Senior Programme Manager Aerospace

Base Innovate; Wimborne Minster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense firm located in Wimborne Minster is seeking a Senior Programme Manager to lead complex programs. This role involves managing project teams, ensuring delivery on quality and time targets, and maintaining stakeholder satisfaction. The successful candidate will have experience in program management, ideally within aerospace or technology sectors. Flexible working solutions are available.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Challenging projects

Flexible working solutions

Ongoing learning opportunities

Health and safety measures

Qualifications

• Qualified to lead high-visibility and high-impact programs.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects across the product lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of functional areas, including the supply chain process.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the program in alignment with agreed timeframes and budgets.
• Foster a collaborative and engaged cross-functional program team.
• Build relationships with key customer contacts.

Skills

Collaborative leadership

Communication

Team empowerment

Facilitation skills

Commercial awareness

Education

Certifications such as APM or PMI

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Unlock Your Potential at Eaton: Where Diversity Drives Innovation. No matter where you come from, your aspirations matter to us. We believe in the power of different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to ignite innovation and drive success. We're in the business of empowering people, and that includes you. Your journey here is not just about a job; it's about a shared vision for a brighter, more sustainable future.

About Eaton Wimborne

Join a world‑class engineering hub that's revolutionizing air‑to‑air refueling and advanced actuation systems for defense markets. Formerly Cobham Mission Systems, our Wimborne facility is now part of Eaton's dynamic portfolio, bringing cutting‑edge innovation to the aerospace and defense industry.

With a team of 1,000 talented professionals, we operate in a state‑of‑the‑art environment, leveraging AI, Machine Learning, integrated testing, and next‑generation systems to drive progress. But beyond the technology, we are a people‑first organization, dedicated to career growth, employee satisfaction, and fostering a culture of excellence.

As an ITAR‑regulated site, we work on mission‑critical solutions, meaning eligibility for Security Clearance is required. If you're looking to make an impact, work with groundbreaking technology, and be part of a future‑focused team, this is the place for you!

We are looking for a Senior Programme Manager who will be responsible for leading and managing a complex program composed of multiple projects. The goal is to deliver the agreed scope within planned quality, time, and cost parameters, while ensuring stakeholder and customer satisfaction.

In this role, you will be inspiring and guiding the team to achieve the business case objectives and expected margins. You'll foster collaboration, encourage ownership, and support the team in delivering impactful results.

There will be between 3 and 4 Project and Program Managers reporting into this role. In addition, the position involves leading and empowering cross‑functional teams, including matrix‑managed colleagues and supply chain partners.

Hybrid working solutions are available.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver the program in alignment with agreed timeframes, budgets, quality standards, and expected outcomes.
• Support broader business goals, including On‑Time Delivery (OTD), arrears reduction, revenue generation, and margin achievement for assigned programs.
• Foster a collaborative and engaged cross‑functional program team; experience in coaching and mentoring is highly valued.
• Coordinate and guide program activities with clarity and purpose.
• Promote open, transparent, and inclusive communication across the team and with stakeholders.
• Facilitate planning efforts with project managers and help navigate resource needs across projects.
• Build and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with key customer contacts.
• Collaborate with supply chain partners to ensure alignment and smooth delivery across the program.
• Consolidate reporting across all projects, leveraging PMO capabilities to support informed decision‑making.
• Establish and maintain effective governance structures for the program.
• Partner with leadership to fulfill legal responsibilities and contribute to a safe, respectful working environment for all.
• Contribute to bids and future business planning, including profit plans and long‑term strategic goals (e.g., 5‑YPs).

Core Competencies

• Strong collaborative leadership and interpersonal skills, including effective communication, team empowerment, and influence.
• Outcome‑focused, with the ability to balance task delivery, team dynamics, and individual development to achieve meaningful results.
• Proactive, engaged, and open to continuous learning and growth.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and adapting to change.
• Skilled facilitator and mediator, able to foster understanding and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Capable of maintaining a broad, strategic perspective and engaging confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Committed to supporting the growth and development of project managers, enhancing their impact and capabilities.
• Commercially and contractually aware, with a strong sense of responsibility and integrity.
• Additional competencies will be outlined in the competency matrix and aligned with the relevant job level.

Qualifications And Experience

• Qualified to lead high‑visibility and high‑impact programs (certifications such as APM or PMI are appreciated).
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects across the full product lifecycle.
• Background in program management, ideally within aerospace, engineering, or technology sectors, with a consistent record of successful delivery.
• Strong understanding of functional areas, including the full supply chain process.
• Familiarity with project and program management tools and techniques, with hands‑on experience applying them effectively.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Challenging projects in a dynamic collaborative team
• Flexible working solutions
• We make your aspirations matter—Eaton encourages internal promotion whenever possible.
• We make your growth matter—We invest in our employees for the long term, not just with salary and benefits, but with ongoing learning and development opportunities made available through Eaton University.
• We make your contributions matter—Reliability, safety, efficiency, and sustainability are at the core of our dedication to improving people’s lives and the environment through power management technologies.
• We make your wellbeing matter—We put your health and safety first. Wellness at Eaton is more than a program, it’s about changing the environment by offering the right tools to help empower employees to make that happen.

The successful applicant will be in contact with US ITAR‑controlled technology, goods and information. As a condition of employment, employees with access to US ITAR‑controlled technology and goods may be required to undergo an additional screening process as part of the recruitment process.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees. Our recruitment processes use balanced selection criteria and avoid unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of their age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, genetic information, race or racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other status protected or required by law.