Programme Manager

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Hybrid working arrangement: 3 days per week on site. Position available in Glasgow or Reading

This is a senior opportunity to lead the delivery of complex, high-value programmes within a dynamic and technically advanced environment. As a Programme Manager, you will work closely with the Programme Director to ensure successful delivery across some of the organisation’s most critical programmes. You will bring strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and delivery expertise to manage performance against time, cost, and quality objectives, ensuring customer satisfaction and sustainable business success.

What this role has to offer

• The opportunity to lead large, complex programmes with significant business impact

• Exposure to senior stakeholders and customers across UK and international environments

• A leadership role overseeing multidisciplinary teams across engineering, finance, and operations

• The chance to drive programme performance, continuous improvement, and delivery excellence

• Involvement in shaping future opportunities and contributing to long-term business growth

Core Benefits:

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

• Performance-related bonus

• Car cash allowance

• Half day every Friday

• 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 for couples

• 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

• You can read about some of our other benefits here: UK benefits | Thales Group

Optronics & Missile Electronics (OME)

We help forces to find the right information at the right time to make the right decision. For over 130 years we’ve proudly led the development of Optronics for military, scientific and commercial use. We cover three sectors: Air, Land and Sea.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary programme team to ensure delivery against schedule, cost, and performance targets

• Manage programme financials, including budget control, margin improvement, and timely invoicing

• Establish and maintain robust governance, reporting, and KPI frameworks for programme performance

• Identify and manage risks and opportunities to maintain delivery confidence and programme outcomes

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders

Ideal Experience & Skills:

• Proven experience managing large, complex programmes within engineering, manufacturing, or industrial environments

• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing and developing high-performing teams

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including customer and supplier engagement at senior levels

• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance management

• Expertise in programme governance, risk management, and project controls within complex environments

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). 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.

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.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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