Programme Manager

Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications

Cyber (UK) Business

Powering Decision

Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield—find your place in the future of defense.

Cyber Business

Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide.

This role is based at our Cyber Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead.
Due to the sensitive nature of our work, you will be required to work on-site for a minimum of four days per week.

Ultra Cyber Ltd is seeking an accomplished Programme Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of a complex, multidisciplinary engineering programme.

This is a pivotal role, accountable for driving successful outcomes across the full project lifecycle—from bid development and concept definition through delivery, acceptance, and close-out.

You will provide strong leadership and governance, guiding projects through defined stage gates while ensuring schedule, cost and quality objectives are met. Working closely with technical, commercial, and wider business stakeholders, you will bring structure, pace, and assurance to the delivery of highly complex technical solutions.

The ideal candidate will have experience within Defence or closely-related engineering programmes, with a proven track record of managing large-scale and technically demanding projects and or programmes in highly regulated structured delivery environments.

Notice:

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain DV Security Clearance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of complex, multidisciplinary engineering programmes across the full project lifecycle, from bid and concept development through delivery and close-out.

• Provide strong project leadership and direction, establishing clear governance structures and successfully managing projects through defined lifecycle and assurance gates.
• Develop, maintain, and control detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets, ensuring delivery in line with agreed scope, cost, and timescale commitments.
• Direct and coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality assurance, procurement, and external partners, to achieve project objectives.
• Partner closely with the Engineering Project Lead to ensure rigorous adherence to systems engineering processes, technical governance, and design assurance.
• Proactively manage project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies, implementing effective mitigation strategies and ensuring timely escalation where required.
• Provide clear, concise, and accurate project reporting, communicating status, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Ensure full compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, security standards, and quality frameworks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery methodologies, tools, and governance, embedding lessons learned and best practice.
• Lead, manage, and coach a team of project managers to deliver the scope of complex engineering design, development and qualification programmes.

Required Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Solid experience in project/programme management within a defence, IT, engineering, or technology environment.
• Proven experience delivering large and complex projects or programmes within a technical or technical  environment.

• Experience managing programme budgets, forecasting, and resource planning.
• An awareness and understanding of engineering principles and lifecycle models.

• Experience with structured project management methodologies such as Waterfall, Scrum and Agile.

• Excellent stakeholder management, both internal and external, with superb communication skills.

• Experience managing contracts for and interfacing with a government customer.

• Strong leadership and team coordination capabilities.

• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira).

• Experience in shaping and delivering costed proposals for new business, either as growth on an existing contract or through the Business Development function for new business opportunities.
• Formal certification in project management (e.g., APM PMQ, PRINCE2, AgilePM).
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour, demonstrating and promoting Ultra's values.

Desirable Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
• Additional qualifications in programme management, business management, engineering, or leadership.
• Experience with defence, aerospace, or highly regulated industries.

• Experience delivering projects involving software, firmware and hardware integration.
• In-depth understanding of the Systems Engineering V-Lifecycle.

• Experience managing physical production and/or product through life support.

Notice

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export-controlled material as defined by the role's requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website.

Our Benefits

Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:

• Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme

• Private Medical Cover

• 25 days’ holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days

• Pension Contribution

• 4 x Life Assurance Cover

• Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday

• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more

• Security Clearance Allowance – where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement