Programme Manager Software Delivery Lead

Thales; Cheadle; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Cheadle is seeking a Programme Manager for Software Delivery. This high-impact role involves leading software projects to support business growth, focusing on the delivery of advanced software solutions for the S2076 Programme. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, experience in software project management, and a demonstrated ability to manage relationships with various stakeholders. This position offers hybrid working arrangements, with flexibility suited to individual lifestyles.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Career development opportunities

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering software projects in multi-site environments.
• Experience leading teams and managing performance.
• Expertise in software project management fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Drive software capabilities delivery across multiple programmes.
• Provide strategic guidance for software campaigns.
• Champion team health and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Customer relationship management

Software development life cycle understanding

Programme planning and control

Risk mitigation

Financial management in projects

Job description

Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom

Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Programme Manager – Software Delivery Lead

Based in Cheadle – Hybrid working (3 days in the office weekly)

Are you an analytical leader with a talent for identifying risks and resolving challenges before they arise, while forging lasting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders? Are you seeking your next step in software programme management, where you can shape, lead, and drive software projects that directly support business growth?

What the role has to offer:

• Drive continuous improvement in software delivery methodologies to accelerate growth
• Be at the forefront of delivering innovative, world-class software solutions from concept to deployment
• Play a pivotal part in a department with significant business expansion plans
• Excellent prospects for professional and career progression

Our Opportunity

We are offering an outstanding opportunity for a Programme Manager to join Thales (UWS) Under Water Systems, in our Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) division, supporting and leading the delivery of advanced software solutions for the S2076 Programme, which underpins sonar systems for the Royal Navy and our International partners.

The S2076 software portfolio focuses on optimising core inboard software components, ensuring adaptable and cohesive delivery across multiple programme streams, and maintaining alignment with evolving technology roadmaps. You will provide strategic oversight and direction, guaranteeing best-in-class delivery to diverse customer projects, including Dreadnought, Astute, Vanguard, PACE, SSN-A, and future export opportunities.

This is a fantastic and high-impact opportunity for an experienced Programme Manager to shape and lead software portfolios, driving world-leading performance and operational capabilities where they matter most. We are seeking a talented individual skilled in managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and driving alignment across continually evolving software product strategies.

This role demands strong leadership both externally, engaging senior stakeholders within Thales and our customer community, and internally, guiding teams to successful and timely software delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver S2076 software capabilities across multiple programmes within agreed cost, time, and performance parameters
• Provide strategic guidance for all campaigns and bids, ensuring full alignment with S2076 software technology roadmaps to maximise business benefit
• Articulate and execute the vision and strategy for the current S2076 software portfolio and future journey towards 2176
• Champion the health, safety and wellbeing of all team members—both direct and matrixed—at all times

Security Clearance Statement

Due to the nature of our work, many roles at Thales are subject to security requirements. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). Ideally, you already possess this clearance; if not, we require the successful candidate to obtain, achieve, and maintain SC prior to beginning employment. Please refer to the UKSV website for guidance on eligibility.

About You

You will have a demonstrable track record in the successful delivery of software-focused projects and/or software portfolios in a complex, multi-site business environment, as well as the following attributes:

• Experience leading both direct teams (up to 5 people) and broader matrix teams (up to 50 people), including coaching, performance management, and professional development
• Strong capability in managing customer and supplier relationships within the software delivery context
• Specific understanding of software development life cycles, complemented by experience with software architecture or technical design considerations
• Expertise in structuring, planning, and controlling large-scale software programmes using tailored best practices in programme and project delivery
• Proven ability in monitoring progress against baselines and critical milestones, with particular focus on proactive risk mitigation and maintaining delivery to agreed quality, timelines, and budgets
• Deep understanding of financial and contractual aspects of software project management
• Success in collaborating across functional domains to drive alignment and ensure programme objectives are met
• Familiarity with demand/business planning for software projects, including workforce forecasting and functional coordination
• Proficiency representing software programmes at senior governance forums, providing clear reports on status, risk and support needs for leadership
• Experience coaching and developing junior Project Managers
• Prior background working in a complex, multi-site organisation

#LI-ST1

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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