Head of ICS in Southampton

Head of ICS in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead teams in integrating complex communication systems for Airborne and Maritime domains.
  • Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving creativity and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping innovative technology.
  • Qualifications: Proven strategy execution experience and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

Your Impact:

A Head of IOS is required within the CEMA & IOS Sector to lead multiple programme teams that specialise in the integration of complex communication systems across the Airborne and Maritime domains. The Head of IOS will be responsible for delivering the IOS strategy and growing the IBP supported by a highly capable and driven IOS Leadership Team, that will include multi-discipline programme and campaign teams. The role will be primarily based out of Southampton, adopting the Leonardo Ways of Working practice that includes a proportion of home and flexible working.

Key Responsibility Areas

  • Defines and implements the strategy and standards for the Business Area working closely with the Capability/CTO function and portfolio managers.
  • Deliver and promote the Business Area Strategy and objectives.
  • Manages the Business Area execution and control activities against the strategy, contributing to the development of the strategy for the Sector, LoB and division.
  • Leadership of the IOS portfolio across all aspects of the lifecycle for products and capabilities.
  • Responsible for establishing campaign and delivery organisational breakdown structures (OBS) within the IOS Business Area underpinning business area execution and growth within the CEMA & IOS Sector, ensuring each role is well defined and addressable.
  • Anticipate, mitigate and manage Business Area dependencies, risks and synergies in support of increased business performance through the prioritisation and balance of resources.
  • Establish, build and influence internal and external stakeholders, using business management skills that foster collaborative strategic partnerships and frameworks underpinning our strategy and future growth.
  • Encourage positive relationships, develop effective team working, empower and inspire individuals.
  • Direct line management of team who will be responsible for programme delivery and execution.
  • Internally reporting directly to the Vice President CEMA & IOS.
  • Representing the Business Area at Sector, Line of Business & Divisional Level reviews.
  • Ensure adherence to Company's Lifecycle Management (LCM), as appropriate and tailored to suit.

What You'll Bring:

  • Proven success in developing, implementing and executing strategies for business outcomes.
  • Strong commercial and business acumen with the ability to understand financial metrics, market dynamics and organisational objectives.
  • Experience of managing high-profile, defence or security, high-intensity delivery programmes.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplined functional teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate with multiple senior stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated strong Customer relationship skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • APM Project Management Qualification or equivalent.
  • UK citizen.
  • Eligibility for UK SC Clearance.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

  • Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
  • Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
  • Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
  • Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
  • Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
  • Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
  • Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website. Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location: GB - Southampton

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid

Head of ICS in Southampton employer: Leonardo UK Ltd

At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Head of ICS role based in Southampton. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, which includes generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to mental health support. We foster a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and flexible working arrangements, ensuring that our employees thrive both personally and professionally.

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Contact Details:

Leonardo UK Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of ICS in Southampton

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of ICS in Southampton

Strategic Planning
Business Acumen
Programme Management
Stakeholder Management
Team Leadership
Communication Skills
Risk Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

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Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Leonardo UK Ltd, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

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How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK Ltd

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Leonardo UK Ltd.

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Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Leonardo UK Ltd. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

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