Interim Project Director - Defence

INNOVA SEARCH; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK engineering specialist is seeking a Programme Director to oversee major defence projects, ensuring quality, cost, and delivery targets are met. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in leading complex engineered projects and stakeholder management. The role requires UK Security Clearance upon offer acceptance and involves site-based work from Monday to Thursday, with work-from-home options on Fridays.

Qualifications

• Proven Programme Director experience in leading engineered projects.
• Experience in stakeholder management and senior-level customer communications.
• Ability to implement change management successfully.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the programme meeting quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Manage P&L for Defence projects.
• Act as a liaison with the major defence contractor.

Skills

Change management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

P&L management

Job description

Overview

Innova Search are proudly representing a UK engineering specialist who supply bespoke engineered products and solutions to some of the largest defence and manufacturing companies globally. The company have been operating for over 80 years and has over 1000 colleagues worldwide.

Over the past 30 years, the business has tendered and successfully won large-scale, multi-year manufacturing contracts across the defence sector, due to this, the company is going through sustained growth and offers an excellent career opportunity to help drive this organic growth even further.

Purpose of the Role

To oversee the programme for major defence customers, managing quality, cost, delivery, risk and opportunities. Act as the primary contact to the major contractor for all project-related matters.

This will be an all-encompassing role with direct responsibility for the Defence and Operational Team. You will heavily interact with the rest of the internal organisation, utilising support across various teams (Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain and Finance)

Responsibilities

• Successfully deliver the programme within quality, cost and delivery requirements
• To have full responsibility over the P&L for the Defence projects
• Manage risk and opportunities within the project
• Act as a direct liaison to the major defence contractor (customer)
• Demonstrate a clear leadership style and lead a team of varying skill sets and capabilities
• Coordinate and lead programme updates and communications
• Interact and influence stakeholders within the wider team to offer support for the Programme
• Implement best in class visual management and project reporting
• To work collaboratively within a matrix style organisation ensuring cohesion and support across the business

Job Requirements

• A proven Programme Director with experience of leading complicated engineered projects within a matrix management environment
• Ability to successfully implement and sustain change management
• Resilient and able motivate team through challenging new product introduction
• Experienced in senior level customer communications and stakeholder management
• Ability to operate at a high level whilst also being able to deep dive into detail
• The ability to develop and implement business plans and resource strategies
• Budgetary ownership experience

Competencies/Behaviours

• Excellent Leadership skills and a genuine proven track record in Change Management Programs
• Proven techniques evidencing a truly inspirational approach in the management of people
• Demonstrated career development in leadership, as well as experience of leading large teams to achieve incredible results

Additional Information

• Due to the nature of the projects undertaken within the company, you must obtain UK Security Clearance upon offer acceptance
• Site based (Monday - Thursday), WFH Friday
• Assignment Duration: 4-6 months

If you feel you meet the requirements for this role, please click apply now.