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Job Description

Important: Due to the sensitive nature of these projects, you must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (SC). For more details, see the Security Clearance section below.

Turner & Townsend is looking for a talented Programme Director to join our busy and expanding defence business. In this role you will provide direction and management for every phase of large‑scale infrastructure programmes across a range of complex commissions, ensuring on‑schedule completion within or below budget and in accordance with contractual obligations. The Programme Director will manage multiple projects that make up a complex programme enterprise with a diverse supply chain. You will balance technical, leadership and managerial approaches within highly regulated delivery environments, such as nuclear‑regulated sites, and engage stakeholders at an executive level. Experience with the NEC4 suite of contracts is strongly desired.

Prior experience must include significant project management or construction management assignments at the Principal Project Manager level, operations management of personnel, and effective management of client outcomes. Must be able to travel to client sites nationally, as and when required.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Acts as the Turner & Townsend representative with the client and selected subcontractors during the programme execution. Negotiates changes to the scope of work with the client and key subcontractors. Collaborates with Business Development to market and secure additional work with client. Responsible for following up on instructions and commitments associated with the programme. Participates in regulatory conversations and in public meetings in support of clients.
• Oversees establishment of the Project Execution Plan, Health and Safety Plan, Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan, and other documents as required.
• Establishes the delivery requirements for all areas of the programme, and monitors the draft and final deliverables for adherence to these criteria. Responsible for the development and distribution of a one‑to‑two‑page description of the programme to all members of the project team to act as the Programme Brief.
• Plans, directs, supervises, and controls the execution of all business, technical, fiscal, and administrative functions of the assigned programme as required. Assigns responsibility for executing project plans to key subordinates after careful assessment of how to utilize their qualifications and strengths. Provides input to performance reviews and development plans for subordinates.
• Mobilises resources, through liaison with capability leads, other offices, or subsidiaries, to create project teams capable of completing effective, quality work. Discusses the qualifications required of the key programme / project positions in specific detail with the capability leads and National Service Leads.
• Works with other managers, project engineers, and discipline leads to develop budgets, schedules, and plans for the various elements of a programme. Ensures that the programme meets or exceeds goals established in the project plans.
• Works with the key project individual to devise and execute action plans to rectify potential cost overruns or delays, or to accommodate significant changes to the scope of work. Advises the client and company management of any such changes. Responsible for maintaining current and timely change orders.
• Promotes technical and commercial excellence on the programme through application of Quality Assurance processes. Monitors and reports to management on the progress of all project activity within the programme, including significant milestones and any conditions that would affect project cost or schedule. Establishes weekly meetings to review project status and formulate programme action items.
• Performs other responsibilities associated with this position as may be appropriate.

Required Skills

• Highly commended leadership skills and proven ability to operate at Programme Executive level, with values and behaviours at the core of your approach.
• Broad general technical and business background, as well as previous project management experience on large‑scale programme/project types.
• Ability to manage and direct cross‑functional teams with credible pan‑domain and pan‑discipline expertise.
• Expertise in applying systems thinking to complex multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Proven ability to perform in a senior management capacity, excellent written and oral communication skills, and thorough knowledge of industry practices and regulations.
• Knowledge of current innovation and how it can be effectively utilized on programmes/projects.
• Desirable: demonstrable history of working in infrastructure, defence and/or nuclear environments.
• Operational knowledge of the NEC4 suite of contracts.

Qualifications

• Senior accreditation of competency to a professional body (ICE, APM, RICS, etc.) – strongly desired.
• Strong infrastructure background in defence, nuclear, transportation or utilities – highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management or related technical/business field, with significant competence spanning all stages of the programme life‑cycle.
• NEC/FIDIC commercial experience – strongly desired.

Security Clearance

Important: Due to the sensitive nature of these projects, you must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (SC). Many of our clients and projects are subject to MoD security clearance and trade control restrictions, which may affect eligibility.

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to effect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

All recruitment processes are fee‑free. Candidates should never be asked to pay a fee. Unsolicited resumes submitted through our website are subject to agency fee policies only if you are an authorised recruitment agency.