Senior Programme Manager – Defence & Regulated Infrastructure (Portsmouth or Gosport)
Security: Must be eligible for SC Clearance
Are you ready to lead major infrastructure programmes that genuinely shape the future? We’re supporting a leading organisation operating at the forefront of defence, security and advanced technology innovation. They manage a diverse portfolio of highly regulated estates, research facilities and critical infrastructure projects.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager with a strong background in construction, civil engineering, and complex estates environments — ideally within defence or an equivalently regulated sector.
We are not seeking IT Project Managers or candidates from residential housebuilding environments.
The Role
In this high‑impact leadership position, you will oversee and deliver a portfolio of major construction and infrastructure projects (typically £50m–£100m+). This includes refurbishments, technical infrastructure, upgrades, civil works and new build activity across a complex, multi‑site estate.
You will lead a team of Programme Managers and Senior Project Managers, ensuring successful delivery to time, cost, quality and scope, while collaborating with internal stakeholders, specialist engineering teams and external partners.
This is a role for someone who is commercially minded, programme‑savvy, confident with governance, and highly experienced in regulated environments.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and deliver a defined programme of major construction and infrastructure projects.
* Maintain programme objectives, risks, priorities and delivery baselines across the entire lifecycle.
* Oversee a portfolio of refurbishment, upgrade and new‑build projects from inception to handover.
* Provide leadership, coaching and direction to a team of Programme Managers and Senior Project Managers.
* Drive commercial and financial control, including procurement, contracts, budget management and reporting.
* Ensure compliance with NEC contracts, managing change events and contractual challenges effectively.
* Resolve delivery issues, support prioritisation decisions, and secure timely approvals.
* Champion strong Health & Safety performance and CDM discipline across all programme activities.
* Proven leadership of complex construction, civil engineering and estate management programmes.
* Strong track record delivering large-scale, multi-million‑pound projects.
* Excellent working knowledge of NEC contracts, including managing change events and disputes.
* Experience in master planning, estate strategy, acquisitions/disposals and multi‑user environments.
* Demonstrable experience preparing and presenting business cases for investment and decision making.
* Background in highly regulated sectors such as defence, nuclear, aerospace or critical national infrastructure.
Candidates from residential construction / housebuilding will not be considered.
IT project managers will not be considered.
Essential Qualifications
* Professional capability equivalent to APM PMQ (or similar).
* Chartered status (e.g., MAPM, CEng, MRICS) is desirable.
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