Programme Manager - MSET Software & Cyber

Thales; Crawley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology and defence company is seeking a Software & Cyber Programme Manager to lead the delivery of key projects within their Under Water Systems division. This role requires exceptional project management skills, strong leadership, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder networks. The position offers a competitive salary, a performance-related bonus, and a hybrid working model, providing flexibility to suit individual lifestyles.

Benefits

Performance Related Bonus

Half day every Friday

Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Life Cover

24/7 Employee Assistance Program

Employee discount shopping schemes

Gym membership discounts

Career Development

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering software and/or cyber agile projects.
• Experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong project financial and contractual management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a major strategically significant element of the MSET Programme.
• Manage relationships with internal and external key stakeholders.
• Ensure integrity of project governance and risk management.

Skills

Software project management

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Agile methodologies

Team leadership

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom. Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems. Thales UK offers opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. We research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. We strive to support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle, including part time hours, job sharing, home working, or flexible start and finish times where possible.

Software & Cyber Programme Manager

Based in Cheadle, Templecombe, Bristol or Crawley – Hybrid working 3 days in the office weekly

What the role has to offer

• Drive continuous improvement in ways of working to increase growth
• Opportunity to see innovative world-leading solutions from inception to delivery
• Be involved in a department with significant business growth plans

What we offer you

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes:

• Performance Related Bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
• Life Cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to a mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• Career Development

Our Opportunity

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Programme Manager to join Thales (UWS) Under Water Systems, who provide Sonar, Visual Systems and Electronic Warfare Support solutions for the Royal Navy, through the Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team.

You will be responsible for the successful delivery of a major strategically significant element of the MSET Programme and will be the overall person in charge for all aspects of delivery, responsible for achieving project objectives to the satisfaction of both the customer and Thales.

The role requires strong leadership, professional project management expertise, excellent stakeholder management, team-building skills, and a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks and opportunities.

You will deliver availability to the Royal Navy fleet of vessels on the major MSET programme, managing relationships with internal and external key stakeholders. You will also have accountability for key operational and financial indicators (such as Quality, Cost, Delivery, gross margin, cash).

The successful individual will ensure the integrity of project governance and information, robust business planning and risk management. You will ensure lessons learned are applied to all projects, entailing the application of lessons from other projects and capturing lessons learned.

Key business outcomes

• Lead the mobilisation and development of a new strategic service offering for Thales UK to Full Operating Capability
• Lead the development, coordination and sponsorship of people, process, tooling, data and governance changes to cement a resilient operating model
• Lead customer engagement and performance management for a large value programme
• Coordinate a cohesive and efficient One Thales service delivery spanning 5 geographic locations, 3 business units, multiple functions and a complex stakeholder network (DE&S, SDA, Royal Navy, BAES)

About you

• A proven track record of delivering successful software and/or cyber agile projects and/or a portfolio of projects in a context relevant to Thales
• Leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams
• Managing customer and supplier relationships
• Leading the process of structuring and planning complex projects and tailored deployment of best practice project controls
• Directing project activities with reference to the baseline and critical path, with a focus on proactive risk and opportunity management and controlling variance to time/cost/quality
• Project financial and contractual management
• Working across functional boundaries to achieve alignment and support for project objectives
• Demand/business planning principles in a project context with forecast of resource requirements (including critical skills) and coordinating with adjacent functions
• Representing projects through established governance, providing evidence-based progress updates and identifying risks/opportunities for Senior Management
• Experience with coaching junior Project Managers
• Experience working in a complex, multi-site organisation

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the work, many roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held; if not, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UK Secure Vetting guidance for more information.

National Security Vetting clearance levels: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

#LI-ST1

In line with Thales baselines, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history for up to three years. Some roles may require full Security Clearance. For details on required evidence, refer to the Defence Vetting Agency guidance.

Thales UK is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment. We will provide reasonable adjustments to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can participate fully. To request an adjustment or for questions about the recruitment process, contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate roles.

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