Programme Director- South East England-  (Multi-Site & Hybrid)

£40m engineering business. Major growth. Delivery transformation.

PSD Group’s retained client, a highly regarded UK defence engineering and manufacturing business, is needing to appoint a Programme Director who will lead both programme delivery and organisational change.

The business has doubled in size over the last four years and is forecasting similar growth again. To support this, the company is transforming how it delivers complex programmes — moving to Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) supported by a robust Project Management Office (PMO).

This role requires more than programme oversight.

They need a leader who inspires followership, a mentor who develops capability, and a change agent who raises delivery performance while keeping customers front and centre.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Programme Director will take ownership of all customer programme delivery across a £40m defence engineering portfolio focused on complex electromechanical surveillance, targeting and fire-control systems.

You will:

• Lead the successful delivery of major customer programmes across schedule, cost, quality and risk
• Build and implement a high-performing PMO with disciplined governance and forecasting
• Support the rollout and leadership of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)
• Develop and mentor Programme Managers and delivery leaders
• Act as a senior escalation point for customers and strategic partners
• Support bid reviews and contract negotiations to ensure deliverable commitments
• Drive a culture of accountability, transparency and delivery excellence

What We’re Looking For:

• Significant experience delivering complex engineering programmes across the full lifecycle
• Experience managing multi-million-pound programme portfolios
• Strong programme controls capability including risk, financial and schedule management
• Experience operating within or leading Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)
• Strong stakeholder and customer leadership
• Understanding of development and manufacture of complex electromechanical systems
• Formal programme management qualification (e.g. APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• Most importantly, we are looking for someone who can lead people through change while maintaining delivery momentum.

On offer:

• 37.5 hour working week with early Friday finish
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 28 days holiday plus Christmas shutdown
• Matched pension up to 6%
• Share schemes and EV salary sacrifice
• Wellbeing programme and Employee Assistance support
• Strong learning and development culture
• Free onsite parking