Build Strategy Lead in Belfast

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state‑of‑the‑art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state‑owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well‑positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

We are seeking a strategic and results‑driven Build Strategy Lead to define, plan, and execute strategies for building and scaling our product, operations, or infrastructure—adjust based on company context. The ideal candidate will combine analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and hands‑on execution to ensure that our build initiatives align with business objectives, drive efficiency, and maximise long‑term value.

• Develop and own the build strategy for production, ensuring alignment with the company’s long‑term vision and objectives.
• Conduct market, competitive, and internal analysis to identify opportunities, risks, and gaps in current build processes.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Product, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to design scalable build plans and initiatives.
• Define KPIs, metrics, and reporting frameworks to track progress and measure the impact of build initiatives.
• Provide strategic guidance and thought leadership on best practices, trends, and innovative approaches to building and scaling efficiently.
• Lead or support pilot programs and proof‑of‑concept initiatives to validate strategic recommendations before full‑scale implementation.
• Communicate strategy, progress, and outcomes clearly to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in build processes, identifying opportunities for optimisation and increased efficiency.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Strategy, or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in strategy, operations, product, or build‑related leadership roles.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, project execution, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic initiatives from concept to execution.

Equal Opportunity: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role online, please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

Competitive salary, Company pension, Life Assurance, L&D opportunities.

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination. We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.