Associate Director - Programme Advisory

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design, engineering, and project management organisation. We connect people, data, and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Become a vital member of our Delivery Partner team, proudly taking on some of the world’s most exciting and prestigious projects. Join us, and you’ll be part of our genuinely collaborative environment, where everyone is supported to make the most of their talents. It’s about recognising everyone’s contributions equally while delivering excellence together.

Our Programme Advisory Team: Last year the Programme Advisory team was one of the fastest-growing business practices, driven by our success in the infrastructure market. On the back of this growth, we’re continuing to invest in our people, seeking outstanding talent to join us on our growth journey. The Programme Advisory team works with our Delivery Partner clients across some of the largest and most complex programmes in the UK and beyond in the Nuclear, Aviation, Defence, Water, Power & Renewables, and Transportation sectors. We pride ourselves on empowering clients through trusted collaboration and helping them solve complex challenges, transform their organisations, and build an enduring capability for the future.

Your Role: We’re looking for an Associate Director to join our team who is passionate about driving positive change within client PMOs through influence, delivery excellence, and partnership. You’ll work across multiple sectors on some of the UK’s most complex, high‑profile programmes, collaborating with multi‑disciplinary teams and solving diverse client challenges. This role will allow you to work across various programmes, with the support of some of the most experienced teams across the global AtkinsRéalis business while developing your own career journey.

About you:

• Programme Lifecycle: Experience across the full programme lifecycle, including establishing and delivering within major transformational PMOs.
• People Leadership: Proven ability to lead and manage large, multi‑disciplinary teams in dynamic environments.
• Maturity Assessment: Ability to assess PMO capability and maturity, providing insight and recommendations for improvement.
• PMO Design & Set‑Up: Ability to design, develop, and implement PMOs; including people, processes, governance, tools, and systems.
• Strategic Advisory: Experience delivering strategic advice on PMO transformation, organisational design, project delivery optimisation, and performance improvement.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to tailor messages for different audiences and confidently facilitate workshops (in-person, virtual, or hybrid).
• Relationship Building: Ability to build strong, lasting relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical Skills: A logical, structured thinker with strong analytical skills, able to gather, analyse, and interpret complex information with precision and accuracy.
• Proactive Approach: Highly self‑motivated, adaptable, and comfortable delivering high‑quality solutions in complex and evolving environments.
• Change Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading or supporting change initiatives with tangible, positive outcomes.
• Technical Excellence: Recognised industry expertise in driving successful PMOs within complex infrastructure programmes.
• Professional Certification: Hold relevant certifications such as APM PMQ/PPQ/ChPP; MoP; MSP; PRINCE2, P3O, PROSCI, Lean, Six Sigma.

Reward & benefits: Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis: We’re a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information: This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.