Programme Lead

Rolls-Royce Corporation; West of England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rolls-Royce Defence Bristol is seeking a Programme Lead for Early Lifecycle to support the Integrated Project Team Lead in delivering engineering and technology work packages. You will collaborate with design, manufacturing and partners to meet key milestones and drive the Defence Combat strategy.

The role requires leading governance, planning and reporting across packages, and ensuring compliance with project management processes.

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex defence/engineering projects.
• Strong ability to coordinate across international stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Be a prime interface with the customer and international partners on the GCAP International Programme, applying PM principles and governance.
• Accountable for on-time, on-cost delivery for a defined package of work.
• Establish and maintain essential project documentation.
• Act as focal point for all aspects of the work packages.
• Provide information to support management decisions.
• Create and manage integrated plans and schedules.
• Organise and chair schedule reviews and report to executives.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Project governance

Communication

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Description Programme Lead – Early Lifecycle Full Time Bristol SNBG 7 - 10

Why join Rolls-Royce? At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture. An exciting opportunity for a Programme Lead, has arisen within our Defence Business in Bristol. As a Programme Lead in our Bristol Early Lifecycle team you would be supporting the Integrated Project Team Lead with the delivery of engineering and technology work packages. You would be working closely with the engineering design team and the manufacturing supply chain to deliver the key programme milestones thus enabling the delivery of our Defence Combat strategy. The Early Lifecycle team is at the heart of securing the future growth of the Defence business. We are delivering tomorrows technology fast, by bringing together the company’s best engineers, programme managers and business professionals. Working in partnership with Governments, primes and new technology companies across the globe, we deliver future solutions, new and innovative power and propulsion concepts, technology, and applications to meet the customers emerging requirements.

What you will be doing

• Be a prime interface with our customer and international partners on the GCAP International Programme, ensuring thorough application of PM principles and governance.
• Accountable for the successful delivery to cost, specification and time for a defined package of work.
• Establish, develop and maintain the documentation necessary to deliver the package of work.
• Act as the focal point for all aspects related to the packages of work.
• Provide information necessary to make management decisions.
• Ensure the creation and management of an integrated set of plans / schedules.
• Organise and chair schedule review meetings and provide reports where executive decisions need to be made.
• Provision of basic guidance to others regarding the Project Management processes and the operation of the project management systems / tools / methods.
• Programme Management Team (Governance) Review and report the status of projects in accordance with the project plan and agreed with the Programme Manager.
• Assist the Project Manager in the development of project management documents such as project budgets, project schedules, scope statements and project plans.
• Manage and report variances to project baseline and report programme Key Performance Indicators.
• Review programme data. Identify and report trends, highlight anomalies and corrective action if performance is outside specification.
• Accurate reporting to relevant stakeholders in accordance with the defined timescales.

Who we’re looking for

Being a part of Rolls-Royce you’ll know we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference with and in everything we do. These principles form our values and behaviours and are an essential component of our assessment process and are fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles. Network across Stakeholders and develop key relationships which is critical for this role. Display excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to easily build rapport within all levels of an organisation. Demonstrate initiative and self-motivation. Indicate a good level of knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office tools.

Regional Benefits

Work in a safety-first environment were doing the right thing and keeping it simple are core principles. Join a culture that values making a real difference through your work. Develop your career as a mid‑career professional blending technical expertise with strong personal qualities. Thrive in a role that encourages integrity, accountability, resilience, and curiosity. Collaborate and build relationships in a team‑focused environment while also working independently. Take initiative, lead, and make smart decisions with confidence and support. Grow through continuous learning, openness to improvement, and exposure to challenging opportunities.

To work for the Rolls‑Royce Defence business, an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls‑Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MOD and Government body approved cases, a dual national. Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and the salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi‑year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls‑Royce into a high‑performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too. Rolls‑Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Grade: SNBG 7 - 10

For further information please contact: Lizzie Moore - [e-mail]

Job Category Project Management Posting Date 07 Oct 2026; 00:10 Posting End Date 13 Oct 2026

Rolls‑Royce pioneers cutting‑edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to our planet’s vital power needs.