Programme Manager - Autonomous Systems

techUK is the trade association which brings together people, companies and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. With over 1200 members (the majority of which are SMEs) across the UK, techUK creates a network for innovation and collaboration across business, government and stakeholders to provide a better future for people, society, the economy and the planet. By providing expertise and insight, we support our members, partners and stakeholders as they prepare the UK for what comes next in a constantly changing world.

Autonomous and uncrewed systems across all domains are moving rapidly from trials into operational use across the public sector. They offer significant opportunities to improve capability, safety and value for money: from persistent surveillance and logistics in defence, border and infrastructure protection in national security, search and rescue, and medical delivery and incident response across policing and the emergency services. Realising these opportunities depends on close collaboration between the technology industry, government, operators and regulators. This is a new cross-programme role created to help techUK and its members explore, shape and accelerate the responsible deployment of autonomous systems and drones across these markets.

The Programme Manager will work horizontally across techUK's defence, national security and justice & emergency services programmes, identifying shared opportunities and challenges, joining up members and stakeholders who might otherwise operate in silos, and building techUK's profile as a leading voice on autonomous systems for the public sector.

This role reports to techUK's Senior Programme Manager for Defence, and its purpose is to support the delivery of techUK's activities on autonomous systems and uncrewed systems across its relevant market programmes. This challenging and wide-ranging position provides an opportunity to work with senior level representatives from industry, government and the operational community to support the development and implementation of an ambitious agenda. The role will encompass the support and development of policy and market engagement activities related to the deployment of drones and wider autonomous systems, spanning defence, national security and the emergency services.

This role would suit an articulate and enthusiastic learner, with the ability to work across multiple programmes, support the development of new policy positions, and deliver projects and events. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work within a busy and varied portfolio, engaging with a diverse range of industry, military, government and blue-light stakeholders, and will develop a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges in the use of autonomous technologies across the public sector. This role requires someone who has the communication skills, confidence and drive to grow their own profile and that of techUK.

• Present techUK as the voice of the technology industry to government departments, regulators and key stakeholders, whilst building new relationships and furthering programme priorities.
• Support the development, implementation and communication of techUK's autonomous systems activities in a way that meets the needs of existing and potential new members.
• Work across techUK's defence, national security and justice & emergency services programmes to identify, develop and exploit opportunities to deploy autonomous systems and drones, joining up members and stakeholders across these markets.
• Lead the development, implementation and management of projects, white papers, workshops and events that aim to resolve shared challenges between the technology industry and its public sector customers on the adoption and deployment of autonomous systems.
• Lead the set-up and execution of programme events, briefings and meetings, and support the activities of relevant Groups, Forums and working groups spanning the autonomous systems agenda.
• Engage with key regulators and enablers including the Military and Civil Aviation Authorities and relevant government bodies, to understand and help shape the frameworks that govern the deployment of drones and autonomous systems.
• Promote techUK's autonomous systems work through insights, opinions, social media and marketing activities.
• Liaise with other techUK programme teams to identify and exploit cross-fertilisation opportunities with programmes, ensuring alignment between the defence, national security and justice & emergency services programmes and the wider organisation.
• Support the work of various relevant member councils, maintaining liaison with participating members.
• Any other duties that might from time to time be required as part of the role.

• A self-motivated individual with a positive can-do approach who is comfortable working across multiple programmes, managing competing demands and responding to tight deadlines.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical and policy information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Comfortable with public speaking.
• Ability to identify, propose and negotiate new opportunities and services across techUK's relevant market programmes.
• Ability to use the tools and technologies techUK provides including AI technologies (LLMs).

• Strong interest in autonomous systems and drones, and their application across the public sector.
• Strong interest in innovation and the UK tech industry.
• A team player who has experience of managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and is comfortable working with senior individuals in industry and government.
• Experience of delivering events for a broad range of different stakeholders.

• Good high-level knowledge of technology trends and the technology industry, and autonomous and uncrewed systems.
• Understanding of the regulatory environment for drones and autonomous systems, including the roles of the Military and Civil Aviation Authorities and concepts such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and integrated airspace.
• Understanding of the workings and structure of one or more of techUK's relevant markets - defence and the Ministry of Defence, the UK's national security landscape, or justice and emergency services - including knowledge of current key policies and strategies.
• An understanding of the economic, social and political environment, members' business sectors and business models, stakeholders and their drivers.
• Ability to use the tools and technologies techUK provides including AI technologies (LLMs).

This is a full-time role based out of techUK's London offices, however techUK operates a flexible working policy. The successful candidate must be able to obtain security clearance. This role profile is a guide to the work that is required but does not form part of any contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances. The successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK prior to the commencement of employment. The salary range for this role is £35,000-£42,000 per annum based upon experience plus discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits.