Program Manager - #1699081

Job title: Programme Manager

Location: Glasgow - (hybrid working arrangement – 3 days per week on site)

Do you have a proven track record of successful delivery of major programmes in the defence/heavy engineering/manufacturing sector? Are you looking for an opportunity to use these skills in a critical role, delivering one of Thales’ largest Critical Projects?

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Programme Manager to join our Optronics and Missile Electronics (OME) UK team in Glasgow.

Core Benefits:

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;

• Performance-related bonus


• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm


• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)


• 24 hours volunteering paid for


• Private healthcare (grade dependent)


• Pension scheme


• Life cover


• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app


• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers


• Gym membership discounts

Key responsibilities:

The purpose of this position is to support the Programme Director in ensuring the successful delivery of a Programme to achieve programme objectives/requirements to the satisfaction of both the customer and Thales.

The programme demands a senior programme leader owing to the complexities presented by delivering one of Thales’ largest Critical Projects, responsibilities to include (but not limited to):

• Leading a team to ensure the efficient delivery of the programme


• Managing customer and supplier relationships


• Leading the process of structuring and planning complex projects and the tailored deployment of best practice project controls


• Managing project activities with reference to the baseline and critical path, with a focus on proactive risk and opportunity management and controlling variance to time/cost/quality


• Project financial and contractual management


• Working across functional boundaries to achieve alignment and support for project objectives


• Demand/business planning principles in a project context with a focus on the reliable forecasting of resource requirements (including critical skills) and working with adjacent functions to schedule those appropriately


• Representing projects through established governance, giving an evidence-based account of progress and distilling key risks/opportunities/support needed for Senior Management

About you:

• A proven track record of successful delivery of major programmes in a context relevant to Thales (defence/engineering/manufacturing), in a complex, multi-site organisation


• Strong Leadership skills including leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams


• The role requires strong leadership, professional project management expertise (that is founded on significant experience of managing complex projects), excellent stakeholder management, team building skills, a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks and opportunities, rigour to change control and commercial awareness.


• This role requires highly capable stakeholder management of both internal and external key UK customers, the use of highly developed networking and influencing skills to ensure that Thales delivers the appropriate programme outcomes on time, to the budgeted cost and quality.


• Experience with coaching early careers Project Managers

Security Clearance statement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a Non-ITAR country may be considered. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.