Senior Programme Manager - Defence

Lockheed Martin; Ampthill; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lockheed Martin in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, is seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager - Defence to lead complex programmes across the full lifecycle. You will build and direct cross-functional teams, manage budgets, schedules and risk, and partner with senior stakeholders to ensure mission success.

The role leverages our 4xFlex pattern (Mon–Thu on site with Mon/Tue mandatory on site, Wed/Thu hybrid) to deliver high-quality defence outcomes within the UK.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Programme Manager in the Defence sector.
• Track record of managing large-scale, complex projects (£10M+).
• Strong background in working with PMO teams to deliver programmes on time and within budget.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders, with the ability to influence strategic and financial decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver programme financial, performance, and delivery objectives, reporting to the Business Area Manager.
• Build, lead, and inspire cross-functional teams to achieve programme goals.
• Oversee all phases of programme execution: bid decisions, proposals, negotiations, award, start-up, execution, sustainment, and closure.
• Develop and maintain programme and subcontract management plans, schedules, and performance baselines.
• Ensure delivery to agreed cost, schedule, quality, sales, and profit objectives.
• Implement Programme Performance Management processes, including Earned Value Management (EVM) and subcontractor compliance where applicable.
• Drive risk, opportunity, data, and configuration management across programmes.
• Lead the team in identifying, tracking, and delivering Mission Success Events.

Skills

Programme management

Defence sector

PMO

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager - Defence to join our team at our state-of-the‑art Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. This role offers our 4xFlex working pattern – a 4 day working week (Monday–Thursday) Monday and Tuesday are mandatory onsite with Wednesday and Thursday offering potential for hybrid working, dependant on meeting business needs. As Senior Programme Manager, you will be accountable for play a pivotal role in driving programme delivery, ensuring mission success, and leading high-performing teams across the full programme lifecycle. Lockheed Martin is a global company with a century-long history of designing, building and delivering the most sophisticated defence technologies the world has ever seen. Our team is large and exceptionally talented - an outstanding group to work with, and learn from. They embody a culture of collaboration, adaptability and excellence. We support all or people professionally and personally as their work advances the security of the UK, our Armed Forces and our world.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for delivering programme financial, performance, and delivery objectives, reporting directly to the Business Area Manager.
• Build, lead, and inspire cross-functional teams with the skills and capabilities needed to achieve programme goals.
• Oversee all phases of programme execution: bid decisions, proposals, negotiations, award, start-up, execution, sustainment, and closure.
• Develop and maintain programme and subcontract management plans, schedules, and performance baselines.
• Ensure delivery to agreed cost, schedule, quality, sales, and profit objectives.
• Implement Programme Performance Management processes, including Earned Value Management (EVM) and subcontractor compliance where applicable.
• Drive effective risk, opportunity, data, and configuration management across programmes.
• Lead the team in identifying, tracking, and delivering Mission Success Events.

The successful candidate must achieve the appropriate level (DV) of security clearance. More details can be found here.

Required Skills, Qualifications And Experience

• Significant experience as a Programme Manager in the Defence sector.
• Track record of managing large-scale, complex projects (£10M+).
• Strong background in working with PMO teams to deliver programmes on time and within budget.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders, with the ability to influence strategic and financial decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Desired Skills

• APMP, APMPQ, or equivalent Project Management accreditation.
• Existing SC or DV clearance.