Programme Manager

Programme Manager
This client is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the aerospace and defence industries. Clients call upon specialist electronic, mechanical and pneumatic capabilities to provide innovative solutions that meet the environmental and operational requirements of high reliability environments. With innovative engineers, skilled project managers and experienced manufacturing personnel to be found at the heart of the organisation, This client is able to continue to produce and develop products that push the limits of technology and respond to the ever changing demands of the industry.

This position is within our Air Business Unit, which supports military and civil aerospace customers by providing innovative electronic, electro-mechanical and pneumatic solutions for safety critical and high integrity applications. Products range from in-cockpit equipment and safety critical control systems to innovative translating harnesses. The clients pneumatic expertise is creating systems for applications ranging from weapons ejection to portable medical oxygen generation, whilst innovative lighting solutions are reducing through life costs with high reliability and reduced maintenance

Job Purpose

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing support to the Head of Programmes and Engineering functions on a number of key projects within the business. In order to be considered for this role, candidates must have specific experience in management of programmes with DAL-A software based deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a single point contact for specific projects as designated by the Head of Programmes

• Align the clients and the customer’s aspirations to ensure that quality and delivery timescales are adhered to

• Ownership & management of the project to time, cost & quality throughout all phases of the product life cycle

• Provide leadership & direction for assigned project personnel, both in terms of the project objectives & the overarching business goals & processes

• Work with the Chief Engineer to establish and maintain a robust requirements baseline for the project and ensure strict adherence to requirements during project execution & disciplined application of the change management process

• Ensure Project Activities are expedited effectively and support the delivery of programmes in accordance with customer expectations.

• Ensure projects are administered correctly on to the clients ERP system (IFS)

• Support and provide input to presentations to Key Customers and the client

• Overall responsibility for developing & maintaining the Work Breakdown Structure & Integrated Master Schedule to ensure that all project schedule commitments & deliverables are met

• Control project spend and track & report metrics as required including the development and maintenance of a Cost Breakdown Structure

• Ensure that resource plans are up to date & meet project needs and that tasks are assigned appropriately to project personnel

• Identify, manage and burn-down project risks, develop & drive risk mitigation actions, review status and maintain a comprehensive Risk, Issues & Opportunities Management Process, resolving and/or escalating issues as appropriate

• Effectively communicate project status through appropriate management reporting data both externally (Customer) & internally (Business Unit/team)

• Drive ownership and accountability in the project team & develop close, long term productive and conducive customer relationships

• Identify process improvements and where possible implement initiatives to continuously improve the responsiveness to both customer & business needs

Job Requirements

Background and Understanding

• Experienced Project Management professional with strong leadership skills & demonstrable track record in successful project setup, execution & delivery

• Excellent communication skills and commercial awareness

• Ability to demonstrate an execution focus and natural drive for meeting project and business commitments

• Knowledge and experience in the effective use of Project Management tools and techniques

• Ability to quickly identify the critical path and mitigate risks as they are identified

• Ability to create effective working relationships within a challenging environment

• Ability to communicate (and report) at all levels within the business

• Strong negotiation skills with customers, management, peers and subordinates

• Ideally qualified to degree level in a technical discipline

• Proficient in MS Project, Excel Word, Visio & PowerPoint and experience of working with finance teams