Program Manager

Saab UK; Fareham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence company is seeking a Project Manager within its Saab Seaeye unit in Fareham. This role involves delivering complex programmes that meet quality, time, and cost requirements while building strong internal and external relationships. Candidates should possess at least 5 years of programme or project management experience and hold a professional Project Management qualification. The ideal applicant is expected to lead a cross-functional delivery team and drive best practices in project management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of Programme or Project Management experience.
• Professional Project Management Qualification, preferably Prince 2.
• Experience delivering technically complex projects in defence-related subsea sectors.

Responsibilities

• Deliver assigned Saab Seaeye programmes meeting cost, schedule, and quality.
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to project delivery processes and risk management.
• Support the development of best-practice project management methodologies.

Skills

Programme or Project Management experience

Professional Project Management Qualification (e.g., Prince 2)

Experience in subsea industry

Ability to inspire confidence in senior stakeholders

Job description

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world‑leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 500 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI and armed forces training.

The Role

This role is part of our Saab Seaeye business unit in Fareham. It is responsible for delivering assigned programmes to the requirements of cost, time and quality and for ensuring that Saab Seaeye is recognised as a Project and Programme Management Centre of Excellence within Saab UK and the wider Saab business.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the delivery of assigned Saab Seaeye programmes meeting cost, schedule and quality requirements.
• Deliver programmes to customer contractual requirements.
• Deliver benefits in line with programme business case.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Report project status to internal and external stakeholders including customers and project boards.
• Ensure adherence to the applicable Saab Project delivery processes.
• Ensure adherence to appropriate risk‑management and financial control tools during programme execution.
• Lead, manage and guide a cross‑functional programme delivery team.
• Take a leading role in the Saab UK and Saab Group Project Management community.
• Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of best‑practice programme and project management methodologies.
• Be a recognised leader by being accountable, holding others accountable and driving delivery.
• Enable a collaborative culture by encouraging communication and teamwork.
• Support the Saab Seaeye organisation in developing new business opportunities.
• Proactively ensure alignment with other Programme Managers across the Saab organisation as appropriate.
• Supervise all reporting staff to effectively train, evaluate, motivate, delegate and monitor their activities to meet required deadlines.
• Assess, identify and monitor staff skills and training requirements to avoid exposure and skill shortages to the business.
• Assess and monitor workloads, efficiency, holiday and effectively manage staff resource levels and report potential shortfalls.
• Ensure staff time‑management is effectively managed in line with company time and attendance procedures.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of Programme or Project Management experience.
• Professional Project Management Qualification (e.g. Prince 2).
• Experience of delivering technically complex projects in the subsea industry, ideally related to the Defence sector.
• The ability to deal with and inspire confidence in multiple senior stakeholders both internally and externally.

Application Information

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include, but are not limited to: baseline personnel security checks, national security vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and, in all circumstances, preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.