Programme Lead (Commercial Defence)

GBR Recruitment Limited; Quarrington; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GBR Recruitment Ltd are partnering with a Lincolnshire based Commercial Defence business to appoint an experienced Programme Lead for EW/Radar software and hardware programmes. You will head up major programmes and drive delivery, governance and cross‑functional collaboration across PMO/PSO functions.

The role requires senior leadership, strategic delivery across regulated defence contexts, and proven ability to align with military customers and internal business expectations.

Qualifications

• PMO/PSO setup experience in regulated environments.
• Strong governance and delivery frameworks knowledge.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the project management team and wider support staff.
• Set up, implement and manage a Project Support Office (PSO) with defined structure and ways of working.
• Develop and maintain programme governance frameworks, policies, controls and PM toolsets.
• Define programme scope, objectives, deliverables and priorities with key stakeholders/SMT.
• Create and maintain programme roadmaps, schedules and resource plans for delivery.
• Provide programme oversight across the business: scope, schedules, budgets and strategic objectives.
• Escalate and remedy issues to deliver OTIF across projects and programmes.
• Identify and manage risks and opportunities throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders for alignment and communication.
• Put in place KPIs/MI reporting and provide regular updates to directors.

Skills

Programme leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Communication skills

Education

APM PMQ

ChPP

Tools

MSP

Job description

GBR Recruitment Ltd are working in exclusive partnership with a Lincolnshire based Commercial Defence business, recruiting for an experienced Programme Lead to join their senior leadership team to lead & deliver their Electronic Warfare / Radar software & hardware programmes.

Heading up major programmes, projects, bids & contracts across commercial defence.

This is a strategic commercial defence programme leader role, responsible for ensuring successful & affective EW / Radar hardware & software services project delivery that aligns perfectly with the business objectives, supports continued growth & drives excellence in project management across the organisation.

The successful candidate will provide commercial defence programme & project leadership, governance & direction to the wider project management function, ensuring complexed programmes are delivered to a high-quality standard & are fully in line with both military customers & internal business expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Passionately lead & develop the project management team / department, with effective line management, mentoring & coaching of several Project Managers, plus wider support teams.
• Set up, implement & manage a Project Support Office (PSO), defining its structure, it's responsibilities & its ways of working, in order to deliver high end project solutions & service offerings.
• Develop & maintain project / programme governance frameworks, policies, processes, controls & all associated PM toolsets.
• Define programme scope, programme objectives, the required deliverables & the key project priorities in collaboration with the company's key stakeholders / SMT.
• Effectively create & maintain programme roadmaps, programme schedules & programme resource plans, in order to ensure successful delivery of all services.
• Provide programme oversight across the business, monitoring progress against scope, schedules, budgets & the wider strategic objectives.
• Be the primary contact for the escalation of any issues relating to projects & programmes delivery. Remedying any issues to deliver the programme OTIF.
• Identify & manage programme risks / opportunities throughout the programme delivery lifecycle.
• Build, maintain & nurture strong relationships with both internal key stakeholders & external stakeholders, to ensure alignment & effective communication channels at all times.
• Put in place key performance measures, including MI / KPI reporting mechanisms, providing regular updates to directors & senior stakeholders.
• Develop & drive project management capabilities across the business, including direct reports career pathways & the promotion of best practice.
• Drive CI & delivery excellence initiatives.

Attributes:

• Extensive project & programme management experience ideally within commercial defence, MoD, public sector or government contracts supply.
• Strong programme leadership, with exceptional stakeholder engagement & strong relationship management skills, both internally & externally.
• A highly driven, proactive self-starter with the ability to thrive & lead others in a fast-paced, challenging & dynamic environment.
• Exceptional communication, influencing & negotiation skills.
• Strong risk management, problem-solving & decision-making skills.
• Highly experienced inleading & developing programme management / project management teams to achieve successful business outcomes.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies, processes, tools & reporting systems.
• Familiarity with the UK Ministry of Defence customer environment & the governance / legislation around supplying into the sector.
• Strong user of Excel, Word & PowerPoint.

Qualifications & Experience:

• You will have APM-accredited qualification (PMQ, ChPP) or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading complex programmes & cross-functional teams within highly regulated sectors / environments.
• Strong knowledge of programme governance & strategic delivery frameworks.
• Used to supplying into highly regulated industries & complex frameworks.
• Vast experience in commercial project management & programme delivery.
• Strong commercial acumen around financial planning, project / programme delivery budgeting & project resource management experience.
• Experience establishing or leading a PMO/PSO function is desirable.
• MSP Practitioner qualification or equivalent is advantageous.

This key Programme Lead role could suit someone who is working as or has worked as a Programme Manager, Program Manager, Business Programme Manager, Portfolio Manager, Delivery Manager, Head of Delivery, Head of Programme Management, PMO Lead, Technical Program Manager (TPM), Engineering Program Manager (EPM), Programme PMO Manager, Portfolio PMO Manager, PMO Manager or Head of PMO.

The role is commutable from Lincoln, Sleaford, Spalding, Boston, Newark, Grantham, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Louth, Hull, Stamford, Bourne, Holbeach, Skegness, Horncastle, Mablethorpe, Sutton on Sea, Brigg, Retford, Worksop, Mansfield, Doncaster & other areas close to these.

Interviews are to take place immediately, with the client looking to hire ASAP.

Fantastic modern working atmosphere & highly progressive company.