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- Tasks: Lead complex engineering programmes and drive execution in a high-performance environment.
- Company: Dynamic aerospace and defence company focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, 28 days leave, competitive pension, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Opportunity for ongoing learning, development, and regular team activities.
- Why this job: Shape international engineering programmes and make a real impact in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing engineering programmes and leading multidisciplinary teams.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead a complex portfolio of engineering programmes within a high-performance, technology-driven environment. This is a senior leadership role, responsible for delivering a mix of development and production programmes across the full lifecycle, spanning design, build, integration, and international delivery. You will play a key role in driving execution, strengthening customer relationships, and leading multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. Reporting to the Programme Director, you will take full ownership of a portfolio of programmes, ensuring delivery to time, cost, quality, and regulatory requirements. You will lead an Integrated Project Team, working closely with engineering, operations, commercial, and supply chain functions to ensure alignment and successful delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and govern a portfolio of programmes, ensuring delivery against schedule, cost, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Act as the primary interface for customers, stakeholders, and partners, managing relationships and expectations.
- Own planning, scheduling, scope, change control, and resource allocation across multiple programmes.
- Manage risks, issues, and opportunities, driving resolution and continuous improvement.
- Oversee financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
- Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and quality standards, maintaining audit readiness.
- Drive collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, removing blockers and aligning priorities.
- Support business development and bid activities, ensuring deliverable and commercially sound proposals.
- Maintain accountability for site health, safety, and operational compliance.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience managing complex engineering programmes or portfolios.
- Strong background in aerospace, defence, or other regulated industries.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced environments.
- Excellent stakeholder management and commercial awareness.
- Recognised project/programme management qualification.
- Strong experience with international customers and partners.
- Track record of delivering within a continuous improvement environment.
- Ability and willingness to travel within the UK and internationally.
What’s on Offer
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- 37.5-hour working week with early finish on Fridays.
- 28 days annual leave plus Christmas closure.
- Option to purchase additional leave.
- Competitive pension with employer contributions.
- Private medical insurance and income protection.
- Life assurance and employee assistance programme.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
- Wellbeing initiatives and employee benefits platform.
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
- Regular social and team activities.
Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance, including meeting residency requirements. This is a high-impact leadership role offering the opportunity to shape and deliver complex, international engineering programmes. You will be at the forefront of programme execution, driving performance, innovation, and collaboration across a diverse and highly skilled organisation.
Senior Programme Manager in Reading employer: Holt Executive Ltd
Contact Detail:
Holt Executive Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and aerospace sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their portfolio and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to showcase your skills in managing complex programmes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led multidisciplinary teams and delivered on time and budget. We love hearing about real-life experiences that demonstrate your leadership and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team and help us drive innovation in engineering programmes.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in managing complex engineering programmes and leading multidisciplinary teams, as this will show us you’re a great fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience with international customers and your approach to stakeholder management.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you deliver a project under budget or ahead of schedule? We love numbers, so let us see how you’ve made an impact in your previous positions!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands quickly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Holt Executive Ltd
✨Know Your Programmes Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the engineering programmes you’ll be managing. Understand the lifecycle from design to delivery, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. This shows you’re not just familiar with the role but genuinely interested in their projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Programme Manager, your ability to lead multidisciplinary teams is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style, how you've resolved conflicts, and how you’ve driven teams towards successful outcomes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
This role requires excellent stakeholder management skills. Think of instances where you’ve successfully managed customer expectations or navigated complex relationships. Be ready to discuss how you maintain communication and alignment across various functions, as this will be key in your new role.
✨Prepare for Regulatory Discussions
Given the highly regulated environment, brush up on relevant regulations and compliance standards in aerospace or defence. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past projects and how you plan to maintain audit readiness in future programmes.