Programme Manager

Location: Reading, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Are you an experienced Project Management professional looking for your next high-profile Portfolio Management role?  Do you have experience and enjoy working in multinational/multi-site environments?  Then look no further…

Key responsibilities:

The Portfolio Management of bids and/or projects and/or programmes covers the prioritisation of projects and/or programmes within an organisation and the optimisation of the contribution of the projects as a whole to the organisation’s strategy.

• Manage the process of transforming the strategy into bids and/or projects and/or programmes.

• Direct and coordinate all on-going bids and/or projects and/or programmes for an organisation or a part of it

• List and prioritise bids and/or projects and/or programmes in line with the organisation’s strategies and goals

• Ensure allocation of necessary resources to the portfolio, for each bid and/or project and/or programme

• Implement Portfolio control to ensure that the bids/projects is in line with the business strategy and Governance rules

• Continuously monitor and control the bids and/or projects and/or programmes of the portfolio, initiate corrective actions

• Close bids and/or projects and/or programmes from the portfolio when they are no longer relevant or the business strategy has changed and ensure there is a feedback mechanism for lessons learnt.

• Select and add new bid and/or project and/or programme to the portfolio

About you:

• An extensive track record of delivering successful complex projects (value circa £100m+) in contexts relevant to Thales (Defence / O&G / utilities / aerospace / manufacturing).

• Working in a complex, multidisciplinary, multi-site organisation.

• Full business lifecycle management, including capture, qualification and developing capture plans and winning strategies.

• Evidence of the ability to provide coaching and development for less-experienced project managers.

• Extensive client and stakeholder management.

• Comprehensive understanding of generic processes and techniques used to schedule project activities (for example; WBS, OBS, milestones, dependencies , EVM).

• Comprehensive experience and understanding of the Project Management process (including Change Control, Risk Management and Information Management).

• Comprehensive experience and knowledge of the project life cycle for complex projects through delivery of Development, Implementation, Closure and Support activity.

• Experience of working across boundaries, including knowledge of commercial management, best practice supply chain and finance functions.

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 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. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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.

What we can offer:

We are committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you will have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Flexibility

Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

The Work Environment

At Thales, we believe in flexible SMART working and have the expectation this role will be delivered through a combination of remote and office based collaborative working. When working in the office, you will be based at the largest Thales site in the UK, featuring access to a wide variety of resources including manufacturing, environmental and electromagnetic test facilities and specialised laboratories. The modern site includes a subsidised restaurant, a café, break out spaces, bicycle storage facilities and more.

Benefits at Thales

Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a variable compensation plan bonus and benefits package, which includes:

• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays) 
• Life Cover
• Progression and Development Opportunities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

#LI-DB2

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!