Project Manager – Geospatial (Land) Programme

Project Management
Uk
August 9, 2025
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

About the Role

This is a high-impact opportunity to join Defra as a Project Manager, responsible for leading workstreams within the Geospatial (Land) Program. This program underpins critical national initiatives such as environmental policy, land use planning, grant allocation, and digital mapping across England.

You’ll manage projects that improve how land use data is captured, standardized, shared, and utilized across government, local authorities, and stakeholders. A key deliverable includes the creation of a Common Land Model—a single, authoritative view of land use data.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead project delivery of the Land Model workstreams, ensuring timely, quality-focused outputs using Agile methods.

  • Develop and manage business cases, procurement strategies, delivery plans, and budgets.

  • Coordinate project teams and resources to align with project milestones.

  • Engage stakeholders including internal teams, policy leads, and delivery partners.

  • Establish project governance, assurance processes, and risk management protocols.

  • Ensure benefit realisation through robust measurement, tracking, and review.

  • Support data integration efforts, geospatial standards development, and collaboration with other departments.

  • Contribute to a Centre of Excellence for geospatial capability across Defra.

Essential Experience & Skills

  • Proven experience delivering complex projects within Agile environments.

  • Skilled in stakeholder engagement, including senior and cross-government partners.

  • Strong planning, reporting, and risk management skills.

  • Familiarity with public sector procurement and supplier management.

  • Ability to lead change and manage ambiguity in a fast-paced setting.

  • Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.

  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership practice.

Desirable Qualifications

You should hold, or be working toward, a recognized Project Management qualification such as:

  • PRINCE2 Practitioner

  • APM Project Management Qualification

  • Agile PM Practitioner

  • APM Chartered Project Professional

  • Project Leadership Program

  • PMI PMP (Project Management Professional)

Assessment Process

  • Application: Submit a CV and a 750-word personal statement outlining relevant experience.

  • Interview: Will assess behaviors (e.g. Leadership, Communication, Delivering at Pace), technical skills, and experience. Includes a presentation.

  • Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Key Behaviors Assessed

  • Changing and Improving

  • Delivering at Pace

  • Leadership

  • Communicating and Influencing

Additional Information

  • This role does not offer visa sponsorship – applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

  • Some travel, particularly to Crewe, may be required.

  • A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months for future similar roles.

Benefits

  • 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing with service

  • Flexible working arrangements

  • Access to a wide range of Civil Service benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to the role

  • Civil Service pension with excellent employer contributions

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