Head of ICS

Leonardo; Southampton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Online courses access via Coursera/LL

Flexible working

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking a Head of IC to lead multiple programme teams delivering integrated communication systems across airborne and maritime domains. The role is based in Southampton with a hybrid working model and leadership of a capable IC Leadership Team.

You will drive the IC strategy, govern lifecycle management and ensure successful delivery, working with senior stakeholders and ensuring security clearances as required.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop and execute business area strategies.
• Strong grasp of financial metrics, market dynamics and organisational goals.
• Experience delivering high-profile defence or security delivery programmes.
• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams across complex lifecycles.
• Ability to manage senior level stakeholders and external partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Eligibility for UK SC Clearance and UK citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Defines and implements strategy and standards for the Business Area.
• Delivers and promotes the Business Area Strategy and objectives.
• Leads IC portfolio delivery across product and capability lifecycles.
• Establishes OBS for IC delivery and growth within the sector.
• Manages dependencies, risks and resource prioritisation across programmes.
• Builds and sustains internal/external stakeholder relationships.
• Direct line management of delivery-focused teams.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Commercial acumen

Defence programme delivery

Business strategy execution

Customer relationship management

Public sector/government security

Education

APM Project Management Qualification or equivalent

Job description

Job Description:

_ Your Impact: _

Head of IC (Integrated Communication Systems)

A Head of IC is required within the CEMA & IC Sector to lead multiple programme teams that specialise in the integration of complex communication systems across the Airborne and Maritime domains.

The Head of IC will be responsible for delivering the IC strategy and growing the IBP supported by a highly capable and driven IC Leadership Team, that will include multi-discipline programme and campaign teams. The role will be primarily based out of Southampton, adopting the Leonardo Ways of Working practice that includes a proportion of home and flexible working.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Defines and implements the strategy and standards for the Business Area working closely with the Capability/CTO function and portfolio managers
• Deliver and promote the Business Area Strategy and objectives
• Manages the Business Area execution and control activities against the strategy, contributing to the development of the strategy for the Sector, LoB and division
• Leadership of the IC portfolio across all aspects of the lifecycle for products and capabilities.
• Responsible for establishing campaign and delivery organisational breakdown structures (OBS) within the IC Business Area underpinning business area execution and growth within the CEMA & IC Sector, ensuring each role is well defined and addressable
• Anticipate, mitigate and manage Business Area dependencies, risks and synergies in support of increased business performance through the prioritisation and balance of resources.
• Establish, build and influence internal and external stakeholders, using business management skills that foster collaborative strategic partnerships and frameworks underpinning our strategy and future growth
• Encourage positive relationships, develop effective team working, empower and inspire individuals
• Direct line management of team who will be responsible for programme delivery and execution.
• Internally reporting directly to the Vice President CEMA & IC
• Representing the Business Area at Sector, Line of Business & Divisional Level reviews
• Ensure adherence to Company’s Lifecycle Management (LCM), as appropriate and tailored to suit

_ What You’ll Bring: _

• Proven success in developing, implementing and executing strategies for business outcomes
• Strong commercial and business acumen with the ability to understand financial metrics, market dynamics and organisational objectives
• Experience of managing high-profile, defence or security, high-intensity delivery programmes
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplined functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to operate with multiple senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated strong Customer relationship skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• APM Project Management Qualification or equivalent
• UK citizen
• Eligibility for UK SC Clearance

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you’re looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).

• Rewarding Performance : All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.

• Never Stop Learning : Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

• Tailored Perks : Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location:

GB - Southampton

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid