Programme Manager (Through Life Support) in Portsmouth

Location: Portsmouth Naval Base

Salary: Up to £72,000 depending on skills and experience + 12.5% bonus and car allowance

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

Role Description:

You will be responsible for maintaining T45 Class Output Management (COM) programme output and deputising for the Team Leader when required, while overseeing the safe and efficient delivery of key operations. You will support and promote safety, compliance, and environmental standards, ensuring all activities are conducted in accordance with organisational requirements as well as coordinate the effective delivery of finances, resources, equipment, and personnel to meet operational and briefing demands, while communicating effectively with both internal teams and external stakeholders. You will also support training, competence development, and continuous improvement to enhance operational performance and team capability.

Core Duties:

• Own and lead the day-to-day delivery of Class Output Management (COM), ensuring operational performance meets safety, cost, schedule and quality requirements
• Responsible for driving financial performance across the class, including cost control and efficiency, whilst contributing to business growth through margin improvement and support to future contract opportunities
• Act as the primary operational interface for internal teams and stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment and manage working-level customer relationships, ensuring delivery commitments are understood and met
• Drive issue resolution, managing operational risks and escalating where appropriate
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and environmental standards across all activities
• Deliver accurate and timely operational performance reporting and management information
• Support the application of Project Management, Risk Management, and Lifecycle Management (LCM) principles within the T45 programme environment

Essential Skills:

• You will have proven experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a fast-paced operational or programme environment
• You will have demonstrated ability to manage day-to-day operations and deliver against demanding performance targets
• You will have strong understanding of project/programme delivery fundamentals within complex, matrix organisations
• You will have experience of managing operational risk, issue resolution, and performance under pressure
• You will have strong stakeholder management and communication skills across multiple levels and experience within the UK MOD or Naval domain (desirable)

The team:

The T45 Class Output Management (COM) Team coordinates maintenance, engineering, and availability planning for Type 45 destroyers, ensuring work packages are delivered efficiently, risks managed, and stakeholders aligned to keep each ship operational, safe, and ready for Royal Navy tasking.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 14th July 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.