At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead customer programmes and develop new opportunities in the defence sector.
- Company: International defence technology business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and significant ownership of customer relationships.
- Other info: Dynamic role with long-term growth opportunities in an international environment.
- Why this job: Combine business development and programme delivery for impactful defence projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in defence sector, strong stakeholder management, and technical understanding.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are supporting an international defence technology business in appointing a Senior Customer Programme Manager to help develop and deliver its growing UK portfolio. This is not a traditional programme management position. The successful person will combine customer-facing programme leadership with business development, helping identify and shape new opportunities with the UK MOD before retaining ownership through contract award, delivery and customer acceptance.
The organisation develops specialist communications technology for military users operating in demanding environments. This is an opportunity to take significant ownership of its UK customer relationships and play a central role in both business growth and programme delivery.
The Role
You will act as the senior customer interface across a portfolio of UK defence programmes, working closely with military users, procurement stakeholders, defence primes and internal technical teams. Your responsibilities will span the complete customer lifecycle. This will include understanding emerging operational requirements, developing new opportunities, supporting capture and bids, and leading resulting programmes through integration, delivery and acceptance. You will work across engineering, operations, supply chain and commercial functions to ensure that proposed solutions are technically credible, commercially viable and successfully delivered.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop trusted relationships across the UK MOD, DE&S, military users and relevant defence partners
- Identify, qualify and shape new customer opportunities
- Support capture activity, bids, tenders, demonstrations and commercial proposals
- Translate operational requirements into deliverable technical solutions
- Lead customer programmes from contract award through integration, delivery and acceptance
- Act as the principal interface between the customer and internal delivery teams
- Manage programme scope, budgets, schedules, risks, dependencies and reporting
- Coordinate engineering, commercial, supply-chain and operational stakeholders
- Maintain customer confidence when resolving technical or delivery challenges
- Identify follow-on opportunities and support long-term account growth
- Represent the organisation at customer meetings, industry events and trials
- Travel within the UK and internationally when required
About You
We are looking for someone who can operate confidently across both business winning and programme delivery. You may currently work in business development, account management, capture, customer programme management or programme leadership within the defence sector. Your job title is less important than your ability to develop opportunities, build credibility with customers and remain accountable through delivery.
You will ideally bring:
- Experience working with the UK MOD, DE&S, Armed Forces or UK defence primes
- A strong track record in customer-facing defence or technology programmes
- Experience supporting or leading business development, capture, bids or tenders
- The ability to understand and discuss complex technical products or systems
- Strong commercial awareness and confidence working around contracts and budgets
- Experience coordinating cross-functional engineering and delivery teams
- Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills
- The ability to take ownership and operate effectively within a growing international business
- Experience within tactical communications, secure communications, soldier systems, C4ISR, military electronics or mission-critical technology would be particularly valuable.
What’s on Offer
- A competitive package with genuine flexibility for the right person
- Hybrid working and a high degree of autonomy
- Ownership of strategically important UK customer relationships
- Exposure to specialist defence communications technology
- The opportunity to influence both future growth and programme delivery
- An international environment with long-term development opportunities
This role would suit someone who does not want to choose between sales and delivery. You will have the opportunity to help create new business, win it and remain accountable for delivering what was promised.
Senior Defence Business & Programme Manager in London employer: Hays
Join a vibrant secondary school that prioritises excellence in education and fosters a supportive community for both students and staff. As the Head of Mathematics, you will benefit from a competitive salary, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and growth. This role not only allows you to lead a dedicated team but also to make a significant impact on student achievement in a welcoming environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Defence Business & Programme Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Senior Defence Business & Programme Manager at Hays!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Hays or be willing to refer you for that Senior Defence Business & Programme Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Hays who’s on the lookout for their next Senior Defence Business & Programme Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Senior Defence Business & Programme Manager role at Hays!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Defence Business & Programme Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Hays. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Hays. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
