Karl Ball

Accomplished Project Manager and MAPM professional with extensive experience delivering complex infrastructure, construction and engineering projects across the project lifecycle. Proven capability in project governance, commercial management, project controls, stakeholder engagement and multidisciplinary team leadership, delivering projects valued up to £830m. Skilled in translating strategic objectives into deliverable solutions, managing competing priorities and driving successful outcomes aligned to cost, schedule, quality and safety requirements.

Recognised for building strong client relationships, leading collaborative teams and delivering sustainable value across major programmes and capital investments.

Senior Project Manager - Engineering and Infrastructure Programme – Front End Delivery - Amentum

(2023-01)

I lead a multidisciplinary team delivering feasibility studies, option appraisals, scope definition, risk assessments and business case development for major engineering and infrastructure projects. I manage a portfolio of projects through concept and definition phases, ensuring alignment with client requirements, governance processes and organisational objectives. I direct engineering activities and coordinated multidisciplinary stakeholders to secure investment approval and successful transition into delivery phases.

• Developed and implemented portfolio-wide reporting and assurance frameworks, improving governance, client visibility and decision-making.
• Introduced project health-check methodologies to assess delivery readiness, risk exposure and benefits realisation across complex programmes.
• Management of teams of professionals, promoting collaborative delivery, capability development and continuous improvement.

Project Manager - Defence Equipment and Support

(2020-01 - 2023-12)

Project Manager for two Cat A (>£500M) Projects in the Assessment, Demonstration and Manufacture phases to deliver the missile system and launcher for the UK's next generation fighter platforms and engineering activities for the delivery of the UK AFV's turret and cannon system, ensuring technical integration and compliance with performance requirements. Received outstanding feedback from the customer for performing above expectations. More recent experience in Future Capability Group and the Innovation Through Collaboration team.

• Led a multidisciplinary delivery team, chairing stakeholder engagement forums and coordinating across Cost Control, Scheduling, Risk, and Commercial functions to ensure contractual milestones and complex deliverables were met.
• Maintained live updates to corporate systems, dashboards, and performance data to provide leadership with a clear, risk-informed project picture and enable informed decision-making.
• Successfully delivered an Internal Baseline Review (IBR) on a £700M programme, amid COVID-19 restrictions.
• Demonstrated strong governance leadership and assurance expertise, ensuring the contractor operated against a validated schedule with robust reporting mechanisms - instilling confidence in budgetary and delivery performance.
• Owned two complex Order Book Items, leading monthly Variance Analysis and Cost Performance reporting.
• Delivered a high impact Estimate at Completion (EAC) presentation to senior leadership, aligning business case, contract, and schedule documentation to support timely corrective actions and reinforce delivery assurance.
• Drove process innovation by designing and leading the implementation of time-saving internal improvements.
• Delivered the organisation's first 'Open Space Technology' event - a high-engagement knowledge-sharing forum that enhanced stakeholder connectivity and addressed critical defence-wide queries.

Soldier Training and Special Projects - Defence Equipment & Support

(2018-01 - 2020-12)

Assisted the Delivery Manager in organising assigned Defence classified projects; Undertook Project/Requirement Management and planned/implemented numerous highly classified system trials to de-risk multi-million-pound defence projects.

• Led stakeholder engagement sessions to capture and refine key user and system requirements, shaping acquisition pathways through robust need articulation.
• Directed development and delivery of sensitive projects across a complex portfolio exceeding 3,000 items - collaborating with DE&S teams, user groups, engineers, ILS specialists, suppliers, and OEMs.
• Delivered targeted efficiencies, including a cost saving of £100,000 through strategic supplier and stakeholder coordination.

Head of Operations, Infrastructure and Estate Services - Ministry of Defence

(2017-01 - 2018-12)

Managed operational delivery across a 600-acre defence estate supporting over 1,000 personnel. Responsible for infrastructure, facilities management, community assets, maintenance programmes, compliance and capital works projects.

• Led delivery of estate improvement projects and business change initiatives while managing organisational risk and operational performance.
• Coordinated multidisciplinary teams and external suppliers to deliver infrastructure works and asset management activities.
• Commended by senior leadership for maintaining service delivery and achieving project outcomes during periods of organisational change.

Administration/Project Manager - Ministry of Defence

(2016-01 - 2017-12)

Championed stakeholder engagement to identify and embed continuous improvement initiatives across accommodation and working environments for over 400 personnel. Held delegated responsibility for all site-wide Safety, Health, Environment, and Fire (SHEF) compliance on behalf of the SEO including Fire Risk Assessments, SHEF inspections, regulatory adherence (DSEAR), and overseeing fire safety infrastructure.

• Designed, led, and executed a high-profile 16-mile charitable challenge run event, applying motivational leadership to galvanise 20 headquarters personnel.
• Delivered full-spectrum planning, risk mitigation, and engagement with local authorities and media, successfully strengthening civil-military relations.
• Spearheaded the design and delivery of a departmental Families Day on behalf of the SEO, managing cross-functional coordination with stakeholders, military units, and charitable organisations to foster community cohesion and recognition.

Director of Operations & Logistics Delivery Programme - Ministry of Defence

(2013-01 - 2016-12)

Managed a portfolio of infrastructure, facilities and organisational improvement projects across a large operational estate, overseeing project scope, stakeholder engagement, risk management and delivery assurance. Successfully led multidisciplinary teams and external partners to deliver estate improvement and facilities management programmes while maintaining operational performance and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated strong project leadership through the delivery of a major accommodation infrastructure project supporting 1,200+ personnel, balancing competing priorities, managing project risks and ensuring delivery to schedule.

Director of Royal Navy Pre - Deployment Training in support of Land Operations - Royal Navy - HMNB Portsmouth

(2012-01 - 2013-12)

Royal Naval Provisional Security Advisor - Royal Navy - HMNB Portsmouth

(2010-01 - 2012-12)

Senior Manager - 40 Commando Royal Marines

(2008-01 - 2010-12)

Various leadership and management roles - Ministry of Defence

(1987-01 - 2008-12)

Employed in various leadership and management roles within the MOD focussing on Heavy Weapons, Vehicle Fleet/Weapon Management and general equipment support.