Programme Manager

Rubicon Recruitment; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rubicon Recruitment in Bournemouth seeks a highly capable Programme Manager to drive complex aviation programmes from sales handover to closure, owning outcomes and delivering value. You will lead the Integrated Project Team, manage budget, schedule, and change control, while maintaining critical OEM and customer relationships across multi-site activities.

The role offers autonomous ownership in a technically rich environment with exposure to international travel and a stable, reputable aviation

Qualifications

• Experience in programme or project management, preferably in aerospace/defence.
• Degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or related discipline.
• PM qualification desirable: APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or AGILE Practitioner.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full programme lifecycle from sales handover to closure with complete budget accountability.
• Act as primary customer contact for communications and key milestones (ITCM, PDR, CDR, FAI).
• Develop, maintain and communicate the programme plan, schedule and change log to stakeholders.
• Lead the Integrated Project Team (IPT), coordinate resources, resolve conflicts, and manage critical path dependencies.
• Manage scope change through MCP/CCP, including Change Board presentations and OEM approvals.
• Monitor and report programme financial performance, OEM ratings, and delivery status against contract obligations.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Cost & schedule control

PM qualifications (APM PMQ / PRINCE2 /

Education

Engineering/Science/Business degree

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Programme Manager | Bournemouth

Aviation is one of the most demanding environments in which to manage a programme. Every deliverable carries weight, every schedule change has a ripple effect, and every customer relationship is hard-won. This is a business that has spent decades building its reputation, winning the confidence of major OEMs and customers through precision, accountability, and the ability to deliver where others struggle. They are now looking for a Programme Manager who can take the reins on complex, high-value programmes and drive them from sales handover through to closure, with full ownership of the outcomes.

As a Programme Manager, you will benefit from:

• A technically rich environment with genuine complexity, including complex engineering development, certification testing, and third-party integrations
• Autonomous ownership of programme delivery, cost, quality, and weight performance
• Direct customer-facing responsibility with leading OEMs and airline operators
• Formal project management development supported by an established PM function
• Exposure to international travel and multi-site programme activity
• A stable, well-regarded business with a long-standing position in the aviation sector

As a Programme Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the full programme lifecycle from sales handover to closure, with complete budgetary accountability for delivery, cost, quality, and weight
• Acting as primary customer contact for all communications, queries, and key programme milestones including ITCM, PDR, CDR, and FAI
• Developing, maintaining, and communicating the programme plan, schedule, and change log to internal and external stakeholders
• Leading the Integrated Project Team (IPT), coordinating resources, resolving conflicts, and managing critical path dependencies
• Managing scope change through the MCP/CCP process, including Change Board presentations and OEM approval coordination
• Monitoring and reporting programme financial performance, OEM ratings, and delivery status against contract obligations

As a Programme Manager, your experience will include:

• Experience programme or project management role, ideally within aerospace, aviation, or defence manufacturing
• Degree educated in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related discipline
• Formal PM qualification desirable: APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or AGILE Practitioner
• Experience managing programme P&L and working to contractual cost and delivery targets
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with a track record of maintaining OEM and customer relationships under pressure
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including MS Project

If you are a structured, delivery-focused Programme Manager who thrives on accountability and is ready to take full ownership of complex programmes in a specialist aviation environment, this is a role worth exploring.