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- Tasks: Lead integrated product teams to ensure successful product delivery and lifecycle management.
- Company: Join Thales, a leader in defence and heavy engineering, making a global impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, half-day Fridays, and generous leave options.
- Why this job: This role offers a chance to blend technical expertise with leadership in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience in operations or engineering within defence or heavy engineering.
- Other info: Security clearance required; UK residency for the last 5 years preferred.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Belfast - (hybrid working arrangement – 4 days per week on site)
Are you an experienced senior leader in operations/programme/engineering management, within a defence or heavy engineering environment? Are you looking for your next high-profile role that will give you the opportunity to use a mix of your technical expertise and leadership skills? We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Product Delivery to join our Integrated Airspace-Protection Systems (IAS) UK team in Belfast.
Core Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Performance-related bonus
- Company car allowance
- Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
- 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
- 24 hours volunteering paid for
- Private healthcare (grade dependent)
- Pension scheme
- Life cover
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
Key responsibilities:
As IAS UK Head of Product Delivery you will be responsible for leading multiple, integrated product teams to ensure the successful development, manufacture, and delivery of IAS UK products. You will ensure positive customer outcomes are realised by resilient, world-class, managed products, delivered to cost, schedule, and performance requirements. This is a critical leadership role accountable for the successful management of the full product lifecycle, from initial market release to integration into broader system solutions.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and managing multiple, integrated product teams to deliver products on time, within budget, and to specification.
- Building and maintaining strategic long term relationships with the supply chain and critical partners to assure resilience and overall market demand is understood.
- Supporting business winning through continuous maintenance of validated product baselines for bids.
- Strategic & Business Alignment.
- People & Resource Management.
- Governance & Performance Management.
About you:
- Proven experience as a senior leader in an Operations/Programme/Engineering management role within a defence or heavy engineering environment.
- Experience in both commercial and operational aspects of business planning.
- The ability to act independently, impartially and objectively - questioning and challenging while seeking consensus.
- Knowledge and understanding of the total product lifecycle- including manufacturing, supply chain and technologies.
- Expertise in identifying and mitigating technical and operational risk during lengthy development and deployment cycles.
Security Clearance statement:
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a Non-ITAR country may be considered. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
Head of Product employer: Thales
Contact Detail:
Thales Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the defence and heavy engineering sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and technologies in product delivery within the defence sector. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in managing integrated product teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully delivered products on time and within budget in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand the importance of security clearance for this role. If you don’t already have SC clearance, research the process and be prepared to discuss your residency in the UK, as this is a key requirement for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in operations, programme, or engineering management within a defence or heavy engineering environment. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and technical expertise relevant to the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for applying for the Head of Product Delivery position. Emphasise your proven experience in managing product lifecycles and your ability to build strategic relationships with partners.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In your application, focus on key achievements that showcase your ability to deliver products on time and within budget. Mention any successful projects where you managed multiple teams and ensured positive customer outcomes.
Understand Security Clearance Requirements: Familiarise yourself with the security clearance requirements for the role. If you currently hold SC clearance, mention it in your application. If not, be prepared to discuss your eligibility and willingness to undergo the necessary checks.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Head of Product Delivery, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in operations or engineering management within a defence or heavy engineering context.
✨Understand the Product Lifecycle
Demonstrate your knowledge of the total product lifecycle. Be ready to explain how you have managed products from initial market release through to integration, highlighting any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Emphasise Strategic Relationships
Building and maintaining strategic relationships is key for this role. Prepare to talk about your experience in managing partnerships with suppliers and critical partners, and how these relationships have contributed to successful project outcomes.
✨Prepare for Security Clearance Questions
Since this role requires Security Clearance, be ready to discuss your eligibility and any previous experience with security protocols. Familiarise yourself with the requirements and be honest about your background to ensure a smooth process.
