Project Manager (Band 4/HEO)

Job summary

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Science Division is a world-leading provider of health and safety solutions to industry and government. The scope of our work requires a diversity of talented individuals to investigate workplace incidents, provide scientific support to HSE inspectors directly or through research and, provide consultancy support and training to UK industry.

This exciting opportunity will be based at the HSE Science and Research Centre, our research laboratory and unique outdoor testing facilities, in Buxton, Derbyshire and you will be working as part of our Science Division Project Management Team. Do you have experience as a Project Manager? If so, this is a fantastic opportunity to deliver projects that make a real difference to protecting people across Great Britain’s workplaces. As Project Manager (PM), you will be working on a portfolio of medium-high risk science and engineering based health and safety related projects, generally using waterfall methodology. You will be part of a team of PM specialists and will oversee a diverse portfolio of projects, for both commercial clients and HSE while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 28 hours per week over four days.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure, through customer engagement, that the project plans accurately define the project aim, objectives, and overall scope of work.
• Motivate and lead the delivery team to identify requirements, plan the work and manage delivery to quality, time, and cost.
• Proactive budget and cost management.
• Schedule management.
• Understand the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders and ensure effective communications throughout the project life cycle.
• Ensure effective project risk management is in place to ensure effective delivery and protect the business against financial risk.
• Recording key project information in line with business needs so that senior managers can make informed decisions.

Person specification

Essential Skills & Criteria

• Experience of managing and delivering projects successfully through the full project lifecycle, demonstrating robust knowledge and effective application of project management tools, techniques and methodologies. (Lead Criterion)
• Good organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing demands simultaneously, prioritising effectively to deliver work to the required quality, timescales and outcomes.
• Proven experience of identifying, assessing and managing project risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle, developing and implementing effective mitigation and contingency actions.
• Financial and commercial awareness, with experience of budget management, cost estimation, resource allocation and monitoring expenditure to support the delivery of projects on time and within budget.
• Well developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with team members, colleagues, senior managers and external stakeholders to build understanding, secure agreement and achieve project objectives.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams, building and maintaining positive working relationships, bringing people together and balancing competing needs to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Demonstrates a high degree of personal resilience and adaptability, with the ability to perform effectively in ambiguous, challenging and changing environments, together with a willingness to work towards an additional APM qualification.

There is the expectation that you will attend the Buxton office at least 3 days per week.

Qualifications

A Nationally recognised Project Management qualification

GCSEs in English and Mathematics (or equivalent qualification)

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Demonstrate Project Management knowledge and application on medium-high risk projects, throughout the whole project life-cycle

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,005, Health and Safety Executive contributes £11,010 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector.
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 185 hours annual holiday increasing to 222 hours after 5 years' qualifying service, plus public holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave (recorded as 7.4 hours in addition to your annual leave balance)
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Please be advised that the tests ARE NOT timed

Upon submitting your short application form, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible, within 24-48 hours is recommended, to allow time to complete your full application.

If you successfully pass the test, you will then be invited to complete the final stage of your application.

You must complete the online tests and your full application form by Midday on the 24th of September 2026. If you fail to complete the online test and full application form before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.’

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Information

As part of your application, you will be invited to complete an anonymised CV that details your qualifications, career history and experience. Please be advised that the CV is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

You will also be asked to complete a Personal Statement of up to 1000 words which demonstrates how you meet the essential skills and criteria of the job advert.

In the event of a high number of applications at sift we will assess on the Lead criteria of essential skills: Experience of managing and delivering projects successfully through the full project lifecycle, demonstrating robust knowledge and effective application of project management tools, techniques and methodologies.

Application Guidance

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/

Please access the following link for guidance and further information on the Civil Service Tests, including practice tests: Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK

Sift Information

The sift will take place during week commencing 28th September 2026 where you will be assessed on your Personal Statement.

Interview Information

Interviews are expected to take place from week commencing 12th October 2026 in person at our Buxton office where you will be assessed on your Technical skills in relation to the role together with the behaviours outlined in the job advert.

Sponsorship

This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.

Further Information

Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.

HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks.

From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE’s Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details – name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box internal.fraud@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.

Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions.

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.

If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk

If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.

Any move to HSE from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further;
Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Michelle Hawkins
• Email : michelle.hawkins@hse.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe that Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition have not been met, you can raise a complaint by emailing: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk or by writing to HSE at the following address:

HR Resourcing Team, 2.3 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact Civil Service commissioners:

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecode…

Attachments

HSE Terms and Conditions - CSJ Advert Annex Opens in new window (pdf, 116kB)