Program manager

Job Description

Hybrid working arrangement: 3 days per week on site (based on full time hours)

We are looking for a Product Programme Manager. In this role you will be responsible for taking the lead in delivering a key product roadmap that underpins major customer solutions. You’ll act as the single point of accountability for a complex, multi‑project product programme; driving performance, governance, customer outcomes and long‑term product evolution.

Core Benefits:

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare (grade dependent)
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts

Optronics & Missile Electronics (OME)

We help forces to find the right information at the right time to make the right decision. For over 130 years we’ve proudly led the development of Optronics for military, scientific and commercial use. We cover three sectors: Air, Land and Sea.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of the Product Programme, ensuring effective governance, quality and on-time outputs.
• Drive the execution of the product roadmap, reuse strategy and lifecycle upgrades.
• Consolidate cross‑project financials, forecasts and product-level ROI.
• Build strong customer, supplier and internal stakeholder relationships to support delivery.
• Manage risks, opportunities and change to maintain schedule, cost and performance.

Ideal Experience & Skills:

• Demonstrated success leading large, complex product programmes across complex, multi‑site or multi‑entity organisations.
• Background in manufacturing and/or product development, with a strong understanding of industrialisation, product lifecycle and delivery in a technical environment.
• Strong leadership of multi‑disciplinary teams with a focus on accountability and delivery.
• Excellent customer and supplier relationship management.
• Advanced programme management skills (planning, forecasting, risk, governance, financials).

Security Clearance Requirement:

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.

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.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.