Head of Planning

Babcock International; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Head of Planning to lead Integrated Business Planning processes. Located in Bristol with hybrid working arrangements, the role requires extensive experience in operational planning and proven leadership in IBP processes. You will influence stakeholders to align activities with business goals. The candidate must achieve security clearance and have relevant qualifications in Business or Engineering. Excellent benefits and development opportunities available.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to a Digital GP and health check

Employee share scheme

Payment of Professional Fees

'Be Kind Day' for volunteering

Excellent development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in operational or business planning within Defence or similar industries.
• Proven leadership in implementing IBP processes.
• Deep understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of operational planning strategies across Mission Systems.
• Influence senior stakeholders to align planning activities with business goals.
• Oversee planning from bid through to delivery.

Skills

Operational or business planning experience

Leadership in IBP processes

Product lifecycle management

Analytical and strategic thinking skills

Project management expertise

Education

Relevant education in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain

Professional certifications in IBP, supply chain, or project management

Job description

Job Title: Head of Planning

Location: Ashton Vale, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF 70230

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Head of Planning at our Ashton Vale, Bristol site.

The Role

As our Head of Planning, you’ll lead the development and maturity of Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes across Mission Systems. This is a senior leadership role at the intersection of strategy and execution, ensuring planning decisions support long-term business objectives, optimise resources, and deliver value across the end-to-end product lifecycle. Your work will directly impact national security and help shape the future of defence and aerospace.

Day-to-day, you’ll be required to:

• Lead the development and execution of operational planning strategies across Mission Systems.
• Influence senior stakeholders to align planning activities with business goals and customer expectations.
• Oversee planning across the full product lifecycle, from bid through to delivery.
• Integrate lifecycle planning with portfolio management to support investment decisions.
• Establish and lead a mature IBP process that integrates strategic, operational, and financial planning.

This role is full time, 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days onsite and days working from home.

Essential experience of the Head of Planning

• Extensive experience in operational or business planning within Defence or similar industries.
• Proven leadership in implementing and maturing IBP processes.
• Deep understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle management and portfolio planning.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Expertise in project management, financial modelling, and risk mitigation.

Qualifications for the Head of Planning

• Relevant further education qualification (or equivalent level of proven work experience) in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Professional certifications in IBP, supply chain, or project management (e.g., APICS, IBF, PMP).

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What We Offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing Date: 18/12/2025

#MISYS