Overview
A leading digital services consultancy is seeking to appoint a Programme Director (Defence) to lead the successful delivery of large-scale digital transformation programmes across the United Kingdom's Defence ecosystem. This is a high-impact leadership role for an experienced programme leader who thrives in complex, multi-supplier environments and is passionate about delivering meaningful outcomes at scale. The Programme Director will take accountability for multiple programmes—often spanning multi-disciplinary teams, suppliers, and technologies. They will ensure strong governance, seamless collaboration, and consistent delivery excellence, while building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and driving long-term client value.
Key responsibilities
- Leading the end-to-end delivery of complex, £10m+ programmes, ensuring alignment to strategic outcomes
- Managing multiple workstreams across teams of 50+, including internal staff, contractors, and third-party suppliers
- Establishing and maintaining robust governance frameworks, ensuring effective risk, issue, and dependency management
- Experience delivering across multiple verticals including software and digital transformation in defence sector
- Driving commercial performance, including forecasting, margin management, and financial accountability
- Building and maintaining relationships with Director and CxO-level stakeholders
- Identifying and shaping new business opportunities, contributing to bids, proposals, and account growth
- Leading resource demand and workforce planning, working closely with operations teams
- Embedding agile delivery practices within structured governance environments
- Championing innovation, continuous improvement, and modern delivery approaches
- Leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing delivery teams
Qualifications
- Minimum 7+ years’ programme management experience, within Defence sector
- Proven delivery of large-scale (£10m+) digital or technology programmes
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams (50+ people) across complex delivery environments
- Strong background in bespoke software delivery, including cloud and data platforms
- Active SC/DV Clearance
- Expertise in agile delivery within structured governance frameworks
- Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders (Director/CxO level)
- Strong commercial acumen, including budget ownership, forecasting, and margin management
- Experience supporting business development, including bids, tenders, and account growth
- Proven leadership capability, including line management and team development
- Highly desirable: Demonstrable experience working within a consultancy setting
- Familiarity with multi-supplier delivery models
- Strong understanding of modern software engineering practices and technologies
What you'll do
- Make critical decisions under pressure, balancing client needs, commercial priorities, and team wellbeing
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Act as a trusted advisor to clients, shaping strategic direction and delivery approaches
- Inspire and empower teams to deliver high-quality outcomes at pace
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