Project Management Officer

Location: Portsmouth - Hybrid working available

Salary: Circa £40,000 per annum, dependant on experience plus benefits

Schedule: Full-time, Permanent

Ready to impact a better future?

Join Serco's Vessel Replacement Programme (VRP) and play a key role in helping deliver a complex and high-profile programme within our Defence business. This is an opportunity to bring structure, coordination and governance to a programme that has real purpose, supporting work that touches lives and contributes to the future of critical services.

As a Project Management Officer, you'll work alongside a wide range of stakeholders, helping to keep projects on track through effective planning, reporting, documentation management and governance. You'll be part of a collaborative team where innovation, trust and continuous improvement are valued, with plenty of headroom for people to grow and develop their careers.

Please note, if successful, interviews will be held on Tuesday 20th October & Thursday 22nd October.

What you'll do as a Project Management Officer

• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of the Vessel Replacement Programme
• Maintain RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies) logs and support risk management activities
• Create, manage and control project governance documentation
• Maintain project documentation including Project Definition Documents, programme plans, communications plans and project management records
• Manage action trackers and change logs
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas and record accurate minutes
• Support key performance indicator reporting and programme performance tracking
• Ensure adherence to PMO processes, standards and governance requirements

Does this sound like you?

We're looking for someone who is highly organised, proactive and comfortable working across multiple priorities in a fast-paced programme environment. You'll be a strong communicator who enjoys building collaborative relationships and takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality work.

You should also have:

• Experience working within a PMO, project support or programme coordination role
• Experience managing RAID logs and supporting risk management processes
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Experience using project planning tools such as Microsoft Project
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Existing Security Check (SC) clearance or the ability to obtain SC clearance

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the maritime sector
• Knowledge of the defence sector

What we offer

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks:

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

Let's impact a better future, together. Apply today.

A little bit about us:

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact [email protected].

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

defencejobs