning and Scheduling. You will be provided with training and development opportunities in order for you to progress, along with an internally recognised course at foundation level for Planning and Scheduling within your first 6 months. Alongside one of our Lead Planner and Schedulers, you will be working on some of our low complexity projects provided with plenty of support from the wider Planning & Scheduling community.

If you have experience of using excel, an aspiration for further development, and the passion and commitment to consistently deliver the best outcomes, then the SDA is for you.

What you’ll be doing

• Building schedule baselines in line with SDA procedures and desk instructions to drive and control project.
• Monitoring progress and resources against baseline highlighting variances.
• Updating remaining work so forward forecast is available.
• Communicating key project schedule performance data to key member of the project, programme and SDA leadership.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience in managing and interpreting data to a high degree of accuracy.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, in particular Excel.
• Enthusiastic and able to be flexible with a varying workload.
• An excellent communicator is required, both verbal and written.
• An ability to work in a team environment but also able to work independently.
• Motivated to learn and develop new skills.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Stakeholder Management
• Planning and Scheduling
• Communicating and influencing
• Working together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,800, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,506 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: http://bit.ly/SDA–Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills

Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.

1. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Offering at a lower level

If you’re not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you’ll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.