ILIOS - Assistant Project Manager

ILIOS Overview

ILIOS is the Construction Partner for the UK’s STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) fusion programme, the UK’s world-leading programme to design and build a prototype fusion energy power plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.

ILIOS is a consortium led by a joint venture between Kier and Nuvia, supported by AECOM, AL_A and Turner & Townsend, bringing together extensive experience across major national infrastructure, nuclear and safety-critical engineering, complex site transformation, programme and cost management, and world-class design.

Working as part of the public-private sector integrated team led by UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), ILIOS is embedded in the programme as STEP transitions from planning into delivery.

Description of job:

The Assistant Project Manager supports the successful planning, coordination, and delivery of projects, helping to ensure they achieve agreed objectives, timescales, budgets, and quality requirements. Working closely with the Project Manager and wider project team, the role provides coordination, reporting, governance, stakeholder engagement, and project control support throughout the project lifecycle.

The Assistant Project Manager acts as a key point of communication between project stakeholders, suppliers, and delivery teams, assisting with the management of schedules, risks, issues, actions, costs, and project documentation. The role supports effective decision-making and contributes to the successful delivery of projects in accordance with organisational standards and project management processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the delivery of projects across all lifecycle phases, including definition, design, procurement, manufacture, construction, and commissioning.
• Support mobilisation of project teams and coordination of project start-up activities.
• Support the development and maintenance of project schedules, budgets, and forecasts.
• Support procurement activities, including preparation of enquiry documentation and supplier engagement.
• Produce project reports, dashboards, and management information for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support communication and collaboration between project teams, contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Support the identification, assessment, and maintenance of project risks and opportunities.
• Support the development of tender submissions, cost estimates, and project delivery plans.
• Assist with proposal preparation and bid activities.
• Assist the Project Manager in monitoring project performance against scope, schedule, cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Coordinate project activities to ensure delivery milestones and objectives are achieved.
• Assist in maintaining Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS), and organisational reporting structures.

Qualifications, experience and skills:

• Qualification in Engineering, Project Management, Business Management, or a related discipline.
• Working towards or holding a recognised project management qualification (e.g., APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMP or equivalent).
• Demonstrates professional standards of behaviour and compliance with legal, regulatory, and technical requirements.
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of project financial management principles.
• Experience within a project, engineering, construction, or programme delivery environment.
• Demonstrable experience supporting project delivery, project controls, planning, project engineering, or project coordination activities.
• Good organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Developing problem-solving, planning, and risk management skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Full UK driving licence.

Employee Staff Benefits:

• 8.5% Employer Pension Contribution with Life Assurance Cover
• Private Medical Scheme*
• Employee Share Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working, in agreement with local line management.
• 25 Days Annual Leave (increasing to 28 days after 5 years’ service, 31 days after 10 years’ service)
• Option to buy, sell and carry over up to 5 days annual leave per year.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes: Electrical Vehicles, Technology and Cycle to Work.
• 18 Weeks Full Maternity Pay* (+21w SMP)
• In Partnership with Trade Unions
• Personal Development & Further Education Support
• Long Service & Recognition Awards
• Fantastic Employee Discounts
• Free Employee Assistance Programme

*After 1 year of service.