Programme Controls Manager

Purpose

ACS UK is establishing a dedicated Programme Controls capability to improve programme delivery, predictability, governance, and decision-making across the business.

As the first Programme Controls Manager, you will play a pivotal role in creating and embedding the Programme Controls framework, standards, processes, and culture across ACS UK. Working closely with Programme Managers, Finance, Engineering, Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain, and senior leadership, you will provide the insight, challenge, and early warning needed to support successful programme delivery.

This is a hands-on role with strategic responsibility, requiring someone who can build a capability from the ground up while directly supporting key programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Controls Capability Development

• Establish and implement the ACS UK Programme Controls framework, standards, governance, and ways of working.
• Define controls requirements based on programme size and complexity.
• Develop processes for planning, scheduling, cost control, forecasting, risk and opportunity management, change control, and performance reporting.
• Build a roadmap for future Programme Controls capability and team growth.
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, continuous improvement, and proactive programme management.

Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain resource and cost-loaded integrated programme schedules.
• Establish planning standards, methodologies, templates, and best practices.
• Analyse schedules, critical paths, dependencies, milestones, and resource requirements.
• Identify schedule risks, provide early warning, and support programme mobilisation, recovery, re-baselining, and major change activities.

Cost & Performance Management

• Develop effective cost control and forecasting processes in partnership with Finance and Commercial teams.
• Provide integrated cost and schedule performance reporting.
• Establish KPIs and performance measures across programmes and portfolios.
• Implement Earned Value Management (EVM) or equivalent performance management methodologies.
• Identify emerging issues and deviations before they impact programme delivery.

Risk, Change & Configuration Control

• Integrate programme controls with risk and opportunity management processes.
• Establish baseline management and change-control procedures.
• Assess impacts of proposed changes on scope, schedule, cost, and resources.
• Ensure approved changes are consistently reflected in plans, forecasts, and reporting.

Reporting, Governance & Assurance

• Create a consistent programme reporting framework providing forward-looking insights rather than historic status updates.
• Establish a single view of programme performance covering schedule, cost, risk, change, and delivery.
• Support governance reviews, programme assurance activities, health checks, and recovery plans.
• Provide independent challenge and assurance of programme plans, forecasts, and performance.
• Support development and utilisation of Power BI and other digital reporting tools.

Business Integration & Capability Building

• Build strong relationships across Programme Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, Quality, and Business Development.
• Ensure programme controls are fully integrated across business functions.
• Coach Programme Managers and project teams on programme controls best practice.
• Develop training, tools, templates, competencies, and guidance.
• Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Performance Measures

• Programme schedule and milestone achievement.
• Accuracy and timeliness of forecasting and reporting.
• Compliance with programme governance and controls processes.
• Effective management of risks, issues, actions, and changes.
• Stakeholder confidence and quality of decision-support information.
• Continuous improvement of programme controls capability and delivery performance.

Key Challenges

• Establishing programme controls capability across multiple programmes.
• Improving programme predictability through robust planning and forecasting.
• Delivering accurate performance data for leadership decision-making.
• Driving cross-functional adoption of programme controls best practice.
• Managing competing priorities within a complex aerospace manufacturing environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience within Programme Controls, Project Controls, PMO, or a related programme management discipline.
• Experience within aerospace, defence, engineering, manufacturing, or other complex regulated environments.
• Strong experience in programme planning and scheduling using MS Project or similar tools.
• Experience in cost control, forecasting, performance management, and risk management.
• Experience developing and implementing programme controls frameworks, standards, or governance processes.
• Demonstrated experience establishing or improving a Programme Controls or PMO capability.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to transform complex data into actionable insights.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with Power BI, Power Query, risk management tools, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Experience integrating financial and programme performance data.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.

Desirable

• Degree qualified in Business, Engineering, Project Management, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification such as APM, PMI, EVM, Project Controls, or similar.

Personal Attributes

• Comfortable building a function from the ground up.
• Commercially and operationally minded.
• Able to balance detailed analysis with strategic decision support.
• Confident challenging stakeholders constructively.
• Collaborative, proactive, and results focused.
• Capable of creating structure without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Comfortable operating in an evolving and ambiguous environment.

Location & Travel

• Based at ACS Bournemouth.
• Willingness to travel to company and supplier sites as required.
• Flexibility to support business needs outside normal working hours when necessary.

AVIC Cabin Systems UK Ltd is an equal opportunities employer

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