Delivery Director in Stevenage

Akkodis is a global leader in engineering, technology, and R&D, harnessing the power of connected data to drive digital transformation and innovation for a smarter, more sustainable future. As part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis employs over 50,000 engineers and digital specialists across 30 countries in North America, EMEA, and APAC. Our teams bring extensive cross-sector knowledge in critical technology areas such as mobility, software services, robotics, simulations, cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics, enabling clients to tackle complex challenges in today’s rapidly evolving markets.

With a comprehensive solution portfolio across four service lines—Consulting, Solutions, Talents, and Academy—Akkodis supports clients from concept through to full-scale deployment and optimisation. Our diverse offerings help organisations rethink product development, accelerate productivity, reduce time-to-market, and prepare for the future. At Akkodis, you’ll join a dynamic environment that values continuous learning and global collaboration, where you can make a meaningful impact through innovative projects that shape the future of technology.

Scope

The Delivery Director – Digital is accountable for the strategic leadership and successful delivery of complex digital programmes across data migration, software development, systems integration, cloud services, and broader IT functions. This is a senior leadership role requiring extensive experience delivering within the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and government environments, alongside proven capability in managing senior stakeholders in highly complex, regulated settings.

You will define and execute the Digital Solutions delivery strategy, ensuring consistent performance, quality, governance, and alignment across all programmes. The role blends strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, translating organisational vision into executable delivery plans while driving client satisfaction, commercial performance, and sustainable growth.

Role

• Define and deliver the strategic vision for Digital Solutions, translating objectives into clear, actionable delivery plans.
• Provide end-to-end accountability for programme delivery, ensuring solutions meet agreed scope, milestones, quality standards, budgets, and contractual obligations.
• Lead and mentor Senior Programme Managers and Project Managers to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery outcomes.
• Proactively identify delivery risks, issues, and dependencies, implementing effective mitigation strategies to protect outcomes.
• Optimise resource allocation across programmes, ensuring effective utilisation of skills and capability.
• Track and report programme performance using agreed KPIs (e.g. On-Time Delivery, Quality, Customer Satisfaction).
• Own financial performance across programmes, driving cost control, productivity improvements, and margin optimisation.
• Ensure business continuity, disaster recovery, and security considerations are embedded across delivery activities.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and delivery approaches to enhance capability and performance.

Governance, Stakeholder & Commercial Management

• Act as a senior point of contact for MOD 1* stakeholders, maintaining transparency, trust, and alignment on delivery progress.
• Lead robust governance frameworks across programmes, ensuring compliance with contractual, security, and regulatory requirements.
• Assess and manage the commercial and contractual implications of delivery decisions, proactively mitigating risk.
• Provide consultative leadership to clients and internal teams, supporting strategic decision-making and long-term outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Practices, Talent Acquisition, Transformation, and Bid teams to support successful delivery and growth.
• Build and maintain strong senior-level client relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and retention.
• Provide regular, clear reporting to the Head of Operations on delivery, risk, and performance.

People & Capability Leadership

• Define and maintain an effective programme and delivery organisation aligned to current and future customer demand.
• Recruit, appoint, and manage Senior Programme Managers and Senior Project Managers, ensuring the right skills and experience are in place.
• Lead performance management, coaching, and career development across the delivery leadership community.
• Oversee resourcing strategy, including bench management, to support programme continuity and scalability.
• Ensure ongoing development of technical, delivery, and leadership capability through targeted training and development plans.

Required Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience delivering complex digital and IT programmes (data migration, software development, integration, cloud services, End User Compute).
• Strong track record working within the UK MOD and wider government environments.
• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary technical teams in complex, stakeholder-rich programmes.
• Demonstrable success delivering against operational KPIs, financial targets, and quality standards.
• Experience operating within robust governance, security, and regulatory frameworks.

Required Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into executable delivery outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen, including financial oversight and cost optimisation.
• Exceptional senior-level stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Expertise in resource planning, risk management, and programme prioritisation.
• Solid understanding of Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid delivery methodologies and PMO integration.
• Highly analytical with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Technically literate, able to engage confidently across engineering and IT delivery contexts.

Required Education or Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or a related discipline (Master’s degree advantageous but not essential).
• Equivalent senior-level commercial experience will be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, SAFe, or ITIL are desirable.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in leadership, programme delivery, or strategic operations is highly valued.