Global Service Programmes and Contracts Manager
* Full-time
* Grade: 12
* Employee Group: Permanent
* Global Region: Europe
Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.
Smiths Detection, a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.
Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.
This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state‑of‑the‑art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.
We are seeking an experienced Global Service Contracts & Programmes Manager to lead the delivery and performance of complex, high value service contracts for key global customers.
This role is critical in ensuring commercial success, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction across a portfolio of defence maintenance programmes, with a particular focus on contracts with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
A deep understanding and proven experience with UK MoD Single Source Regulations is essential for success in this role.
Whilst we are based in Hemel Hempstead, this role is very much hybrid.
Due to the level of UK security clearance required for this role, we can’t consider applicants from outside of the UK or those with dual citizenship.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Leading the end‑to‑end management of major service contracts, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to agreed margins
* Acting as the primary customer interface, building strong relationships with UK MoD stakeholders
* Driving commercial performance, including revenue, cost control, forecasting, and margin improvement
* Developing and managing programme schedules across maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and engineering changes
* Establishing and tracking KPIs across delivery, financial performance, and customer satisfaction
* Ensuring full compliance with UK MoD Single Source Regulations, including audit readiness and cost justification
* Identifying and mitigating risks, managing contract changes, renewals, and renegotiations
* Leading improvements to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance contract performance
* Coordinating cross‑functional teams and subcontractors to deliver against contractual requirements
* Supporting growth through identification and development of new business opportunities within existing contracts
What We’re Looking For
* Proven experience managing high value defence service contracts, ideally within MRO environments
* Strong commercial and financial acumen with a track record of improving contract performance
* Essential: Hands‑on experience with UK MoD Single Source Regulations (SSRO) and defence contracting practices
* Experience working directly with UK MoD customers and their governance processes
* Skilled in contract negotiation, change management, and risk mitigation
* Strong programme and project management capability
* Ability to operate effectively in a complex, global stakeholder environment
* Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills
Education / Training
* Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
Experience
* This role requires demonstrable experience working with UK MoD Single Source Regulations (SSRO).
* Commercial management of contracts with UK MoD, their processes and accounting practices
* Management and optimisation of significant £m contracts for service, delivery of contract improvements
* Maintenance, repair and overhaul business in a Defence market setting.
* Drafting business proposals and contract amendments, costing
We Offer
Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.
We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support and embrace diversity.
At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers – Smiths Group plc).
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