Group Head of Quality in Hampshire

The Group Head of Quality is responsible for developing and delivering a quality improvement plan across QinetiQ, to realise an effective and efficient delivery in all aspects. The role works closely with Project Management, Engineering and Operations functions to drive, through process improvement, operational efficiencies and robust measures, continually increasing levels of performance. The role drives the highest standards of process and behaviour, to enable the business to operate a safe, right first‑time approach.

Key Accountabilities

• Set and drive the strategy for quality across QinetiQ, working across businesses, functions and geographies to set practical and challenging targets to improve quality performance.
• Lead the provision of suitable quality support to bids and projects to ensure plans and delivery are fit for purpose and realise customer contracted expectations.
• Own and ensure the efficient operation of standards across the Group, including ISO 9001, TickIT Plus, aviation standards (EASA pt 21J and pt 21G, BS EN 9100), scoping and delivering additional standards as required.
• Drive the understanding and practice of quality methodologies across the business, applying tools and techniques to realise improvements.
• Working with the People function, enable a strong quality culture, driving for a right first‑time ethos across the Group.
• Ensure compliance with national/international standards (e.g., ISO) and regulatory requirements, while identifying risks and implementing mitigation actions.
• Oversee quality assurance and control teams, manage quality audits, and manage supplier quality requirements.
• Lead the delivery of initiatives to reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and improve product quality using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Monitor, analyse, and report at senior levels on key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate quality trends and customer feedback.
• Mentor and train quality staff, providing tools and techniques to achieve quality standards.

Key Capabilities/Knowledge

• Strong leadership skills, with a proven track record of driving positive change across multiple countries, sites with a mix of services and products.
• Proven track record of delivering a culture of quality and continuous improvement across a range of environments (offices, workshops, labs, etc.).
• A positive and encouraging attitude to challenges, enabling the motivation of direct and indirect teams to achieve goals.
• Excellent interpersonal communication in both verbal and written forms, at all levels from operational staff up to and including board level.
• A good working knowledge of applicable regulation and associated legislation.
• A pragmatic thinker, able to identify both process improvement opportunities and where to apply flexibility/robustness to deliver outcomes.
• A strong ‘people person’, with the ability to work with and influence many different people.
• Ability to challenge and question people, process and systems in a direct but non‑offensive and tactful manner.

Experience & Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience at a leadership level, leading quality in a technical environment.
• Experience of multi domain quality organisations, including but not limited to aviation, ordnance, munitions and explosives, high energy systems.
• Appropriately aligned technical qualifications (MCQI, IIA) desirable.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance.
• Competitive holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days.
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance.
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more.
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community.

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in. Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.