VodafoneThree - Senior Portfolio Manager - Defence

Vodafone; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company is seeking a dedicated individual to enhance cyber security within the UK's Critical National Infrastructure. The candidate will be responsible for programme governance, stakeholder leadership, and risk management in high-scale Defence projects. Candidates should possess a PRINCE2 Practitioner or PMI-PMP qualification, and experience in secure telecommunications environments is essential. Leadership experience, effective team management, and the ability to maintain security clearance are critical to this role.

Benefits

Excellent salary

Bonus potential

Company benefits

Qualifications

• Strong delivery leadership in large scale Department of Defence projects.
• Proven expertise in defining Programme Teams and identifying SQEP.
• Understanding of Risk tooling and familiarity with Defence Contract Management Agency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Establishes governance controls aligned with defence standards.
• Builds strategic relationships and leads multi-party teams.
• Manages programme budgets typically between £20m-30m capex annually.

Skills

Delivery leadership

Experience in secure telecommunications

Programme Planning

Risk management

Team management

Education

PRINCE2 Practitioner or PMI-PMP

Tools

Monte Carlo

Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA)

Job description

Location : Farnborough, Newbury or Bristol (Onsite)

Salary : Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits

Working Hours: Full time hours per week – Monday to Friday

Security Clearance : This position requires the ability to Hold or Eligible to undergo and maintain developed security clearance (DV)

Who We Are

We’re here to build a network the UK can count on – one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online – we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future’s being built – today.

We’re creating more than the UK’s best network. We’re helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress.

We believe that everyone should feel they belong. Whoever you are and whatever your story, there’s space for you here. We’re building a workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, voices are heard, and everyone feels safe to show up as themselves.

You’ll join a team that genuinely cares – about each other, about our customers, and about the future we’re building. From day one, you’ll be welcomed, valued and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.

Why VodafoneThree

Join us and you’ll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last.

We’re not just expanding connectivity; we’re reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With £11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country.

You’ll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you’ll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone.

We move at pace, because what we’re building matters – and we’re learning as we go. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we’re just getting started.

Join Vodafone Business Security Enhanced and strengthen the cyber security of the UK's Critical National Infrastructure and public sector organisations.

• Programme governance and delivery : Establishes governance controls aligned with defence standards, emphasizing risk management, assurance, and contractual compliance throughout programme lifecycles.
• Stakeholder and team leadership : Builds strategic relationships internally and externally, operating at senior stakeholder levels, including CTO and CIO, and leads multi-party teams with suitably qualified personnel to meet programme requirements.
• Risk and financial management : Applies advanced risk tools such as Monte Carlo and QSRA, manages programme budgets typically between £20m-30m capex annually, and ensures alignment with benefits realization and business case viability.
• Programme planning and control : Creates detailed integrated programme plans identifying resources, interdependencies, critical paths, and measurable outcomes, while forecasting resource demand and managing performance.
• Quality assurance and reporting : Implements quality standards, status reporting, and produces regular financial and performance reports including lessons learned and closure documentation.
• Leadership and team development : Clarifies skills requirements, manages multiple programmes, coaches teams, and maintains morale and motivation throughout delivery.

Who you are

• Strong delivery leadership in large scale Department of Defence projects
• PRINCE2 Practitioner or PMI-PMP required
• Experience in secure telecommunications environments
• Proven expertise in defining Programme Teams during bid phase and identifying SQEP to ensure requirements are achieved in a timely manner
• Experience of Programme Planning and the familiarity of Defence Contract Management Agency requirements (14 point check) to assess compliance with an Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
• Understanding of Risk tooling of large defence Programmes Monte Carlo and the application of Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA)
• Ability to manage a team of programme / project managers and 3rd party suppliers
• Able to hold or eligible to undergo and maintain developed security clearance (DV)