Programme Manager (Defence)

CompanyNCC – Innovating for Industry

LocationGreater Bristol Area, United Kingdom

Posted At3/11/2026

UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics

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Occupation Type

Functional managers and directors not elsewhere classified.

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

Sponsorship Salary Threshold

£74,700 (£38.31 per hour)

Occupation rate applies

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Description

Programme Manager (Defence)

NCC

Bristol based with Hybrid working (2-3 days on site)

Salary: £69,595 to £80,090 per annum plus 12.5% employer pension & private medical insurance.

Security Clearance Required: You will be required to undertake government security clearance if successful securing this role.

Advert end date: 7th April – we reserve the right to withdraw the advert early if required.

Summary

As demand grows, we are expanding our Defence team hiring another Programme Manager supporting technology innovation within the defence industry. You’ll help run a large complex greenfield Defence programme which we aim to deliver in 18 months, suiting someone who has an Engineering background or experience setting up new facilities.

We’re a not-for-profit research technology organisation and bring our R&D ethos to the defence industry, aiming to innovation where pragmatic while aiming to delivery on time, on cost and on vision. If you enjoy steering engineering & technology programmes, influencing stakeholders, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of UK defence innovation.

You’ll be responsible for the professional management and execution of projects within the Programme. We use a combination of Waterfall and Agile delivery. You will be a critical link between the overall Programme Management function, internal and external clients, and will be responsible for shaping and delivering this strategic programme.

The portfolio will be diverse from capital procurement to developing and deploying robust operational procedures.

You’ll have three to five direct reports to begin with which will potentially grow over time.

Specifically you'll focus on the following activities;

Support Delivery – control scope, schedule, cost and risk across the full six-phase lifecycle – from initiation to closure – using NCC’s project management framework.
Planning
Support internal & external customers
Cost management
Resource management
Risk & issue management
Governance & reporting

So, what are we looking for?

An established Programme Manager with 10+ years of project experience over your career.

Defence or Research & Development or Manufacturing industry background.

Ability and willingness to undergo a high level of government security clearance.

Engineering background in some shape or form, perhaps you are an Engineering graduate or perhaps you have run Engineering / Technology (not IT) projects in the past

Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a cross-functional team.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities, capable of building and nurturing relationships with stakeholders and customers. Internal and external.

Commercial awareness and experience of delivering projects within complex financial and contractual constraints.

Not sure if you are the right fit and want to speak to someone to check? Feel free to reach out to Jon Barratt, Recruiter at NCC, via the NCC Careers contact page or via Linked In.

What we do

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 one specific problem - the works always varied, and always 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, the UK’s manufacturers can do theirs better.

What do we offer in return?

Hybrid and flexible working patterns as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.