Programme Manager

Rubicon Recruitment Agency; Hurn; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Rubicon Recruitment Agency is seeking a Programme Manager for a Bournemouth-based role in aviation. You will own complex, high-value programmes from sales handover through to closure, with full accountability for cost, schedule, quality, and weight, including direct liaison with OEMs and operators.

You should have experience in aerospace or defence manufacturing, a relevant engineering/science/business degree, and PM qualifications such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2, or AGILE; familiarity with Microsoft

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, aviation, or defence manufacturing.
• Degree in a relevant engineering/science/business field.
• PM qualifications such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or AGILE Practitioner are desirable.
• Experience managing programme P&L and delivering to contractual targets.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to maintain OEM/customer relationships under pressure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including MS Project.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

MS Project

Education

Engineering / Science / Business degree

Tools

MS Project

Microsoft Office

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.

• 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.