Programme Controls Manager

Leonardo UK Ltd; Easter Howgate; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defence company in the UK is seeking a Project Controls Manager to drive excellence in project controls capability. The successful candidate will oversee planning, cost, risk, and data management across complex programmes while leading a team to ensure high-performance standards. Essential requirements include strong technical skills in Primavera P6 and experience in stakeholder engagement. This role offers hybrid working and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous leave and flexi-days

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Free mental health support

Access to 4,000+ online courses

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in project controls leadership within complex, multi-sector or large-scale environments.
• Strong technical proficiency in Primavera P6, SAP, or associated project controls tools.
• Proven track record in planning accuracy, performance forecasting, and data-driven decision support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the consistent implementation of project controls frameworks across all projects and sectors.
• Oversee cost, schedule, and risk integration for a holistic view of performance.
• Champion data quality, governance, and analytics within all project controls activities.

Skills

Project controls leadership

Technical proficiency in Primavera P6

Data-driven decision support

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Coaching and mentoring

Education

Degree in engineering, project management, or related discipline

Professional accreditation (APM, PMI, or equivalent)

Tools

Primavera P6

SAP

Job description

Job Description

The Project Controls Manager will help to lead the planning, cost, risk, and data management functions across a portfolio of complex, cross-sector programmes. The role will be accountable for ensuring planning accuracy, consistency of approach, and the effective use of data analytics to enhance visibility, performance, and delivery confidence.

This position plays a key part in driving excellence in project controls capability — combining technical expertise with strong leadership, coaching, and stakeholder engagement to build high-performing, insight-driven teams.

Project Controls Leadership

• Lead the consistent implementation of project controls frameworks, tools, and reporting standards across all projects and sectors.
• Promote planning accuracy and integrity, ensuring project baselines and forecasts are robust, realistic, and data-backed.
• Oversee cost, schedule, and risk integration to provide a clear and holistic view of performance at both project and portfolio levels.

Planning and Scheduling (Primavera P6)

• Ensure the creation and maintenance of detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 and related applications.
• Drive consistency of planning approach across projects, ensuring alignment with business standards and reporting cycles.
• Promote the use of accurate, data-led planning to underpin credible forecasts and risk-adjusted delivery plans.
• Champion the power of good planning — showing how accurate schedules and analytics drive informed decisions and improved outcomes.

Data and Systems Management

• Champion data quality, governance, and analytics within all project controls activities.
• Help to lead the integration of SAP and P6 data to support automated performance dashboards, trend analysis, and executive reporting.
• Help to develop and deliver meaningful analytics and insights that influence decision-making and resource prioritisation.
• Champion the value of data and analytics initiatives in shaping strategic and operational decisions across functions.

Risk and Change Management

• Maintain and embed robust risk and change management practices that support proactive control and accountability.
• Provide early warning through trend and variance analysis, enabling timely interventions to safeguard performance.

Leadership, Coaching, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and inspire a team of project controllers, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence and continuous learning.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to develop capability, confidence, and consistency within the project controls and project management community.
• Engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, demonstrating the benefits of integrated planning and analytics in driving project success.
• Promote cross‑sector collaboration and the sharing of best practice to enhance organisational maturity in project controls.

What you’ll bring

• Extensive experience in project controls leadership within complex, multi‑sector or large‑scale environments.
• Strong technical proficiency in Primavera P6, SAP, or associated project controls tools.
• Proven track record in planning accuracy, performance forecasting, and data‑driven decision support.
• Skilled in risk management, change control, earned value, and performance analysis.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders.
• Experience in coaching, mentoring, and developing teams to achieve consistency and excellence.
• Degree in engineering, project management, or a related discipline; professional accreditation (APM, PMI, or equivalent) preferred.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical capability and delivery focus.
• Passionate about data quality and the use of analytics to drive project performance.
• Inspires confidence and collaboration through leadership and clear communication.
• Advocates for best practice, continuous improvement, and cross‑sector alignment.

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.

Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.

Tailored Perks

Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Locations

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh

Additional Locations: GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol - Others, GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300, GB - Southampton

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid