Programme Manager

Draken; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent international defense contractor in the Riyadh Region is seeking a Programme Manager to oversee the delivery of critical projects. The successful candidate will support the UK Senior Programme Manager, ensure program adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards, and foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Ideal candidates will possess a solid background in defense or aviation industries, with proven project management expertise. This role supports a fast-paced environment focused on delivering exceptional results.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex programmes or multiple projects.
• Experience working within RAF or RSAF environments is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of strategically important projects.
• Oversee programme delivery to ensure time, cost, and quality parameters.
• Develop and maintain the Programme Management Plan.

Skills

Benefits management

Stakeholder management

Project management methodologies

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Experience in defence or aviation environment

Familiarity with PM frameworks (MSP, PRINCE2, PMI)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Programme management tools

Job description

Draken Europe offers exciting careers that matter.

We believe that mission success does not start with the mission itself. It begins with our people.

The Role

We are recruiting for a Programme Manager to lead the delivery of strategically important projects, ensuring outcomes are achieved in line with agreed quality, time, cost and safety parameters.

The role supports the UK Senior Programme Manager and works closely with internal and external stakeholders to drive programme delivery, benefits realisation and customer satisfaction through effective project management and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the UK Senior Programme Manager in the delivery of the programme and benefits aligned to the approved business case.
• Lead and oversee programme delivery to agreed time, cost, quality, safety and benefits parameters.
• Provide leadership, direction and motivation to a multi-disciplinary programme team.
• Maintain accountability for programme budget, including monitoring spend, forecasting, and identifying investment and development opportunities.
• Plan, structure and monitor programme delivery, proactively managing risks, issues, dependencies and corrective actions.
• Lead internal and external stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective communication and strong customer relationships.
• Integrate reporting and governance across all projects, making effective use of PMO capabilities.
• Work with functional leads to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and skills.
• Support the setup and operation of programme governance frameworks.
• Ensure quality assurance, compliance, and the overall integrity of programme outcomes.
• Develop, implement and maintain the Programme Management Plan and associated governance artefacts, ensuring clarity and alignment across the programme team.
• Ensure the programme remains strategically aligned with business objectives and delivers measurable benefits.
• Lead, motivate and manage a high-performing programme team to successfully achieve programme outcomes.
• Lead and demonstrate Draken’s core values.

Core Skills

• Clear, credible communicator able to influence diverse audiences and deliver complex or sensitive messages with confidence.
• Strong experience in benefits management, ensuring programmes remain aligned to business objectives and deliver measurable value.
• Proven ability to establish effective programme governance, ways of working and decision-making frameworks.
• Application of recognised project and programme management methodologies, tailored to programme needs.
• Skilled in building trusted relationships and managing senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Expertise in programme planning, dependency management, progress tracking and delivery assurance.
• Confident leader of multi-disciplinary teams, role-modelling organisational values and driving high performance.

Experience / Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex programmes or multiple projects in a defence or aviation environment.
• Prior experience working with, or within, RAF or RSAF environments is highly desirable.
• Strong commercial, risk and stakeholder management capability.
• Familiarity with recognised PM frameworks (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, PMI or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and programme management tools.

Our employee values

Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination and we celebrate the differences that a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspective and talent supports our values and drives our success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions and outcomes for all.

At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken Europe team is accountable to ensure that we are all treated fairly and with respect.

We are also an Armed Forces friendly organisation, and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, welcome applications from veterans and services spouses and partners who met the criteria in our job specifications.

In line with our Disability Confident Commitments, we provide reasonable adjustments to facilitate our interview process, please liaise with us if any reasonable adjustments are required.

Whether it is adversarial support, electronic attack or customised rotary-wing training, we offer the most accurate and advanced readiness training in the industry. Our vast, differentiated fleet, cutting edge hardware and experienced instructors are engaged to help your mission take off.

Being ready is not only a matter of when. But where. We provide services in the UK, US and across the NATO countries. Making sure that our allies can manoeuvre around defeat and prepare to prevail.