Deputy Programme Director in Reading

At Amentum, we're not just solving problems; we're engineering the future. Our team is driven by an unyielding commitment to innovation, integrity, and collaboration, tackling some of the most significant challenges in science, security, and sustainability. If you're passionate about making a real impact and want to be part of a community that values ethical excellence, this is the place where your ambition can thrive. Here, we believe that success comes from continuously pushing boundaries and working together to deliver on our promises. We embrace challenges with confidence and are dedicated to creating a secure and vibrant future for all. We’ll inspire and empower you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow. We offer an exciting range of opportunities to develop your career within a supportive team who always strive to do the right thing for our people, clients and communities. Work‑life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for us. We’re happy to discuss hybrid, part‑time and flexible working hours, patterns and locations to suit you and our business.

About the Opportunity

We are recruiting for a senior role supporting the Programme Director directly. In this role you would deputise and have full delegation to oversee performance and interface with the client. As Deputy Programme Director you will be accountable to the Programme Director and provide direction and oversight on our existing and future programmes consistent with the contractual commitments and expectations of the business, engage at the front end of proposals and expand them to be effective and in compliance with requirements for each project phase. You will give direction and support to our project and client organisations in developing full project life cycle strategies in challenging, complex, regulated environments encompassing research, development, design, manufacture, test, installation, commissioning, pre‑operations and transition to operational service. This position is recognised as an expert in complex programme and project challenges with particular focus on delivery of complex projects for both nuclear and non‑nuclear manufacturing facilities within our projects and client organisations. This role will require strong relationship, collaboration and commercial skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of contract proposals and ensure deliverable plans are in place, including necessary resources and supply chain strategies.
• Oversee the development and adherence to the Project Execution Plans for all phases of projects and communicate and coordinate the implementation of enhancements to the project teams and across the portfolio.
• Lead project performance and internal accountabilities for projects reporting status against key performance indicators, schedule goals, key milestones, financial, EV and commercial on a routine basis.
• Review the key performance measures and contractual metrics defined within the contract, providing direction on corrective measures when performance is outside acceptable tolerances.
• Review project risks and opportunities and ensure portfolio and business risk are addressed and support the projects to be successful.
• Work alongside and be accountable to the Programme Director in the development, updating, and meeting the financial goals of the business unit.
• Support the development of annual operating budgets in cooperation with customer, business manager or group’s financial department.
• Ensure accurate monthly forecasts of cost, schedule, and resource utilisation are developed and reported on a routine basis.
• Work with Business Development to increase scope of services on existing contracts and support the bids and proposal efforts on new contracts.
• Work closely with Project Directors, Sr. Project Directors, and/or Project Managers in the delivery of their assigned projects.
• Prepare the next generation of Project Managers and leaders by providing opportunities through networking and mentoring.
• Recognise and provide the necessary support to the members of the team by maintaining a high sense of emotional intelligence of the team dynamics.
• Lead organisational continuous improvement efforts on the group’s journey of becoming a high‑performing team.
• Participate in periodic updates, strategic development, and negotiations with clients.
• Lead formal presentations to clients and/or management with support of others.
• Be attentive to and recognise the client leadership direction and strategic planning enabling early engagement supporting Amentum’s efforts to be the supplier of choice.
• Represent Amentum in a professional manner and uphold the values of the company to the client.
• Engage collaboratively with client representatives, supporting effective delivery and relationships.
• Work well with the supply chain and our delivery partners, building collaborative relationships and contacts.
• Perform all other position‑related duties as assigned or requested.

Here’s What You’ll Need

• Ideally hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related scientific field and have proven years of senior plant operational experience.
• Ideally Chartered.
• Demonstrated capability to interface with customers and provide direction to technically qualified personnel.
• Excellent communications and analytical skills; able to demonstrate and apply principles and theory underpinning operational practices and legislative standards in the delivery of large complex programmes and facilities.
• Experienced in dealing with regulators, developing solutions, stakeholder relations to maintain legislative compliance and plant functionality.
• Ability to gain SC Clearance.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team.