Job Description

Smith’s Detection is seeking a Project Manager to join the Programmes team in Ireland, supporting projects across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The role will report directly to the Group Lead Ireland and play a key role in delivering a portfolio of customer-facing and technology-based projects.

The Project Manager will be responsible for managing multiple low to medium complexity projects while supporting larger programme activities. This is a highly visible position requiring strong stakeholder management, commercial awareness, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams within a matrix organisation.

The Project Manager can be based in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland and will work in a hybrid arrangement, with time split between client sites, company hubs, and home working, depending on project requirements.

Based primarily from Dublin Airport, the successful candidate will receive full training on Smiths Detection products, ensuring they develop the knowledge and expertise required to deliver projects successfully.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, with all necessary airport and prison authority security clearances completed during onboarding.

Team Structure

The Ireland-based Programmes team is relatively lean, providing an excellent opportunity for an individual who enjoys autonomy and ownership. The successful hire will work closely with:

• Group Lead Ireland (line manager)
• UK-based Programme colleagues
• Engineering and project-focused teams across Ireland and the wider business
• Global cross-functional stakeholders including Finance, Supply Chain, Service and Product teams

The role will operate within a matrix environment, influencing resources and stakeholders without direct line management responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Lead projects from initiation through to completion.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets and risk registers.
• Manage project governance activities and reporting requirements.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed scope.
• Drive project controls, forecasting, change management and corrective actions.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key interface between customers, suppliers and internal teams.
• Manage customer expectations while protecting project scope and contractual commitments.
• Present project updates, risks and performance metrics to senior stakeholders.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Support customer tenders and bid activities.
• Manage project financials including forecasting, cost control and revenue recognition.
• Ensure effective handover from Sales into Programmes and ultimately into Service.

Portfolio Support

• Support the Group Lead Ireland with the wider portfolio of projects across Ireland.
• Collaborate with Programme Excellence teams to ensure best practice project delivery.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience managing projects from initiation to completion.
• Experience working within engineering, technology, infrastructure, manufacturing or construction-based environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing project schedules, budgets, risks and resources
• Ability to work independently and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.
• Intermediate-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with strong numerical, data analysis and reporting skills.

Desirable Experience

• Defence, security, technology or engineering sector experience.
• Product development or systems integration project experience.
• Customer-facing commercial project management experience.
• Exposure to project management methodologies such as Waterfall, PRINCE2 and Agile.
• Experience using project tools such as MS Project, SAP, Primavera, Oracle ERP or Power BI.