Project Manager – National Security

Location: Cheltenham
Day Rate: £500-700 DOE
Clearance: Active eDV required
Working: Flexible / hybrid

The Opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced Project Manager to join a small, agile technology business delivering mission-critical projects across National Security.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to step away from the layers of bureaucracy and red tape you can often find in larger organisations, and join a business where you can genuinely make an impact.

You’ll work alongside highly talented technical and delivery teams, taking ownership of complex projects and having the freedom to shape how things are delivered.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience delivering complex technology or transformation projects

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

• Experience working across Agile, Waterfall or hybrid delivery environments

• Ability to take ownership and operate with a high degree of autonomy

• Experience within National Security, Defence or similarly complex environments

• Active eDV clearance is essential

Why Join?

This is a business where progression isn’t limited by rigid structures or lengthy promotion cycles. With a small, growing team, there is plenty of scope to take on greater responsibility, develop your career and make your mark.

You’ll also benefit from:

• Salary up to £80,000 DOE

• Flexible working

• Excellent benefits package

• A highly talented and collaborative team

• Significant autonomy and ownership

• Less bureaucracy and red tape

• Clear opportunities for progression as the business grows

• The opportunity to work on genuinely mission-critical National Security programmes

If you’re an eDV-cleared Project Manager looking for a smaller, more agile environment where you can have a real impact, this could be a great next move. Apply below or reach out direct!

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Programme Manager / SME – Hybrid – £1000 p/d – Customer Retention – 3 months

Our client – a leading financial services company are looking for a Senior Programme Manager to scope and set up an enterprise wide customer retention programme. SMEs or advisors with the correct experience will also be considered.

Applications will only be considered if you posses recent experience within a financial services company and relevant customer retention / re connection / re-engagement experience.

Key Responsibilities

▪️ Establish a customer retention programme from discovery through to full pilot roll out.
▪️ Identify customer touch points across customer journey (renewals, complaints, life cycles)
▪️ Design and implement targeted re-engagement strategies
▪️ Build data-led insights to track risk and performance
▪️ Develop and present strategy and business case to senior stakeholders
▪️ Drive cross-functional delivery and embed change through training and engagement

Required experience

▪️ Must have relevant experience from a financial services background
▪️ Proven delivery of customer retention programmes
▪️ Strong background in customer analytics, CRM or life-cycle strategy
▪️ Ability to run discovery, define scope and build business cases
▪️ Confident engaging and influencing senior stakeholders

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Project Manager – £550 Outside IR35 – Hybrid Suffolk – Contract

We’re supporting a leading UK business in the search for an experienced Project Manager to deliver a major operational change programme across a large multi-site estate.

We’re looking for candidates with a strong background in retail or hospitality, who can drive cross-functional projects, manage key stakeholders, and deliver operational change at pace.

Key Requirements:
Proven Project Management experience within retail OR hospitality.
Experience working across large, multi-site operations.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Track record of delivering complex change and transformation projects.
Understanding of operational compliance and process implementation.
Proven experience within Supply chain / logistics projects.
Experience with Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) or similar regulatory/change programmes would be a significant advantage.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Senior Project Manager – Actuarial Model Development – IMAP programme

Our prestigious London based client have an urgent requirement for an interim Senior Project Manager to join a large internal model programme. This Project Manager will lead the delivery of the actuarial modelling development workstream within the programme, working closely with the client’s actuarial function and in-house actuarial developers.

Up to £850 per day – UMBRELLA ONLY

6 month initial contract (with scope for long term extensions – the programme should run for 18 months+)

Hybrid working – Circa 2 days a week onsite in the client’s office in City of London

Experience needed:

• Strong and specialist Project Management experience
• Proven experience of leading actuarial modelling, or actuarial system development projects
• Previous experience within the Life & Pensions industry
• Experience of working directly with actuarial teams, ideally with experience of working with actuarial developers
• Gravitas and credibility to engage and influence senior stakeholders up to a senior level
• Personable, engaging, and able to bring a variety of stakeholder groups together

Any candidates who are not able to clearly demonstrate all of the required experience above within their CV, will not be considered for this role.

To apply for this role, please send a copy of your CV in the first instance. Suitable candidates will be contacted in due course. If you have not heard back within 7 days following CV submission, your application in this instance will have been unsuccessful.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Governance & Planning Manager

Grade: SEO
Contract: 6 months
Start Date: 1 September 2026

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Governance & Planning Manager to support a major transformation programme in a hybrid role combining PMO governance, programme planning and hands-on delivery management.

This role will take responsibility for core programme governance activities, including maintaining the ADO plan, sprint planning, board and reporting packs, POAP management and RAID coordination, while also supporting the day-to-day delivery of individual implementations.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced PMO professional with previous Delivery Manager experience, able to balance strong governance and planning discipline with a practical, outcome-focused approach to delivery.

Key Responsibilities

PMO & Governance

• Manage and maintain the ADO plan, ensuring delivery activity, milestones and dependencies are accurately reflected.
• Support and coordinate sprint planning and wider Agile planning activities.
• Develop high-quality programme board packs, governance papers and reporting packs.
• Maintain the Plan on a Page (POAP) and associated programme reporting.
• Support programme governance processes and ensure appropriate reporting and controls are maintained.
• Assist with external PMO activities, including RAID management, dependency tracking and risk escalation.
• Maintain accurate programme plans, actions, decisions and governance records.
• Provide clear and concise reporting to senior stakeholders, highlighting progress, risks, dependencies and areas requiring intervention.

