Programme Manager

Overview

As the Business Lead for Mission Support, you set the vision and strategy for a portfolio of mission enablement software products across defence platforms. You lead an IPT-style team, balancing resources and driving performance to deliver current operations and new capabilities by 2030. You work with sales to win opportunities, manage stakeholder networks, and ensure alignment with Leonardo’s lifecycle processes. This role combines strategic leadership with cross-functional execution in a dynamic, regulated defence environment.

Pay / Benefits

• generous leave (up to 12 flexi-days/year)
• pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
• mental health support
• bonus scheme
• access to 4,000+ online courses
• hybrid working

Responsibilities

• Set vision and 5-year plan for Mission Support in collaboration with sales and capability functions
• Lead Integrated Campaign teams to secure new business opportunities
• Line-manage and coach the project management team
• Prioritise resources and manage cross-portfolio dependencies to improve performance
• Ensure project execution adheres to Leonardo’s Life-Cycle Management principles
• Manage the customer community through project execution and reporting to VP IMS
• Guide the IPT through monthly portfolio performance reviews

Key requirements

• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience in complex project execution with risk and opportunity management
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to lead by example and foster a one-team culture
• Financial and commercial acumen with negotiation skills
• Autonomous, proactive mindset
• Collaborative work with internal and external teams
• Security clearance eligibility (BPSS/NSV) potentially required

• cross-functional collaboration
• strategic thinking
• effective communication
• IT / software product development experience
• project management experience
• experience in defence or regulated industry

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