Defence Delivery Leader — Principal Programme Lead

Kainos; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kainos is seeking a Principal Delivery Manager to oversee complex digital transformation programmes across multiple teams and suppliers. You will work with Director and C-level stakeholders to shape delivery strategy, govern governance, and ensure profitable, high-quality outcomes.

You’ll manage capacity and resourcing while growing key sector accounts. You will lead diverse delivery teams, coach leaders, and drive continuous improvement, with an emphasis on risk management, client satisfaction,

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering complex digital programmes within a consultancy, professional services or comparable environment.
• Digital delivery experience and stakeholder management in a complex environment.
• Proven experience leading large-scale digital transformation programmes across multiple teams and suppliers.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments.
• Experience establishing programme governance and managing risks, issues and assurance within complex delivery environments.
• Experience building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including Director and/or C-level decision makers.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, high-value digital programmes across multiple teams, ensuring delivery aligns with strategic goals and measurable outcomes.
• Define success factors beyond time, budget and scope, focusing on long-term impact and client satisfaction.
• Provide senior delivery leadership in fast-moving environments, balancing client priorities and commercial interests.
• Create clarity across programmes by setting direction and actively managing dependencies and risks.
• Own programme financial performance, forecasting and reporting of cost, revenue and margin.
• Build trusted relationships with Directors and C-level stakeholders and identify growth opportunities.
• Lead delivery teams, coach leaders, and manage capacity and staffing across engagements.

Skills

Delivery leadership

Stakeholder management

Agile delivery

Risk management

Governance

Team coaching

Change leadership

Client relationship building

Job description

Kainos is seeking a Principal Delivery Manager to oversee complex digital transformation programmes across multiple teams and suppliers. You will work with Director and C-level stakeholders to shape delivery strategy, govern governance, and ensure profitable, high-quality outcomes.

You’ll manage capacity and resourcing while growing key sector accounts. You will lead diverse delivery teams, coach leaders, and drive continuous improvement, with an emphasis on risk management, client satisfaction,