SDA Submarine Acquisition Capability Programme Director in Bristol

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. The primary delivery location for this position is Bristol Abbey Wood. However, please note there will be a requirement for regular travel to Barrow-in-Furness including regular overnight absences. Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

The Submarine Acquisition Capability (SAC) Programme Director provides senior leadership for two of the SDA’s most strategically important industrial programmes: the Submarine Build Modernisation (SBM) programme and the Submarine Build Capacity and Capability (SBCC) contract. These programmes are essential to ensuring the UK’s submarine enterprise has the capacity, capability and resilience needed to deliver the SSN‑AUKUS and Dreadnought programmes with confidence.

The role leads the development and delivery of major long‑term investment across the submarine industrial base, including infrastructure expansion at Barrow-in-Furness and Raynesway, strengthening a fragile national supply chain, and supporting workforce growth across BAE Systems Submarines, Rolls‑Royce Submarines and key suppliers. This is a significant modernisation effort that underpins the future viability of the UK’s submarine build capability.

As Programme Director, you will shape programme strategy, develop integrated investment plans, and oversee the delivery of complex, multi‑billion‑pound activities that determine future production readiness. You will ensure alignment with wider SDA programmes, working closely with the SSN‑AUKUS Programme Director, Submarine Production Alliance Managing Director, and Head of Nuclear Propulsion to integrate requirements, schedules and resources.

Building and managing relationships at senior levels across government and industry is central to the role. You will work closely with the Managing Directors of BAE Systems Submarines and Rolls‑Royce Submarines, ensuring that commercial and industrial decisions support MOD objectives. You will regularly brief the CEO SDA and engage with His Majesty’s Treasury, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and other stakeholders as part of approvals and assurance processes. SBM supports key elements of the AUKUS partnership, the role also involves engagement with US and Australian counterparts.

The SAC Programme Director leads a developing programme team of around 45 posts across Abbey Wood, Barrow-in-Furness and Raynesway. You will provide clear direction, build capability, and ensure cohesive delivery across infrastructure, commercial, workforce and supply‑chain workstreams.

This is a pivotal leadership role, requiring exceptional judgement and the ability to balance risk, cost and delivery pressures across programmes of national strategic importance. The successful candidate will play a defining part in modernising the UK’s submarine industrial base and securing the long‑term resilience needed to deliver future submarine programmes successfully.

Please provide evidence of the following Essential Criteria and Membership in your Supporting Statement:

• Membership: Chartered Professional in either Engineering or Project/Programme Management or willingness to complete early in tenure.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven track record of senior leadership in managing large, complex programmes with the ability to integrate large‑scale transformation programmes.
• Proven ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across different locations, ensuring cohesive delivery across multiple workstreams such as infrastructure or engineering, commercial, workforce, and supply chain.
• Demonstrable experience in shaping and delivering long-term, multi‑billion‑pound investment programmes, including strategy development, integrated planning, and delivery oversight.
• Strong senior stakeholder management experience, building and managing relationships across government, industry, and international partners, including briefing senior executives and engaging with government departments and agencies.
• Proven judgement in balancing risk, cost, and delivery pressures within programmes of national strategic importance.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience within Defence, nuclear, infrastructure, or complex regulated industrial sectors.
• Familiarity with government approvals, assurance frameworks, and business‑case processes for major programmes.