Delivery Management

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of individual implementations.
• Coordinate delivery activity across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups.
• Track milestones, dependencies, risks and delivery outcomes to ensure implementation remains on track.
• Identify and remove blockers quickly, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Balance delivery pace with appropriate governance and control.
• Support Agile ceremonies and delivery forums where required.
• Ensure delivery activity remains focused on agreed outcomes, benefits and value.

Essential Knowledge & Experience

Programme & Project Delivery

• Proven experience delivering programmes and projects in complex environments.
• Experience operating within Agile delivery environments.
• Previous experience in a PMO, Programme Management or Delivery Management capacity.
• Strong understanding of programme planning, delivery controls and governance.

Agile Delivery

• Practical knowledge of Agile delivery methodologies including Scrum, Kanban and Lean.
• Experience with sprint planning and backlog management.
• Understanding of iterative delivery techniques.
• Experience working within Product Operating Models.

Governance & Controls

• Strong experience managing RAID.
• Experience producing delivery reporting and programme governance packs.
• Strong programme planning and control capabilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective governance without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Stakeholder Management

• Ability to engage, influence and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience facilitating workshops, governance meetings and delivery forums.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and stakeholder expectations.
• Proven ability to build effective cross-functional relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

• Experience working on Government Major Programmes.
• Previous experience delivering digital transformation programmes.
• Experience within estate or workplace transformation.
• Knowledge of the DTaS Product Operating Model.
• Experience working within an FCDO operating environment.
• Experience with Agile at Scale, including SAFe, Scrum@Scale or equivalent approaches.
• Programme management qualifications such as MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner or AgilePM.

Key Skills & Competencies

Leadership & Collaboration

• Effective facilitator and communicator.
• Able to build trust quickly across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Comfortable working collaboratively across programme, product, technical and business teams.

Delivery Focus

• Strong execution mindset with a focus on outcomes.
• Excellent prioritisation and planning skills.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous and fast-moving environments.
• Focused on delivering measurable outcomes and value.

Problem Solving

• Proactive approach to identifying and removing blockers.
• Able to balance delivery pace with appropriate governance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proactive approach to risk identification and management.

Organisational Skills

• Excellent planning and coordination capability.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Able to manage multiple workstreams, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced transformation environments.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will combine the governance discipline of a strong PMO professional with the hands-on approach of an experienced Delivery Manager.

You will be comfortable managing programme governance and senior reporting while also getting into the detail of delivery, coordinating teams, resolving blockers and ensuring individual implementations progress successfully.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working across both strategic programme governance and practical day-to-day delivery, and who can bring structure, pace and accountability to a complex transformation environment.

Grade: SEO
Contract Length: 6 months
Start Date: 1 September 2026

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Service Manager | National Security | Cheltenham / London / Manchester | £ Flexible Day Rate £

We’re looking for a contract Service Manager to support governance, reporting, and risk management across two existing managed services – while also supporting the onboarding of a new one.

SFIA 3-4 level (but can go higher). You’ll work directly with a senior stakeholder on a day-to-day basis, so confidence and credibility are key.

• Start: ASAP
• Duration: 12 months
• Rate: £600-650/day
• Location: Cheltenham, London, or Manchester
• Clearance: ⚠️ eDV is essential, no exceptions

If this sounds like you or someone in your network, get in touch.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Cyber Project Manager – Contract – Hybrid Bristol

We are helping a major wealth management company hire a Project Manager with Cyber experience.

Please note you must have worked within a financial services company to apply for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of cyber security projects across the organisation.
• Manage project plans, timelines, budgets, risks and dependencies.
• Engage with Cyber Security, Technology, Risk and Compliance stakeholders.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and meet regulatory requirements.
• Provide regular updates to senior stakeholders and governance forums.
• Support the delivery of initiatives including IAM, PAM, Cloud Security and Vulnerability Management.

Required Experience

• Proven cyber security Project management experience.
• Must have financial services experience.
• Strong track record of delivering complex technology & security projects.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Understanding of cyber security controls, frameworks and best practices.
• Experience working with Agile, waterfall or hybrid delivery methodologies.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Sanderson are supporting a leading consultancy in the search for a senior payments consultant with deep expertise in merchant acquiring, payment acceptance and UK & Ireland payments markets.

This is a client-facing role supporting a globally leading financial services brand and their clients on payment strategy, acquiring transformation, gateway implementation and emerging payment technologies.

What we’re looking for

• Strong acquiring experience across UK & Ireland markets.
• Good understanding of payment gateways, payment orchestrators and merchant acceptance.
• Experience working with acquirers, PSPs, fintechs or payment networks.
• Knowledge of tokenisation, digital payments and emerging payment technologies.
• Ability to support client presentations, workshops and strategic recommendations.
• Experience delivering payment transformation, gateway implementations or payment migrations.
• Understanding of commercial payment flows and B2B payments.
• Strong stakeholder management and consulting skills.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

We are looking for an experienced Consultant in managing People and Culture Change across an established and high-profile client.

• People Change within an established environment
• Active SC Clearance
• 2 days on site – London

You will be joining a passionate team delivering a vast scope of deliverables across 100+ Public and Private Sector clients.

In this role, you will support in making internal people processes more efficient and support the client in improving their current people estate.

This is an SC Cleared role, candidates will need to be cleared already due to the urgency of the role – this role is to start ASAP. The role will start as an initial 3-month contract, all successful candidates are expected to interview WC 17/06/2026.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

IT / Digital Project Manager – Outside IR35 – Hybrid – £650 pd

You must have recent experience at a London Market / Reinsurance / Specialty Lines / Underwriting company to apply.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.