At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex space programmes and drive innovative proposals for future opportunities.
- Company: Join Viasat, a global leader in communication technology with a mission to change the world.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the space industry while collaborating with top-tier professionals.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in programme management, strong communication skills, and experience with satellite systems.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.
What You’ll Do
Viasat is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead the delivery of complex space programmes while playing a pivotal role in shaping and winning future opportunities across a broad portfolio. While the role includes leadership of European Space Agency (ESA) programmes such as ELEOSYS, a Low Earth Orbit 5G system initiative for the Direct to Device market, it extends beyond this scope. You will work closely with the Technology Investments & Partnerships team to drive proposal development across a wider range of strategic opportunities, spanning institutional, commercial, and sovereign domains. This is a high-impact, customer-facing role combining programme delivery excellence with forward-looking bid leadership.
Programme Delivery & Governance
- Lead end-to-end delivery of complex space and satellite programmes (including ESA-funded initiatives), ensuring performance against cost, schedule, and technical objectives.
- Own the planning and execution of complex, cross-functional programs from initiation to delivery.
- Define program scope, objectives, schedules, and success metrics in alignment with business goals.
- Coordinate and drive execution across engineering, legal, product, finance, and other stakeholders.
- Manage timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies, and resource allocation.
- Proactively identify issues, assess impact, and lead mitigation and escalation as needed.
- Track progress against milestones and KPIs, ensuring transparent and accurate reporting to leadership.
- Facilitate program reviews, decision forums, and stakeholder communications.
- Ensure alignment between program deliverables and corporate strategic priorities.
- Drive continuous improvement of processes, tools, and execution practices.
- Identify and shape follow-on phases for the programme.
- Act as a senior interface with customers (including ESA and other institutional stakeholders) for contract negotiations, programme execution, reviews, and reporting.
- Establish robust programme governance, including risk and issue management frameworks.
Strategic Bids & Proposal Leadership
- Lead or contribute to high-value proposals across a diverse portfolio, including but not limited to ESA opportunities.
- Support the Technology Investments & Partnerships team in structuring, shaping, and positioning strategic bids.
- Contribute to sovereign bid strategy, consortium building, and value proposition development across multiple domains.
Consortium, Partner & Stakeholder Management
- Manage complex industrial ecosystems, including multi-country consortia, subcontractors, and partners.
- Drive alignment, performance, and accountability across stakeholders.
- Navigate and resolve cross-organisational challenges to maintain programme momentum.
Supplier Oversight
- Oversee key suppliers and vendors, ensuring delivery quality and adherence to timelines.
- Implement best-in-class supplier management practices.
What You’ll Need
- 7+ years industry experience with minimum 5 in programme or project management for technology driven systems.
- Strong track record delivering complex institutional or multi-partner programmes (European Space Agency experience highly desirable but not exclusive).
- Proven experience in proposal development and bid leadership across institutional and/or commercial opportunities.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multi-stakeholder environments across geographies.
- Good understanding of satellite systems, technology, with exposure to 5G and Low Earth Orbit system is an advantage.
- Masterful written, presentation and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver concise, compelling explanations of complex business and engineering concepts to senior stakeholders.
- A self-starter mentality with a strong sense of accountability, high attention to detail, and a bias for action—identifying and executing what needs to be done independently.
- Relationships with ESA and/or ESA member state, or institutions worldwide desirable.
- Experience working in a global environment.
- Proven proficiency in organizational agility and cross-team collaboration.
- Ability to work independently. Demonstrated aptitude to be a team player, supportive of colleagues.
- Travel: Ability to travel up to 25%.
What Will Help You On The Job
- Customer-facing and credible: able to engage confidently with institutional and commercial stakeholders.
- Highly organised and structured: capable of managing complexity across both delivery and bid environments.
- Influential and collaborative: able to align diverse teams without direct authority.
- Pragmatic and solutions-oriented: comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving outcomes.
- Strategic mindset: balances delivery excellence with shaping future opportunities.
EEO Statement
Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic.
Programme Manager, Institutional and Sovereign Initiatives employer: Viasat
At Viasat, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through diverse opportunities in programme management within the exciting field of space technology, particularly in our European initiatives. With a focus on inclusivity and a mission-driven approach, Viasat provides a unique environment where your contributions can truly make a difference on a global scale.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager, Institutional and Sovereign Initiatives
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Viasat for a Programme Manager, Institutional and Sovereign Initiatives. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager, Institutional and Sovereign Initiatives
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Viasat, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Viasat, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Viasat
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Viasat.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Viasat. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Viasat love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
