Project Manager - Major Hazards Research & Testing

Some projects demand more than plans and schedules. They demand leadership, judgement and delivery.

When the consequences are significant and confidence matters, industry often needs evidence. For 50 years, organisations from around the world have come to DNV's Spadeadam Research & Testing Centre to find those answers.

Spadeadam is one of the world's leading major hazards research and testing facilities. Our engineers, scientists and technical specialists design, build and operate unique experimental facilities that help industry understand some of its most challenging safety and resilience questions. From hydrogen and alternative fuels to high-pressure gas releases, fire and explosion hazards, pipeline safety and critical infrastructure resilience, the work undertaken here helps shape engineering practice, inform major investment decisions and improve safety around the world.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our Major Hazards Research & Testing team.

A Different Kind of Project Management Role

This is not a conventional project management position. Many project management roles focus primarily on coordinating activities from behind a desk. At Spadeadam, project managers become integral members of multidisciplinary delivery teams, helping engineers, scientists, technicians, subcontractors and clients successfully deliver some of the most complex and unusual research and testing programmes in the world.

Our projects span some of the most important challenges facing the energy, industrial and critical infrastructure sectors. Programmes may involve hydrogen and alternative fuel safety, high-pressure gas release studies, full-scale fire and explosion research, battery energy storage systems, pipeline safety, infrastructure resilience, industrial process safety, energy security and defence-related applications. Many projects require the design, construction and operation of bespoke experimental facilities created specifically to answer questions that have never previously been addressed at full scale.

One week you may be helping a multidisciplinary team plan a major hydrogen safety research programme. The next, you could be coordinating preparations for a large-scale fire or explosion test, managing commercial and programme risks, hosting international clients on site or helping resolve practical delivery challenges involving engineering design, fabrication, construction and commissioning activities. At Spadeadam, no two projects are the same.

Unlike many project management roles, you will spend time on a large operational research and testing site, working closely with technical teams as projects move from concept through construction, commissioning, testing and final delivery. Success depends not only on planning and governance, but on communication, collaboration, practical judgement and the ability to bring diverse teams together to achieve a common objective.

The Opportunity

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for delivering projects safely, effectively and commercially while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage customer relationships, oversee project governance, maintain delivery schedules, monitor commercial performance and support decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. You will regularly engage with engineers, scientists, technicians, subcontractors and clients, helping ensure that complex programmes are delivered successfully from concept through to completion.

The role provides significant responsibility and visibility, offering the opportunity to influence projects that have global impact while working alongside recognised technical specialists. 

Joining Spadeadam means becoming part of a much larger international organisation while retaining the close-knit and highly collaborative culture of the local team.
DNV supports customers across the global energy value chain through advisory, verification, certification and technical services. Project managers benefit from access to DNV's global technical network, specialist expertise, professional development opportunities and international project portfolio while maintaining direct involvement with highly visible projects delivered at Spadeadam.

Few organisations can offer the combination of global influence, technical excellence, meaningful purpose and unique project delivery challenges available within DNV.

Living and Working at Spadeadam

While the work is globally significant, the location offers something increasingly rare. Situated on the Cumbrian side of the border with Northumberland, Spadeadam provides access to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the United Kingdom. The Lake District, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall and the Solway Coast are all within easy reach.

Many colleagues choose to live in rural villages, market towns, Carlisle, Newcastle or southern Scotland, combining an exceptional quality of life with technically challenging and rewarding careers.

As the projects you'll manage are often highly collaborative and closely connected to activities taking place on site, you should expect to spend the vast majority of your working time at Spadeadam. While occasional flexibility may be available, this should not be considered a hybrid role.

Reward and Benefits

We value all our people and the contributions they make to our business, that’s why we offer a flexible reward and benefits package, allowing you to choose the things that matter most to you, including;

• Excellent career development and progression opportunities within DNV’s global reach
• Non-Contractual Profit Share Scheme
• Lifestyle benefits: 26 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity for up to 10 days unpaid leave, sabbatical leave, flexible working options
• Wellbeing benefits:
  • Private Medical and Dental Insurance
  • Annual Gym/Fitness Club allowance
  • Annual Health Assessments, flu vaccinations and company contribution towards eye tests and glasses (for computer/laptop users), 
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides free and confidential support for employees
• Financial Benefits: including a Pension Scheme with employer pension contributions up to 9%, Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Travel benefits: Season Ticket Loan, Cycle to Work Scheme, Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (for personal use)
• Mentored support towards professional accreditation and annual re-imbursement of relevant Professional Membership Fees and bonus for achievement of professional chartership
• Access to employee retail discount site for high street and on-line shopping.
   

We're looking for a project manager who enjoys bringing people together to deliver challenging projects in complex technical environments. You do not need to be an engineer or scientist, but you should be comfortable working alongside technical specialists, asking the right questions and helping multidisciplinary teams achieve successful outcomes.

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:

• Strong project leadership, with experience planning and delivering projects safely, effectively and commercially from initiation through to completion
• The ability to bring diverse stakeholders together, building trusted relationships with customers, technical specialists, subcontractors and colleagues while maintaining focus on successful delivery
• Sound commercial judgement, balancing competing priorities, managing risk, making effective decisions and taking ownership in dynamic and sometimes uncertain environments.
   

Experience within energy, engineering, infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, process industries, defence or other technically complex sectors would be advantageous. PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent project management qualifications, NEC contract experience and the ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance would also be beneficial.