Program Manager

OB Collective is a UK technology business working on independent verification and evidence for information moving between organisations and systems. We work primarily in regulated and public-sector environments, combining software engineering, systems assurance and operational evidence to help organisations understand the state of information before it is relied upon.

We're looking for an experienced Programme Delivery Lead to run an initial six-month technical programme involving software engineering, systems testing and specialist aviation and positioning expertise.

You will be responsible for the delivery baseline: scope, plan, budget, resources, risks, dependencies, decisions and acceptance of outputs. You will work closely with a small senior technical team and external specialists, ensuring that engineering work remains properly controlled without slowing it down with unnecessary process.

The work starts from an existing software prototype and will cover system integration, testing, failure conditions, performance and resilience, and the evidence needed to support future operational use.

Roles are UK-based, outside IR35, and primarily remote with occasional travel for workshops and technical activity.

Responsibilities

• Own the project plan, work breakdown structure, milestones and delivery schedule.
• Maintain clear control of scope, budget, resources, risks, dependencies and changes.
• Coordinate the technical, test, regulatory and specialist workstreams.
• Run the programme's formal review and decision points.
• Ensure deliverables have clear owners, evidence and acceptance criteria.
• Maintain forecasting and provide a clear view of progress, issues and decisions.
• Manage external specialists and suppliers where required.
• Keep the contractual baseline aligned with the technical delivery.
• Prepare concise programme reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Lead mobilisation and project close-out.

Experience we need

• Strong track record delivering complex software, engineering or technical programmes.
• Direct responsibility for programme planning, budget and delivery control.
• Experience of fixed-price or otherwise tightly controlled commercial delivery.
• Confident working with senior engineers and subject-matter specialists.
• Experience managing risk, dependencies, change and formal acceptance.
• Comfortable in government, regulated or safety-conscious environments.
• Able to apply proportionate governance rather than process for its own sake.

Useful experience

• Aviation, space, defence, autonomy, critical infrastructure or PNT.
• Technical R&D or engineering-development programmes.
• Systems engineering.
• Government-funded innovation or research programmes.