Programme Director - Defence

TURNER & TOWNSEND; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in project management is looking for a talented Programme Director to join their Defence business in Bristol. The role involves overseeing project execution, managing client relationships, and leading cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in project management and hold a relevant degree. The company promotes a hybrid working model and values work-life balance.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Inclusive work environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to manage and direct cross-functional teams effectively.
• Proven ability to perform in a senior management role.
• Strong background in Defence, Nuclear, or Transportation projects.

Responsibilities

• Act as the representative with clients and subcontractors.
• Oversee establishment of key project documents.
• Develop and monitor budgets and schedules for programmes.

Skills

Leadership skills

Project management experience

Cross-functional team management

Systems thinking

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management

Senior Accreditation (ICE, APM, RICS)

Tools

NEC / FIDIC experience

Job description

Overview

Turner & Townsend is looking for a talented Programme Director to join our Defence business. We provide professional services to deliver programme outcomes on behalf of our Defence clients. The Defence Infrastructure Cost Centre supports projects ranging in complexity and size, delivering infrastructure across the full project lifecycle pre-contract and post-contract. We work with major global clients in over 110 offices worldwide, with services spanning Programme and Project Management, Project Planning, Cost Engineering, Risk Management, and Commercial Disciplines. We are expanding the team due to client requirements and seek talented individuals to support our Defence portfolio on a range of complex commissions while developing their careers.

Important: Before applying, due to the sensitive nature of these projects, you must be a SOLE UK National who is able to achieve and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (SC). See Security Clearance Section.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Acts as the Turner & Townsend representative with the client and selected subcontractors during the programme execution. Negotiates changes to the scope of work with the client and key subcontractors. Collaborates with Business Development to market and secure additional work with client. Responsible for following up on instructions and commitments associated with the programme. Participates in regulatory conversations and in public meetings in support of clients.
• Oversees establishment of the Project Execution Plan, Health and Safety Plan, Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan, and other documents as required.
• Establishes the delivery requirements for all areas of the programme, and monitors the draft and final deliverables for adherence to these criteria. Develops and distributes a one to two-page description of the programme to all project team members to act as the Programme Brief.
• Plans, directs, supervises, and controls the execution of all business, technical, fiscal, and administrative functions of the assigned programme. Assigns responsibility for executing project plans to key subordinates after assessing qualifications and strengths. Provides input to performance reviews and development plans for subordinates. Field responsibilities may include labour relations, local procurement and payroll operations, etc., if required.
• Mobilises resources through liaison with capability leads, other offices, or subsidiaries to create project teams capable of completing quality work. Discusses qualifications required for key programme/project positions with capability leads and National Service Leads. Collaborates with the programme enterprise to address programme/project space requirements.
• Works with other managers, project engineers, and discipline leads to develop budgets, schedules, and plans for the various elements of a programme. Ensures the programme meets or exceeds goals established in the project plans.
• Works with the key project individual to devise and execute actions plans to rectify potential cost overruns or delays, or to accommodate significant changes to the scope of work. Advises the client and company management of changes. Responsible for maintaining current and timely change orders.
• Promotes technical and commercial excellence on the programme through application of Quality Assurance processes. Monitors and reports to management on the progress of all project activity within the programme, including significant milestones and any conditions affecting cost or schedule. Establishes weekly meetings to review project status and formulate programme action items.
• Performs other responsibilities associated with this position as may be appropriate.

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Highly commended leadership skills and proven ability to operate at Programme ExecLevel, with values and behaviours at the core of your approach.
• Broad general technical and business background, with previous project management experience on large-scale programme/project types.
• Able to manage and direct cross-functional teams with credible pan-domain and pan-discipline expertise.
• Ability to apply systems thinking to complex multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proven ability to perform in a senior management capacity, with excellent written and oral communications skills, and a thorough knowledge of industry practices and regulations.
• Keen to apply current innovation effectively on programmes/projects.

Qualifications

• Senior Accreditation of competency to a professional body, such as ICE, APM, RICS, etc. (strongly desired).
• Strong infrastructure background in Defence, Nuclear, Transportation or Utilities (highly desirable).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management or related technical/business field and significant competence spanning all stages of programme life-cycle.
• NEC / FIDIC commercial experience (strongly desired).

Security Clearance

Important: Before applying, due to the sensitive nature of these projects, you must be a SOLE UK National who is able to achieve and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (SC).

Many of the clients and projects we support are subject to MoD security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Working in Teams/Office & Site Attendance

Turner & Townsend recognises the importance of helping its employees harmonise their work and home life by offering hybrid working. The company requires you to be on client sites or Turner & Townsend offices approximately 60% of your time, which may include travel. This may flex depending on client and business requirements. The office is not the only place work gets done, but it is increasingly important for teams to be stronger together by learning, collaborating, and creating great work together.

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change. We want our people to succeed both in work and life, promoting a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com

SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

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Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.