Heritage jobs in United Kingdom

At MacTaggart Scott, we’ve been engineering innovative solutions for the Naval Defence industry since 1898. We deliver end-to-end support from design and manufacture to commissioning and life-cycle management, for some of the UK’s most complex defence programmes.

We’re proud of our heritage but focused on the future. Continuous improvement, innovation, and developing our people are at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead a portfolio of complex engineering projects within our Projects department. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of programmes through effective planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

You’ll manage and mentor a team of Project Managers and Project Coordinators, ensuring adherence to best practice processes while driving performance and continuous improvement. The role also involves close collaboration with customers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to achieve successful project outcomes.

This is a role requiring minimal supervision, offering the opportunity to shape delivery excellence across some of the most advanced engineering programmes in the defence sector.

• Lead and oversee a portfolio of projects, ensuring delivery to schedule, budget, and quality targets.
• Line-manage and mentor Project Managers and Project Coordinators, supporting their professional growth and performance.
• Ensure team adherence to departmental and business processes, promoting consistency and compliance.
• Provide direct project management support as required, including cover for Project Managers.
• Maintain accurate schedules, budgets, and forecasts with support from the Finance team.
• Manage contract variations, risk registers, and change control processes across projects.
• Lead customer engagement, acting as the primary escalation point for your programme portfolio.
• Oversee invoicing and financial reporting, ensuring all customer billing aligns with contractual terms.
• Support bids and proposal activity by reviewing scope, schedule, and cost to ensure smooth transition into execution.
• Represent the department at internal and external meetings - including contract reviews, S&OP, and steering groups and deputise for the Head of Project Management where required.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the Projects function

You’re a confident, strategic leader who thrives in a fast-paced technical environment. You combine commercial awareness with strong communication and leadership skills, and you know how to motivate teams to deliver complex projects successfully.

• Proven experience managing multiple projects or programmes within engineering, manufacturing, or defence environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop project teams.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage change, mitigate risks, and resolve issues across projects.
• Experience working with overseas customers and suppliers.
• Strong understanding of project governance, risk management, and schedule control.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and experienced with ERP/MRP or equivalent systems.
• Ability to meet UK MoD security clearance requirements.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

• APMP, APMQ, or equivalent project management qualification.
• Experience in the naval or defence industry.
• Familiarity with earned value management and performance metrics.
• Experience leading departmental or process improvement initiatives.

• Essential: City & Guilds, Scotvec, Degree, or equivalent academic qualification.
• Desirable: APMP or equivalent project management certification.

At MacTaggart Scott, you’ll have the opportunity to lead strategically significant defence projects that make a real impact. You’ll work alongside expert engineers and project professionals in a company that values innovation, integrity, and collaboration.

Apply today and play a key role in driving the success of some of the UK’s most advanced naval defence programmes.

• Flexible Working: Choose a 4- or 5-day week with flexible hours (07:00–19:00, core hours 09:30–15:30).
• Career Development: Ongoing training and clear pathways to senior roles.
• Wellbeing Support: Access to our wellbeing programme, Employee Assistance Programme, and onsite nurse.
• Onsite Facilities: Free parking, canteen, and a supportive L&D team environment.