Location
Crawley, United Kingdom. Hybrid role with 3 days a week in the office, occasional travel to Prime (Glasgow)/BL (France) & Customer/Supplier facilities.
About the Role
Do you have experience of managing the effective delivery of complex projects/programmes and would like to join ISR to lead their most exciting and critical programme? Do you have a passion for driving innovative solutions within electronic warfare?
What the role has to offer
- Opportunity to work within a growing business line particularly within electronic warfare
- Exposure to an extensive network of key stakeholders and the opportunity for professional development and career progression
- Opportunity to help improve continuous improvement and explore new ways of working
- This role is a key succession position and a solid development opportunity for future senior programme leadership
What we offer you
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Performance‑related bonus
- Half‑day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
- Pension scheme
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Life cover
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental well‑being app
- Employee discount schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
- Career development support
Our Opportunity
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Projects to join our Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) team in Crawley. The successful candidate will be responsible for the successful delivery of a large, complex programme. The role requires a hands‑on leader with experience in managing multi‑disciplinary, high‑profile design and development programmes and an ability to oversee Programme Managers (PMs) and Engineering Delivery Managers (EDMs) that manage the key phases on the programme. You will champion delivery performance, project controls, financial predictability, stakeholder engagement and serve as a key successor for future programme leadership roles.
Key Areas Of Responsibilities
- Programme Leadership – Provide strategic direction, leadership and governance of the programme.
- Project Controls & Metrics – Establish, monitor and report on programme metrics.
- Financial Management – Ensure financial predictability and manage budget, cost forecasts and funding.
- Stakeholder Management – Engage and influence senior stakeholders at UK and international levels.
- Team Development & Motivation – Inspire, motivate and develop high‑performing teams.
- Risk & Issue Management – Identify, assess and mitigate programme risks and issues.
About You
- Significant recent experience delivering large‑scale, complex defence or engineering programmes, preferably with a naval or electronic warfare focus.
- Demonstrable leadership in programme/project environments with practical oversight of project controls, scheduling and financial management.
- Proven success motivating, inspiring and developing high‑performing teams.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to engage credibly at senior management, partner and customer levels, both UK and international.
- Skilled in stakeholder management and building effective working relationships.
- Highly analytical, with a pragmatic approach to problem solving.
- Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational and tactical programme needs.
Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)
From smart sensors (Electronic Warfare & Surveillance radars) to integrated collaborative mission systems for manned, unmanned and digital platforms, we enable the gathering, processing and interpretation of a vast range of critical information – sovereign, structured and open‑source. This information is trusted and used at the highest levels to help nations make the right decisions at the right time and achieve the right outcomes.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of the work we do at Thales, many roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if already held, otherwise the applicant must undergo, achieve and maintain SC clearance prior to commencing employment.
Equal Opportunity
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. We support diversity and inclusion in our workplace.
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