Defence Programme Manager

UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Programme Manager with Programme, Project, and Service Management expertise in medium to large, high-complexity deliveries (£20m – £70m p/a), particularly within the Defence Industry.

Are you ready for your next challenge?

The ideal candidate will have broad experience demonstrating individual contribution or leadership across the following Business Lifecycle phases:

1. Management and leadership of BAU contract phase, including developing and delivering On Contract Growth.
2. Project intervention, problem resolution, and Return-to-Green planning for Red and at-risk projects within complex environments, e.g., policing and Intelligence domains.
3. Business Development Activities/Customer Engagement to shape requirements and offers, including Client-side working.
4. Developing and writing innovative bids/proposals for new business, considering risks, opportunities, and strategic growth priorities.
5. Start-up experience – mobilisation of contracts within complex environments.
6. Exit and contract close-out.

This is a full-time, permanent role supporting a government client, requiring DV clearance. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, capable of working autonomously and within a team, to meet project and operational objectives, ensuring compliance with milestones, KPIs, and SLAs. Excellent written and stakeholder management skills are essential, along with an analytical and systematic approach to project and technical challenges.

Your Role and Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership to a large, multi-disciplined, geographically dispersed team of SMEs.
2. Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
3. Produce weekly, monthly, and quarterly internal and external reports.
4. Coordinate internal resources and third-party vendors for flawless project execution.
5. Contribute to weekly and quarterly customer briefings as a Leidos representative.
6. Manage programme scope, requirements, and acceptance criteria.
7. Lead commercial decision-making processes.
8. Manage project scopes and objectives involving all relevant stakeholders.
9. Ensure resource availability and optimal allocation.
10. Maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders.
11. Perform risk management to minimise project risks.
12. Establish and maintain relationships with third-party vendors.
13. Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.

Candidate Profile

• Proven track record in delivering complex programmes successfully.
• Experience with SAFe Agile and Waterfall delivery models.
• Strong interpersonal skills and judgment for developing stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to work within multi-functional teams with engineering awareness.
• Core Programme Management skills: delivery team creation, scheduling, risk management, EVM.
• Understanding of business, finance, personnel management, and project commercial aspects.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Line management and leadership experience.
• Certification in APM, Prince 2, or Agile Prince 2.

The role involves mobile working, with visits to customer sites in the South of England, and some home working flexibility. The candidate must attain and maintain DV clearance and be a UK national.

About Leidos

Leidos UK & EUROPE aims to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through technology, engineering, and science. Our UK work addresses complex problems in defence, healthcare, government, safety, security, and transportation.

What We Offer

We are passionate about customer success, united as a team, and inspired to make a difference. Our benefits include:

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• 33 days annual leave (including public holidays)
• Flexible benefits (life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, holiday buy/sell, cycle schemes)
• Dynamic Working (link to ‘Dynamic Working’)

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applications from all parts of the community and are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture. We provide equal access to opportunities and resources. Please inform us of any reasonable adjustments needed during the application process.

Additional Information

For U.S. positions, the job is expected to remain open for at least 3 days from posting. The pay range is £71,700.00 - £110,802.50, subject to responsibilities, experience, and other factors.