Programme Director

HM97: Programme Director

Location: Corsham 3 days per week on site | Contract 12 Months with possible extension

Salary: Competitive Day Rate | Inside IR35

Overview:

First Military Recruitment are currently seeking a Programme Manager on behalf of one of our clients.

Lead the establishment and maturation of programme governance, commercial, technical and delivery frameworks required to transform defence communications capabilities, whilst ensuring programme activity remains aligned with business priorities, operational requirements and the approved mandate.

The postholder will operate across a complex stakeholder landscape, working closely with senior defence leaders, delivery partners, commercial teams, project teams and technical authorities to ensure coherent delivery of programme objectives and successful transition of capabilities into operational service.

Our client encourages applications from ex-military personnel however all candidates will be given due consideration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide visible leadership across the programme, establishing clear direction, priorities and delivery outcomes.
• Develop and maintain the programme delivery strategy, ensuring alignment with digital, fixed connectivity and wider defence transformation objectives.
• Maintain oversight of the NGCN landscape, ensuring delivery activity remains coherent, integrated and aligned to strategic outcomes.
• Act as a senior representative and champion for NGCN, promoting programme objectives across Defence and industry stakeholders.
• Design, implement and maintain effective programme governance, controls and assurance arrangements.
• Establish decision-making frameworks, stage gates and stop/go decision points to support effective programme oversight.
• Scope, initiate and oversee projects and workstreams within the NGCN portfolio, ensuring clear delivery accountability.
• Manage transition between programme phases and support the movement of mature capabilities into BAU governance and service management arrangements.
• Ensure robust programme reporting is established, providing timely and accurate information to senior leadership forums.
• Lead the development and maintenance of programme business cases.
• Support the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) in delivering approved business outcomes.
• Ensure benefits realisation frameworks are established and monitored throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Identify issues affecting programme viability and provide recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Support development of the programme's commercial strategy and associated procurement activities.
• Work closely with commercial and finance teams to ensure procurement activity supports programme outcomes and represents value for money.
• Oversee requirements management and supplier engagement activities.
• Manage commercial dependencies and support resolution of delivery, performance and contractual issues.
• Provide strategic oversight of programme technical delivery.
• Ensure programme solutions align with defence architecture, interoperability, cyber security and service management requirements.
• Support the development of future communications and connectivity capabilities.
• Oversee the integration of programme deliverables into enduring service environments.
• Lead management of programme risks, assumptions, issues, dependencies and opportunities (RAIDO).
• Escalate significant risks and issues where required and drive timely resolution through stakeholder engagement and governance routes.
• Ensure compliance with governance, security and assurance requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, programme boards, project teams, users and industry partners.
• Lead engagement and communications activity across programme stakeholders.
• Build alignment across technical, commercial, operational and delivery communities.
• Provide authoritative advice and briefing material to senior decision-makers.
• Provide leadership, direction and support to programme and project teams.
• Create a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on delivery, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure programme resources are effectively organised and deployed to meet delivery priorities.
• Support development of programme delivery capability and professional standards across the team.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Significant experience leading large, complex programmes, portfolios or major transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience establishing governance, controls and delivery frameworks within complex organisational environments.
• Experience managing senior stakeholder relationships across government, defence or similarly complex organisations.
• Experience delivering communications, digital, technology or infrastructure programmes.
• Strong understanding of programme and project management disciplines, including business case
• development, benefits management, governance and assurance.
• Experience managing commercial, procurement and supplier delivery activities.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build high-performing teams and establish collaborative
• working relationships.
• Ability to operate effectively within complex, ambiguous and evolving delivery environments.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Active SC Clearance is essential

Desirable:

• Experience working within Defence, Government or National Security environments.
• Understanding of service management, enterprise architecture and systems integration principles.
• Experience managing programmes involving multiple suppliers and delivery partners.
• Knowledge of Defence governance and investment approval processes.

Location: Corsham 3 days per week on site | Contract 12 Months with possible extension

Salary: Competitive Day Rate | Inside IR35