NCC Innovating for Industry
IT Programme Manager (Defence)
Bristol based with hybrid working (3 days office, 2 days home). Flexibility required to travel to customer site.
Salary: £65,659 to £79,946 per annum DOI + Good pension + Private Medical
Security Clearance: You should be willing and able to undergo security clearance and be able to work in a highly secure environment.
Summary: Our IT function is growing to support our portfolio of defence work and we are looking for an IT Programme Manager with experience supporting greenfield developments to join our senior management team. In this role you will strategically identify, plan and coordinate a set of IT projects and activities in support of specific defence business strategies and objectives. You will focus on the successful completion of a complex programme, managing exceptions, monitoring progress and ensuring alignment to business objectives. You will have significant organisational influence, making high‑level decisions and helping shape policies; support the Director of IT and Programme Director in board meetings; run a small team of direct reports (3‑5 people) with scope to grow and budgets around £3.5 million per year. The projects you programme manage will be all IT projects, commonly networking & infrastructure projects, with the initial focus on setting up a new site over the next couple of years.
Specific Responsibilities
* Programme Management – Plans, directs and coordinates activities to manage and implement a programme from initiation to final transition into operational, business‑as‑usual management using NCC IT programme methodology.
* Stakeholder Management – Leads the development of comprehensive stakeholder management strategies and plans with a programme.
* Project Management – Works with the Programme Board to authorise and prioritise the delivery and management of projects in the programme.
* Change Management – Initiates, plans and leads IT programme change management initiatives; provides guidance to change leaders, project managers and sponsors emphasising technical and procedural aspects of change.
* Financial Management – Leads programme financial governance and drives adherence to NCC financial policies and standards.
* Benefits Management – Leads activities required to realise the benefits of each part of the change programme.
* Secure By Design – Works and leads on the Defence IT programme, operating in the Secure by Design delivery process within a defined area of business activity, project or programme.
* Line Management – Carries out people management tasks; sets quality, performance and capability targets aligned with organisational goals.
What we look for in your application
* Willingness and ability to undergo a high level of Government Security clearance.
* Proven track record managing large, complex IT projects and programmes from start to finish.
* Minimum 5 years programme management level experience with a significant wider background in project management and/or change management.
* APM Managing Successful Programme qualifications (or equivalent) in programme management.
* Good all‑round IT knowledge with prior experience delivering Networking / Infrastructure projects.
* Leadership experience contributing towards senior management strategy as well as good line management skills.
* Ability to think strategically by aligning IT programmes with overall business objectives, cost‑benefit analysis, with defined outcomes.
What we offer
* 12.5% employer pension contribution
* Private medical cover
* Flexible and hybrid working as standard
* Clear routes to grow your skills and influence
* A team that gets things done without the drama
Not sure if it’s a fit? Happy to have a quick chat first – please reach out to Jon Barratt via LinkedIn or through the NCC careers page. Know someone who might be right? Tag or share them with us.
Why NCC?
We help manufacturers take on bigger challenges – whether that’s building cleaner aircraft, scaling up offshore wind, or strengthening the UK’s supply chains. We’re here to deliver practical outcomes, not prototypes that sit on shelves.
Who we work with
We work across 16 sectors, from defence and energy to infrastructure and space. Some projects are with global tier 1s, others with small UK firms solving a specific problem – the work is always varied and real.
What it’s like here
We’re not a startup. We’re not a corporate. We’re a national centre with the kit, time and people to do the job properly. The teams are focused, the thinking is sharp, and you’ll be trusted to get on with it.
Why this job matters
This role isn’t just internal support – it’s part of how we deliver nationally important work. If we do our job right, UK manufacturers can do theirs better.
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