Graduate Project Manager

Job Description:

Your Impact

Are you ready to launch your career and make an impact on real-world projects from day one?   

At Leonardo, we’re looking for graduates who want to be part of something extraordinary—shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. 

We are committed to developing our graduates into leading technical or business professionals, and as such we will also support you through your preferred route for professional development. 

Our 12-month Graduate Programmes give you the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects alongside subject matter experts. 

On joining, you will receive a starting salary of £34,000 per annum, plus a £1,000 welcome bonus. You’ll also be eligible for a £1,000 exit bonus upon successful completion of the programme. In addition, you may be eligible for a Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA), subject to specific criteria. 

We encourage you to spend at least three days each week on site to integrate with your team and maximise your learning experience. 

The Opportunity:

An opportunity has arisen within the Customer Service Support Solutions (CS3) Typhoon Export Support Team for a Graduate Project Manager. The support service projects encapsulate a number of international Customer, Partners and Suppliers making the role both challenging and technically demanding. You will be charged with defining, planning and co-ordinating activities and resources to deliver multiple support service projects on time, within budget & to quality. To achieve this, you will be expected to work with resource managers within a matrix structure and technical experts to deliver: existing support services; scope and refine future support services and work packages: assign and manage budgets; define milestones; monitor costs; report on Project performance to management and customers, maintain and manage a register of ongoing risks and opportunities.

The role needs interaction with a wide variety of personnel at various levels within the company as well as with customers and suppliers, thus strong and effective communication skills are vital. You will also work closely with other Project and Programme Managers for the business area to optimise and priorities support needs and output.

The role will be based in Edinburgh and require three to four days of working on-site, and to be cleared to UK Security Check (SC) level. Some national or international travel will be required.  

Through your time as a Graduate Project Manager you will: 

• Manage and deliver small-medium sized projects/work packages, reporting on progress, issues, schedule and cost to the Project Manager.
• Work with Project Manager co-ordinating and supporting a range of activities across an international demonstrator project.  
• Work closely with Engineering Management and other supporting functions to build relationships and develop ways of working.  
• Manage Stakeholders (both internal and external) and gain exposure to an International consortium and customer base. 
• Develop to Association of Project Management Qualification (APMQ) level.  

Key skills you will use and develop will be to: 

• Plan, manage, monitor and report on multiple projects simultaneously in accordance with a Lifecycle management process.
• Organise and coordinate internal Phase/Gate Reviews, Customer reviews and supplier reviews and manage all resultant actions to closure
• Monitor and control all activities and costs, defining and implementing corrective (or "recovery") actions required to tackle any deviations from the planned activities.
• Co-coordinate the activities of the IPT by establishing appropriate communication mechanisms, encompassing both meetings and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrate ownership for delivery and performance of the projects of relevance
• Establish and maintain the Work Package Management for the IPT, understanding the specific resource profiles
• Conduct effective Risk and Opportunity reviews and be pro-active in looking ahead to identify risks that may impact the project or can be mitigated.
• Build and manage relationships with internal/ external stakeholders to ensure all projects supported and delivered maximising customer satisfaction
• Be capable of interacting with technical experts from a variety of disciplines and prepared to challenge and seek further justification where necessary.
• Facilitate problem solving and resolve conflicts within the team.

Who you will bring: 

• You should have a high level of drive and commitment – be results driven.  
• Possess strong all-round literacy, numeracy and analytical skills, be comfortable presenting information and communicating. 
• Work well within a team but also be able to self-start.  
• A fast and able learner capable of learning engineering products and processes both in hardware and software.  
• Someone who thrives in a fast paced and complex environment with the ability to multi-task.  

What we need from you: 

All of our roles require (a) a minimum of a 2:2 Bachelors/Integrated Master’s degree, or (b) a higher degree, such as a MSc or PhD. 

For the Graduate  Project Manager role, the acceptable degrees are: 

• Management

• Technology 

• Business 

• Engineering 

Security Clearance 

Many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government Security requirements and customer obligations.  As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years. 

For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV).  As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual's background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment. 

To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years.  In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.  Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment. 

For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us 

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.  

We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive. 

• Time to recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year. 

• Secure your future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution. 

• Your wellbeing matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).  

• Rewarding performance: All employees are eligible for our bonus scheme. 

• Join in our success: Our annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides you the opportunity to own shares in Leonardo. 

• Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more. 

For a full list of our company benefits please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/company-benefits 

We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know. 

Be part of something extraordinary - apply now!  

Primary Location:

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid