Operations Assurance Lead

Thales; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Half day Friday

Bonus

Annual leave 28 days

Volunteer days

Private healthcare

Pension

Life cover

EAP & wellbeing

Employee discounts

Gym discounts

Job summary

Thales in Reading, United Kingdom, is seeking an Operations Assurance Lead - Air Sector to shape and strengthen operations assurance across a complex, high‑profile environment. You will provide independent oversight of programme delivery, working with senior stakeholders across the Air Sector, Operations Leadership Team, and Operations Assurance to drive performance and mitigate risk.

The role offers visibility across engineering, finance, and commercial functions, with a focus on continuous

Qualifications

• Experience across Programme Management, Engineering and Industry.
• Strong understanding of the full business lifecycle, from bid through to programme delivery.
• Proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels across a matrix organisation.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering results in complex, cross-functional roles.
• Strong commercial and business awareness, with the ability to identify risk and drive performance improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent assurance of programme delivery, ensuring performance against cost, schedule, and risk expectations.
• Accountability for the management of operational site activities within OME footprint at Green Park.
• Lead independent Air portfolio review and support governance processes across bids and programme execution.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and Operations Assurance peers to identify risks, improve performance, and strengthen operational delivery.
• Ensure that issues related to the operations Delivery Engine are resolved/escalated in support of delivery for customers.
• Ensure that the impact of issues is fully understood resulting in effective prioritisation.
• Implement leading/lagging indicators of Programme health to ensure earlier intervention on issues.
• Flag changes appropriately for review to ensure full understanding of the Operational impact.
• Ensure full breadth of Operations capacity/capability is considered during Bids.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Commercial awareness

Performance improvement

Job description

Location: Reading, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

This is a leadership opportunity to shape and strengthen operations assurance across a complex and high‑profile business environment. As Operations Assurance Lead - Air Sector, you will provide independent oversight and assurance that programmes are delivered to cost and schedule. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the Air Sector, Operations Leadership Team, and the Operations Assurance team, this role plays a critical part in driving performance, identifying risks early, and ensuring successful programme execution across the full business lifecycle.

We enable forces to gather timely, meaningful information so they can make thoughtful, decisive choices that safeguard communities. For more than 130 years, we've championed the development of Optronics for military, scientific and commercial applications. Our expertise covers three sectors: Air, Land and Sea.

What this role has to offer:

• A high‑impact leadership role influencing programme delivery and operational performance
• Visibility and engagement with senior stakeholders across operations, engineering, finance, and commercial functions
• A strategic role with the ability to drive continuous improvement and best practice across the organisation
• A broad role covering all aspect of the business life cycle.

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide independent assurance of programme delivery, ensuring performance against cost, schedule, and risk expectations
• Accountability for the management of operational site activities within OME foot print at Green Park
• Lead independent Air portfolio review and support governance processes across bids and programme execution
• Collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders and Operations Assurance peers to identify risks, improve performance, and strengthen operational delivery
• Ensures that issues related to the operations "Delivery Engine" are resolved /escalated in support of delivery for customers.
• Ensure that the impact of issues is fully understood resulting in effective prioritisation.
• Implement leading/lagging indicators of Programme health to ensure earlier intervention on issues.
• Flag changes appropriately for review to ensure full understanding of the Operational impact.
• Ensure full breadth of Operations capacity/capability is considered during Bids.

Ideal Experience & Skills:

• Experience working across Programme Management, Engineering and Industry
• Strong understanding of the full business lifecycle, from bid through to programme delivery
• Proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels across a matrix organisation
• Demonstrated track record of delivering results in complex, cross‑functional roles
• Strong commercial and business awareness, with the ability to identify risk and drive performance improvement initiatives

Benefits:

• Performance‑related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non‑ITAR country may be considered.

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 in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance:

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

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.