Deputy Director Programmes - Kuwait

NATS; Kuwait; On-site; KWD 37,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Dental cover

Generous leave entitlements

Leave purchase option

Wellness support

Learning & development

Job summary

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, and is seeking a Deputy Director - Programmes to oversee delivery of technical and business transformation activities. The role requires leadership of cross-functional teams, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget, with a strong focus on governance and strategic alignment.

Based in Kuwait, you will establish a PMO, drive planning, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement, and partner with senior leadership to

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading and delivering large-scale technical and business transformation programs.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in project management, with a strong track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Middle East delivery experience (preferable).

Responsibilities

• Establishment of a new Project Management Office (PMO), with accountability for implementing all associated processes, systems and tools.
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of technical and business transformation programmes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Oversee the development and implementation of project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Manage cross-functional teams, providing direction, support, and coaching to ensure high performance and successful project outcomes.
• Monitor programme progress and performance, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies to address potential issues.
• Ensure effective communication and stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle, including regular status updates and reporting.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define programme goals, priorities, and success metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
• Optimize processes and methodologies to improve efficiency, quality, and delivery of transformation initiatives.
• Manage programme budgets, ensuring financial accountability and adherence to approved funding.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, encouraging teams to identify and implement best practices.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and organizational policies throughout the programme's execution.
• Evaluate the impact of transformation activities, providing insights and recommendations for future initiatives.

Skills

Programme leadership

Cross-functional teams

Change management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Arabic speaker

Education

University degree

Tools

MS Project

MS Excel

Job description

Closing Date: 23 September 2026

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2 million flights each year. It provides air traffic control services, as well as a wide range of commercial solutions in over 30 countries internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.

Role Purpose

This role is accountable for overseeing the delivery of technical and business transformation activities, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution of strategic initiatives. Leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and aligning programme objectives with organizational goals, the Deputy Director - Programmes is responsible for ensuring that all projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.

Key Accountabilities

• Establishment of a new Project Management Office (PMO), with accountability for implementing all associated processes, systems and tools.


• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of technical and business transformation programmes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.


• Oversee the development and implementation of project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.


• Manage cross-functional teams, providing direction, support, and coaching to ensure high performance and successful project outcomes.


• Monitor programme progress and performance, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies to address potential issues.


• Ensure effective communication and stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle, including regular status updates and reporting.


• Collaborate with senior leadership to define programme goals, priorities, and success metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.


• Optimize processes and methodologies to improve efficiency, quality, and delivery of transformation initiatives.


• Manage programme budgets, ensuring financial accountability and adherence to approved funding.


• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, encouraging teams to identify and implement best practices.


• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and organizational policies throughout the programme's execution.


• Evaluate the impact of transformation activities, providing insights and recommendations for future initiatives.

Qualifications, Skills And Personal Attributes

• Proven experience in leading and delivering large-scale technical and business transformation programs.


• Minimum of 10 years' experience in project management, with a strong track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects.


• Middle East delivery experience (preferable).


• Proficient in project management tools and software.


• Strong understanding of change management principles and methodologies.


• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices in program and project management.


• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.


• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.


• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Fluent in English; Arabic speaker (preferable).


• Results-oriented with a strong focus on delivering high-quality outcomes.


• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.


• High level of integrity and professionalism.


• Strong cultural awareness and sensitivity, particularly in the context of the Middle East.


• University degree is highly desirable.

Additional Vacancy Information

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally. In addition to a competitive salary that's regularly reviewed, as a member of our international team, you'll also benefit from private healthcare and dental cover, generous leave entitlement with the option to purchase additional leave, wellness support and a comprehensive learning and development offering. For more information, please visit International - NATS

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe - we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.