Principal Project Manager

Job summary

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Designing engineering solutions. Earthquake-proofing embassies. Managing construction contracts in challenging locations. Just a few examples of the incredible work our Engineering team does. They're the people who plan, design, and deliver innovation across all corners of the globe. Now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

• Bringing energy to embassies
• Designing systems that protect
• Realising the power of your skills
• It all matters
• Deliver the technical projects that help to keep the UK safe and secure

When you join us in this pivotal leadership role, you will be accountable for the successful delivery of a strategically important Engineering and Operations portfolio comprising complex programmes and projects. You will provide visible leadership across the portfolio, ensuring effective governance, robust planning and resource management, rigorous project controls, lifecycle cost management, and high-quality reporting to clients and senior stakeholders.

You will lead a portfolio of programmes and projects from concept and initiation through to handover and operational acceptance, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, schedule, budget and quality standards. As a senior leader, you will proactively manage risks, issues and escalations, drive informed decision-making, and create the conditions for successful project outcomes. Equally important will be your ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and excellence in project delivery.

You will provide leadership and direction to a team of Senior Project Managers, project professionals and contract personnel, ensuring resources are effectively deployed and aligned to business priorities. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will build strong relationships, influence at all levels and maintain confidence through clear, timely and professional communication.

You will be responsible for ensuring projects are delivered in compliance with corporate governance, Health & Safety requirements and contractual obligations, while achieving agreed commercial outcomes, including portfolio profitability and gross margin targets. You will oversee resource planning, approve key project documentation, review and authorise significant change requests, and provide assurance that projects remain aligned with strategic objectives.

Working collaboratively with colleagues and peers across the organisation, you will play a key role in developing capability, improving project delivery processes and embedding best practice. You will champion professional development, coaching and mentoring, helping to build project management expertise across the business. You will also lead the resolution of complex customer, commercial and delivery challenges, ensuring risks are effectively mitigated, resources remain optimised and project teams are empowered to deliver exceptional results.

Use all your skills, knowledge and expertise as you support our global mission

To be a success in this important post you should hold Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ or an ISEB Certificate in Project Management or their equivalent and/or have or working towards ChPP and have well developed experience of all the relevant Health & Safety standards and procedures, including Construction Design Management 2015.

It’s essential that you have good knowledge of applying project management methodologies relating to the design, planning, development and implementation of multi-disciplinary projects as well as a track record of leading design and delivery teams through projects.

In addition, we’ll also look for understanding and experience in the operation, maintenance and deployment of construction and security infrastructure projects and experience of using NEC4, GC works or Fidic contracts and documentation used in procuring construction projects is an essential.

Your excellent interpersonal and communication skills will allow you to inspire, motivate and lead project teams, and in addition to sound knowledge of financial controls and a track record of working successfully with enterprise financial systems such as Oracle, you’ll have experience of deploying complex projects in a secure environment as well as some experience of delivering projects in overseas locations.

A practical understanding of products such as M_o_R®, MSP® and M_o_V® would be desirable, as would. Membership of APM or equivalent or RIBA, RICS, ICE, IStruct E, MCIOB or CIBSE.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

We’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

• To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk
• Closing date: 18/10/2026
• It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

We are looking for people with:

• Commercial Awareness
• Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, ISEB Certificate in Project Management, ChPP or equivalent
• Experience of relevant Health & Safety standards and procedures including Construction Design Management 2015
• Specific domain understanding and experience in terms of the operation, maintenance and deployment of Construction and Security infrastructure projects
• Applied and assured project management methodologies in the design, development and implementation of multidisciplinary projects.
• Deployed large complexity projects in a secure environment
• Led teams and managed people
• Proven track record in leading design and delivery teams through project management processes
• A sound knowledge of financial controls and management with knowledge of all aspects of the project life cycle coupled with a track record of working successfully with Enterprise financial systems (e.g. Oracle) at a project level.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills – both written and verbal
• Experience in using NEC4, GC works or Fidic contracts and documentation used in procuring construction projects
• Experience of delivering projects and working overseas

Qualifications

Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, ISEB Certificate in Project Management, ChPP or equivalent

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Prince 2 Practitioner, APM PMQ, ISEB Certificate in Project Management, ChPP or equivalent
• Experience of relevant Health & Safety standards and procedures including Construction Design Management 2015
• Specific domain understanding and experience in terms of the operation, maintenance and deployment of Construction and Security infrastructure projects
• Experience of delivering projects and working overseas
• Applied and assured project management methodologies in the design, development and implementation of multidisciplinary projects
• Led teams and managed people
• A sound knowledge of financial controls and management with knowledge of all aspects of the project life cycle coupled with a track record of working successfully with Enterprise financial systems (e.g. Oracle) at a project level.
• Experience in using NEC4, GC works or Fidic contracts and documentation used in procuring construction projects

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,055, FCDO Services contributes

£21,743 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
• A leave allowance of 25 days per annum
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details
• career history with key responsibilities
• achievements
• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a MS Teams interview or Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be required to present a short presentation and be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Feedback will only be provided if you atten