Programme Lead

NET Recruit; Basingstoke and Deane; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

NET Recruit supports an established organisation in the defence sector seeking an experienced Programme Lead to own a portfolio of multidisciplinary design schemes and act as a primary contact for clients and framework partners. The role demands strong programme and design management, commercial awareness, and the ability to operate independently in a demanding client environment.

You will lead design programmes across RIBA Stages 0-6 and coordinate architecture, structural and MEP inputs, while

Qualifications

• Experience leading design-led projects across multiple RIBA stages and defence sectors.
• Strong understanding of building pathology and construction technology.
• Ability to scope projects and translate client requirements into deliverables.
• Excellent client and stakeholder management, with account-lead capability.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key contact for clients and framework partners across the defence design account.
• Lead client meetings, progress updates and design discussions.
• Prepare commercially robust fee proposals based on defined scope.
• Maintain commercial oversight, ensuring work is scoped, priced and monitored.
• Chair design team meetings and monitor actions through to completion.
• Provide reporting on programme progress, risks and delivery status.

Skills

Programme management

Design management

Client relationship leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Risk management

Independent decision-making

Education

MRICS

CIOB

Progress towards professional qualification

Tools

NEC contracts

ISO 19650

BIM processes

Common Data Environments

TIDPs

Job description

Your Company:

Our client is an established organisation operating within the built environment, supporting a growing portfolio of design-led projects across the defence sector. Due to continued growth, they are seeking an experienced Programme Lead to take ownership of a portfolio of multidisciplinary design schemes and act as a key point of contact for clients and framework partners.
This is a hands‑on role suited to someone with strong programme and design management experience, commercial awareness and the confidence to operate independently within a demanding client environment.

Your Role and Responsibilities:

While in this position your duties may include but may not be limited to:

• Act as a key point of contact for clients and framework partners across the defence design account.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key client stakeholders.
• Lead client meetings, progress updates and design discussions.
• Manage client requirements and issues, providing effective solutions where possible.
• Take ownership of new enquiries and translate requirements into clear, deliverable scopes.
• Identify assumptions, dependencies, risks and gaps before commercial commitments are made.
• Assess opportunities against organisational capability and provide recommendations on whether work should proceed.
• Advise clients and project teams on statutory approvals, planning and Building Safety requirements.
• Prepare commercially robust fee proposals based on clearly defined scope and realistic resource requirements.
• Maintain commercial oversight, ensuring work is appropriately scoped, priced and monitored.
• Lead design programmes across RIBA Stages 0-6, establishing clear milestones and deliverables.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design inputs across architecture, structural and MEP disciplines.
• Chair design team meetings, monitor actions and ensure matters are followed through to completion.
• Maintain project momentum and identify and resolve coordination issues at an early stage.
• Provide technical oversight to challenge scope, identify risks and ensure design outputs are fit for purpose.
• Apply knowledge of building pathology and construction technology when developing scopes and reviewing design solutions.
• Maintain clarity around design responsibilities, interfaces and scope boundaries.
• Oversee design information planning in line with ISO 19650 principles.
• Manage information requirements, including TIDPs, deliverables and document control.
• Ensure effective use of Common Data Environments and information management processes.
• Provide clear reporting on programme progress, financial performance, risks and delivery status.
• Maintain accurate forecasting across multiple concurrent schemes and identify commercial issues early.
• Establish consistent processes for managing defence enquiries and live design projects.
• Support the continued growth of the account through effective programme management and strong client relationships.

What You Will Need to Apply:

• Strong experience in programme, project or design management within the built environment.
• Proven experience managing design-led projects across multiple RIBA stages.
• Strong knowledge of building pathology and construction technology.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams.
• Proven ability to scope projects and translate client requirements into deliverable outputs.
• Experience preparing fee proposals and commercially scoped project work.
• Strong client and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to act as an account lead.
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of project financial management.
• Strong programme management, reporting and organisational skills.
• Ability to operate independently and make sound decisions in a demanding project environment.
• Excellent communication skills and the credibility to engage with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Defence, MOD or secure-environment experience would be advantageous.
• Experience working with framework contractors or within public sector delivery would be beneficial.
• Understanding of statutory approvals, planning and Building Safety requirements would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with ISO 19650, BIM processes and TIDPs would be beneficial.
• Experience with NEC or similar contract structures would be advantageous.
• MRICS, CIOB or progression towards a relevant professional qualification would be beneficial.
• Existing SC security clearance, or eligibility to obtain clearance, would be advantageous.

What You Will Get in Return:

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a growing defence design account and play a key role in developing a structured and consistent approach to managing new enquiries and live schemes.
You will have significant responsibility across client relationships, project scope, fee proposals, programme delivery, multidisciplinary coordination and commercial performance, providing broad exposure across the design management lifecycle.
The role offers a salary of up to £85,000, alongside the opportunity to work closely with clients and framework partners within the defence sector and contribute to the continued growth and resilience of the account.
For an experienced programme, project or design manager looking to take greater ownership of client accounts and strategic design delivery, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution across a varied portfolio of defence projects.