Defence Programme Lead – End-to-End Delivery (On-Site)

Ultra Maritime; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus Scheme

Private Medical Cover

25 days’ holiday + Bank Holidays (+5)

Pension Contribution

Life Assurance

Flexible working hours

Security Clearance Allowance

Job summary

Ultra Intelligence & Communications in Maidenhead seeks an accomplished Programme Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of a complex, multidisciplinary engineering programme. The role drives successful outcomes across the full project lifecycle—from bid development and concept definition through delivery, acceptance, and close-out.

The ideal candidate will have defence or closely-related engineering programme experience, with a proven track record of managing large-scale, technically demanding

Qualifications

• Solid experience in project/programme management within defence, IT, engineering, or technology.
• Proven experience delivering large and complex projects or programmes within a technical environment.
• Experience managing programme budgets, forecasting, and resource planning.
• An awareness and understanding of engineering principles and lifecycle models.
• Experience with structured project management methodologies such as Waterfall, Scrum and Agile.
• Excellent stakeholder management, both internal and external, with superb communication skills.
• Experience managing contracts for and interfacing with a government customer.
• Strong leadership and team coordination capabilities.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira).
• Experience in shaping and delivering costed proposals for new business, either as growth on an existing contract or through the Business Development function for new business opportunities.
• Formal certification in project management (e.g., APM PMQ, PRINCE2, AgilePM).
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour, demonstrating and promoting Ultra’s values.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of complex, multidisciplinary engineering programmes across the full project lifecycle, from bid and concept development through delivery and close-out.
• Provide strong project leadership and direction, establishing clear governance structures and successfully managing projects through defined lifecycle and assurance gates.
• Develop, maintain, and control detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets, ensuring delivery in line with agreed scope, cost, and timescale commitments.
• Direct and coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality assurance, procurement, and external partners, to achieve project objectives.
• Partner closely with the Engineering Project Lead to ensure rigorous adherence to systems engineering processes, technical governance, and design assurance.
• Proactively manage project risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies, implementing effective mitigation strategies and ensuring timely escalation where required.
• Provide clear, concise, and accurate project reporting, communicating status, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Ensure full compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, security standards, and quality frameworks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery methodologies, tools, and governance, embedding lessons learned and best practice.
• Lead, manage, and coach a team of project managers to deliver the scope of complex engineering design, development and qualification programmes.

Skills

Programme management

Defence experience

Budget forecasting

Stakeholder management

PM tools

Governance & risk

Contract management

Leadership

Security clearance

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree

PM certification (APM PMQ/PRINCE2/AgilePM)

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Job description

Ultra Intelligence & Communications in Maidenhead seeks an accomplished Programme Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of a complex, multidisciplinary engineering programme. The role drives successful outcomes across the full project lifecycle—from bid development and concept definition through delivery, acceptance, and close-out.

The ideal candidate will have defence or closely-related engineering programme experience, with a proven track record of managing large-scale, technically demanding