Head of Programme Secondary- Submarines

Our Submarines business is world leading in propulsion system design and development for the Royal Navy's Nuclear Submarine Fleet. It is the sole provider and technical authority managing all aspects of plant design, safety, manufacture, performance and through-life support. The New Build & Components (NB&C) business unit is responsible for Component Delivery Engineering and New Build Programmes and is also responsible for the Barrow site integration teams. The focus for NB&C is on delivering Dreadnought, the UK's top defence priority and most important programme in a generation. This needs to be achieved while also maintaining our remaining Astute commitments and overcoming our challenges in the regeneration of our facilities and preparations for new product introduction programmes (SSN-AUKUS).

The Dreadnought class is the future replacement for the Vanguard class of ballistic missile submarines to enable the Royal Navy to maintain a continuous at-sea deterrent, the principle of operation behind the Trident system. The programme is part way through building the lead boat at the BAE Systems shipyard at Barrow in Furness and construction has commenced on the second boat HMS Valiant. The platform will use a number of components in the propulsion system that Rolls-Royce deliver directly to BAE Systems such as Turbo-Generators, Propulsor and Flexible Couplings which are managed by our Secondary Propulsion team in Derby.

The Head of Secondary Propulsion Programme within NB&C will provide leadership across the full breadth of the Rolls-Royce Secondary Propulsion programmes from securing contract placement for remaining scope and closing out the design to manufacture of components in the supply chain, managing the contract and financial performance and the integration with the build programme at Barrow. There are also key deliveries to complete in support of the final stages of the Astute build programme. The Head of Programme reports to the Programme & Site Integration Executive and has line management responsibility for the programme management teams assigned to Secondary Propulsion within NB&C.

The key accountability is to lead the teams to deliver the full range of commitments made to BAE Systems and the contract performance to the Submarines business. You’ll lead, engage and motivate the Secondary Propulsion Programme Management Team to operate at the highest standards and deliver exceptional service. Engaging the team in our mission and developing them to be the best they can be. Identifying, developing and implementing new processes and tools where required to support the team to deliver their projects.

You’ll be responsible for delivering the full range of commitments made by Rolls-Royce Submarines to BAE Systems. Delivering components to meet the cost, time and quality objectives. Providing credible forecasts of delivery performance to all stakeholders. Ensuring that the executive systems cascade the correct programme demand to the required areas. Leading programme reviews to provide quality information to the shipyard customer reports.

You’ll be responsible for the contract performance for the Secondary Propulsion contracts. Delivering the financial outcomes committed to the business and BAE Systems. Ensuring the programme and contract data is maintained at the standard required to feed all company and customer expectations. Deliver all bidding and contracting activity for Secondary Propulsion. You’ll be responsible for the project data held by the CAMs. Ensuring that data standards are in line with the programmes contractual requirements. Leading CAM reviews to provide quality information to programme reviews, contract packs and customer reports.

You’ll integrate across the Submarines Enterprise and within the Rolls-Royce Submarines business. Engaging and collaborating with BAE Systems teams to achieve the best outcome for the programme. Ensuring that the relationships across functional workstreams and organisational boundaries are in place to secure the required resources and dependencies.

Being a part of Rolls-Royce you’ll know we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form our behaviours. They are an essential component of our assessment process and are fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles. Leadership of people in a high pressure, challenging environment dealing with complex and ambiguous situations. Able to work through ambiguity to focus the team on the right priorities. Able to build strong relationships across organisational boundaries and influence key stakeholders who often have conflicting priorities by clearly articulating the situation in a constructive way. Highly collaborative using the strengths of a diverse team to deliver the programme objectives. Exposure to non-core project management roles such as purchasing, commercial, production engineering management etc will be a real asset in getting work done. Experience of managing complex contracts and projects in the supply chain a Production / Manufacturing environment with significant financial accountability. Significant level of personal resilience and persistence.

Please be aware that priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and the salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives. And the more perspectives we have the more successful we will be. By building a culture of respect and appreciation we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.

To work for the Rolls-Royce Submarines business an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or in MoD approved cases a dual national.