Head of Programmes in Reading

Malloy Aeronautics Limited specializes in the development of heavy lift unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for both civilian and military uses. Located in Berkshire, our operations are notable for their focus on in-house design and manufacturing. This vertical integration means we control the production of most aircraft components on-site, enhancing our ability to innovate and maintain high standards across all stages of development.

The Head of Programmes is responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of Malloy Aeronautics programmes, working closely with Engineering on cutting-edge R&D programmes, and with Operations delivering our Full Rate Production programmes. This role owns programme delivery across the full product lifecycle, from campaigns, new business proposals, product design and development, production, contract bidding, and in-service support. The role is the focal point in the business for delivery performance, coordinating across departments to ensure programmes are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

The Head of Programmes will lead project management practices, drive innovation and best practice, and manage stakeholder relationships to achieve the company’s objectives. A key aspect of the stakeholder management is the customer-facing aspect, ensuring customers are well informed and managed during the delivery phase of programmes. Excellence in programme delivery drives future business.

Ability to hold Security Clearance – 5 years residence in the UK.

What you’ll be doing (but not limited to):

• Programme Oversight: Oversee the planning, execution, and closing of projects, ensuring they meet the predefined criteria for success. This includes managing resources, timelines, and budgets.
• Lead, develop, and scale the Programme Management function, establishing standards, processes, and templates to support future organisational growth.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and managing expectations.
• Programme Governance & Reporting: Oversee and manage the governance structure of programs, ensuring alignment with organisational standards and strategic objectives. Responsible for the accurate and timely reporting of programme status, risks, and achievements to stakeholders.
• Ensure all projects adhere to industry standards and regulations, maintaining high quality and safety standards.
• Lead the continued establishment, and optimisation of, project management processes and best practices within the business, including Risk Management, Scheduling, and business-wide Resource Planning.
• Integrated Business Planning: Through programme delivery and supporting processes, contribute to the business' strategic Integrated Business Planning process, facilitating cross-functional collaboration to align financial, operational, and strategic plans across the organisation.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor project managers and other team members, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in project delivery.
• Act as the senior escalation authority for delivery performance, risk, and customer commitments, ensuring timely resolution and governance discipline.
• Bid Preparation: Co-lead the preparation of bids and proposals for new projects, ensuring they meet client requirements and highlight the company’s strengths in heavy-lift drone applications.
• Financial Management: Develop and manage the programme’s budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and financial sustainability working together with the Head of Finance.

Additional Accountabilities:

• Resource management and optimisation: working together with the wider organization, understanding the needs of each department and the needs of the programmes, both internally and externally funded.
• Lead and embed high standards of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) across all programmes, ensuring compliance with company policies and promoting proactive risk awareness.
• Support and lead organisational change and transformation initiatives, driving adoption of improved ways of working across the portfolio.

Essential Skills and Experiences:

• Project / Programme / Portfolio management background in Aerospace, Defence, or a related industry.
• Lead, inspire, and influence cross-functional teams within a matrix organisation to meet the success criteria for your projects.
• Comprehensive understanding of how all Functions integrate to deliver the programme on time and cost.
• Understanding of other competitors' products and USP’s to influence the development of the business.
• Experienced leader with knowledge and capability in Project Management, Business delivery/execution, and engineering early lifecycle.
• Experience in leading and managing complex Programmes from initiation to closure phase of the project life cycle.
• Occasional travel to various sites and global locations may be required on an ad-hoc basis.
• Commercial awareness including bid strategy, margin and cost control.
• Experience operating within structured programme governance and lifecycle frameworks.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

• Strong communicator both verbally and written.
• Strong collaborator with the ability to interact with the business to develop effective working relationships and be flexible in a changing environment.
• Proactive, forward thinker with the ability to tailor processes where appropriate.
• Proven track record of programme delivery.
• Ability to establish a control environment within a growing business.
• Strong financial forecasting and performance management capability.
• Project Management Degree, MBA or MSc in Programme Management desirable.
• Significant experience of running complex programmes in fast-moving R&D and rate production environments.
• Relevant Engineering Degree with Programme Engineering management experience also acceptable.
• APMQ qualification required, Chartered PM status desirable (PMI equivalents are acceptable).

Benefits you may be eligible for:

• Working Environment: 9-day fortnight.
• Free parking, free lunch on working Fridays, fruit twice a week, tea and coffee.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Discretionary Employee Incentive Bonus Scheme.
• Employee Share Incentive Plan (BAE Systems).
• Company Sick Pay.
• Enhanced Parental Leave.
• Healthcare Cash Plan including Virtual GP, Dental Cover, Vision Cover, Discounted Gym Membership, and much more! Free coverage for children up to 24 years old.
• 20 days Annual Leave, increasing with long service, plus 3 days Christmas shutdown.
• Employee Assistance Programme (24hr Helpline).
• Mental Health First Aiders.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Casual Dress.
• Bronze Level Armed Forces Covenant which signals our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces.

Why Malloy Aeronautics?

Our company benefits from a streamlined process where engineering teams are involved in the entire lifecycle of our UAVs - from initial design through to production. This setup not only speeds up the development process but also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our product launches. We value professionals who have a background in both research and development (R&D) and design for manufacture, as their expertise is crucial to our rapid and precise product development cycle.

Malloy Aeronautics employees will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.

Malloy Aeronautics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessments or interviewing, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Note: If you have not heard from our recruitment department within 14 days, unfortunately you have not been successful.

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