At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major construction programmes and drive strategic delivery across international environments.
- Company: Dynamic defence and aerospace firm with a focus on innovative infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: 6-month contract with potential for extension, competitive salary, and international experience.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and executive exposure in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Shape impactful infrastructure projects while leading diverse teams in exciting global settings.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in large-scale construction management and relevant project qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London
Region: London
Sector: Defence, MOD & Aerospace
Category: Scantec Engineering
Job Type: Contract
Job Reference: JOB-90475
Published: 17-07-2026
Duration: 6 months +
Expiry Date: 14-08-2026
Country: United Kingdom
International Engineering & Construction Ukraine and UK based Executive Leadership Full Portfolio Control 6 month fixed term contract with future prospect for permanent position
The Opportunity
We're seeking an exceptional Programme Lead to take strategic ownership of major construction and infrastructure delivery programmes operating across challenging, international environments. This is a position for someone with the experience, confidence, and commercial acumen to step into a leadership role that combines hands on programme management with strategic portfolio oversight.
The Scale
Large scale infrastructure programmes, full lifecycle delivery from concept through handover, multi-disciplinary teams, complex stakeholder landscapes, and ambitious growth.
The Geography
70% time in Ukraine, 30% UK-based. This is genuine international project delivery in a demanding but secure operational environment.
The Role
You'll own delivery of all programme objectives, drive governance and risk management, lead stakeholder engagement at executive level, manage commercial strategy and change control, and - critically - identify and pursue opportunities to expand the portfolio beyond current clients.
The Reality
You'll manage programmes worth tens of millions, negotiate with clients and suppliers, make commercial decisions, develop cost strategies, chair governance forums, and build the team around you. You're accountable for success - financial, technical, and strategic.
What Success Looks Like
- Strategic Leadership - You'll maintain the integrated master programme and drive delivery against milestones and budgets. You'll chair quarterly governance reviews, lead design coordination, and elevate strategic risks to senior leadership. Your master schedules, risk registers, and governance dashboards will be the foundation of how these programmes operate.
- Commercial & Contractual Excellence - You'll manage emergent works processes, develop quotations, enforce change control, and navigate complex contractual frameworks (NEC, JCT, DEFCON). You'll oversee procurement strategy, manage subcontractor networks, and make the commercial calls that protect margin and delivery. You're comfortable negotiating with clients and suppliers at senior level.
- Stakeholder & Executive Engagement - You'll be the primary point of contact for client delivery discussions. You'll manage relationships with government stakeholders, chair programme reviews, support commercial negotiations, and represent the programme at senior level. You'll communicate progress, risks, and strategy clearly and confidently to executives and clients alike.
- Technical & Quality Assurance - You understand building codes, compliance standards, and construction methodology. You'll drive design assurance at key stages, embed lessons learned, oversee quality processes, and ensure international standards compliance across all delivery phases.
- Risk Management & Safety - You'll maintain the programme risk register, monitor mitigation strategies, oversee site safety compliance, and investigate incidents. You lead by example on safety and drive a culture of compliance and continuous improvement.
- Growth & Business Development - As directed, you'll support business development activities - responding to tenders, developing schedules, building cost estimates, and contributing to technical responses. You'll identify and propose expansion opportunities to grow the portfolio beyond current scope.
- Team Leadership & Development - You'll manage a team directly, ensure succession planning, identify skills gaps, develop talent, and maintain an inclusive, safe working environment. You're responsible for your team's performance and professional growth.
Who This Is For
- 10+ years managing large-scale construction programmes through full lifecycle: concept, design, procurement, construction, handover
- Proven track record in complex, regulated, or defence-adjacent environments
- Strong commercial background with NEC, JCT, or government contract frameworks
- Multi-disciplinary team leadership across engineering, construction, and supplier networks
- Programme-level risk management and governance
Essential Qualifications
- Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or equivalent professional experience
- Recognised Project/Programme qualification: APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMP, or MSP
- CSCS card or equivalent site safety certification
Technical & Soft Skills
- Deep understanding of construction methods, building codes, and compliance
- Proficiency in scheduling tools
- Strong grasp of health & safety legislation and quality assurance
- Strategic thinking paired with tactical execution
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to work in challenging, austere, or international environments
What Sets You Apart (Desirable)
- Chartered status (ICE, CIOB, RICS)
- Experience delivering in international or expeditionary environments
- Familiarity with MOD standards or security-cleared infrastructure projects
- Sustainability frameworks and digital construction tools (BIM)
- Language capability for international work
The Challenge & Opportunity
This is not routine programme management. You'll be building portfolio resilience, identifying growth opportunities, managing ambitious timelines, navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, and making commercial decisions that impact substantial budgets. The programme is growing. The role includes responsibility for identifying and pursuing expansion opportunities - moving beyond the current scope and client base into new markets and projects. You'll shape how this portfolio evolves. You'll work in a genuinely international environment - Ukraine is operationally secure but strategically important. You'll need to be adaptable, resilient, and comfortable with some ambiguity. But the infrastructure you're building matters. The programmes you manage deliver real impact.
Why This Role
- Scale & Impact - You'll deliver tens of millions in infrastructure delivery. Your decisions influence outcomes, timelines, and financial performance.
- Portfolio Growth - The portfolio is intended to expand imminently. You're not inheriting a static remit - you're building something that grows.
- Genuine Leadership - You own delivery. You're not managing tasks; you're managing programmes, decisions, and strategy.
- International Opportunity - Ukraine-based delivery with UK support is becoming increasingly attractive to senior professionals seeking genuine international experience.
- Executive Exposure - You'll engage regularly with senior stakeholders, clients, and leadership. You're building executive presence and influence.
What We're Offering
- FTC: 6 month fixed term contract with potential option for further extension or permanent position
- Strategic role: Full portfolio accountability and growth opportunity
- International platform: 30/70 UK/Ukraine split, genuine international project experience
- Autonomy: You own delivery. You make the commercial calls.
- Team to build: Direct reports and the opportunity to shape capability
- Growth trajectory: Portfolio expansion creates clear path to increased scope and responsibility
Programme Lead - Strategic Infrastructure Delivery employer: Scantec Personnel Limited
Scantec Personnel Limited is an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling career in asbestos analysis and surveying. With a strong focus on professional development, employees benefit from a supportive work culture, competitive overtime pay, and the convenience of a company vehicle, all while working in the beautiful Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire regions. Join a team that values high standards and offers meaningful growth opportunities in a dynamic industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Lead - Strategic Infrastructure Delivery
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Scantec Personnel Limited.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Scantec Personnel Limited appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Lead - Strategic Infrastructure Delivery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Scantec Personnel Limited know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Scantec Personnel Limited is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scantec Personnel Limited
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
