Head of Programs

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Why join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

Our competitive employee offering framework supports the purpose, values, and behaviours that we take pride in. This framework includes rewarding for performance, safety & wellbeing, learning & development, responsibility & sustainability, adaptability & flexibility, and diversity & inclusion. Our people are critical to our success, so it is vital that we create a workplace that is inclusive; where our differences are not only embraced but make us stronger.

As part of the QinetiQ team, you play a critical role in what makes our company a great place to work. So, it is important that working with us is inspiring, that you have the opportunity to realize your full potential and feel recognized for your contribution. You’ll receive a highly competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of employee offerings that we provide begin with a competitive benefits package, extended health spending account, an additional health and wellness spending account, TFSA/RRSP matching, a personal development fund, an employee referral program, annual salary review, a flexible hybrid working environment and much more.

About QinetiQ
We offer our customers world-class expertise in advice, services (particularly test and evaluation) and innovative technology-based products. We deploy our scientific and technological knowledge, proven research capabilities and unique, purpose-built facilities to provide both services and products that meet the needs of a wide range of global customers. We operate primarily in the defence, security, and critical national infrastructure markets.

QinetiQ is a company of over 6,000 people dedicated to being on the side of their customers. They are pragmatic and hugely experienced, looking always for enterprising, agile ways to create real benefit and added value. They are also natural collaborators, adept at making vital connections through forging industry partnerships and harnessing the best talents within the supply chain.

QinetiQ manages and operates extensive testing and evaluation capabilities for air, land, sea, and target systems. We collaborate closely and responsively to give defence departments, industry customers and academia a competitive edge through the safe and secure conduct of operational and tactical training exercises that combine both real world and simulated events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leadership of QTSC Programs discipline and line management of a small team of Program and Project Managers
• Delivery of project outcomes to agreed baseline (scope, quality, schedule/time, cost, risk, and objectives) with appropriate governance, assurance and reporting on all activities.
• Development, implementation, maintenance, and governance of program management processes embedded in local procedures, aligned with the Group Project Lifecycle Framework (PLF) and applicable Sector P3M Excellence Functional guidance.
• Ensuring team members operate in line with the QTS, Sector and Group level processes.
• Develop and implement consistent project reporting.
• Ensure effective and efficient project portfolio planning and integration by partnering with the Customer Accounts team and technical functions to ensure that there are clear lines of responsibility and accountability for each project.
• Development and maintenance of positive engagement with customers, partners, suppliers and other parts of the Sector and QinetiQ Group.
• Develop detailed project plans, ensuring resource availability and allocation and delivery every project on time within budget and scope.
• Assist with Engineering and Operations Teams, where appropriate, to ensure timescales and resources are planned in detail for the effective prototyping, process validation and transfer of products from development to production.
• Resolving conflict, including prioritization calls, within the program and collaborating across the company.
• Leading, developing and embedding continuous improvement in the programs function, as agreed with the Managing Director (as required).
• Partner with QTSC Managers to review and ensure total project team resource demand is appropriately planned and prioritized to support the project portfolio and delivery requirements.
• Regularly update financial forecasts to ensure latest project status is reflected in business level forecasts.
• Support the business winning teams with bidding to ensure that projects have an executable plan at the point prior to bid release.
• Own the relationship on behalf of QTSC with Sector and Group Program Functions ensuring that QTSC is aligned with wider QinetiQ approaches and initiatives.

Leadership

• Acts as a role model in demonstrating commitment to QinetiQ values and behaviours.
• Collaborates effectively with other functions both within QTSC and across the wider Group
• Communicates frequently and clearly with team members at all levels.
• Leads and drives employee engagement.
• Identifies key drivers to business performance and leads multi-disciplinary teams to address opportunities and risks.
• Clearly articulates business objectives to all levels of the organization and ensures Functions have plans in place to fulfill the business growth need.
• Provides clear input to support the creation of forecasts, budgets and the ISBP
• Supports and promotes a safety centric culture.
• Acts and operates with a global mindset.

Standard Responsibilities

• To adopt and comply with QinetiQ values, policies and procedures including:
  • Health & Safety
  • General Data Protection Regulations and use of IT
  • HR Policies & Procedures
  • Equality & Diversity
  • Security and confidentiality
  • Code of conduct
• No job description can cover every issue which may arise within the role. The postholder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time.
• We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the role purpose and accountabilities to suit the needs of the business.

Key Capabilities/Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Program and Project Management disciplines
• Strong understanding of engineering processes and product development
• Strong leadership skills. Capable of leading own department and the wider business as required.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Open, honest, enthusiastic team player
• Drive and determination to achieve successful & timely delivery.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet critical business timescales.
• Tackling low-level problems with appreciation of high-level implications
• Strong knowledge of Health and Safety
• Effective understanding of the Defence Industry and Customer / market needs (highly desirable)
• Knowledge of uncrewed systems (desirable)
• Effective all round technical background (desirable)
• Comfortable with both large and small business cultures
• Skilled user of Microsoft Office Suite

Education/Work Experience and Requirements:

• Significant experience of program and project management (5 years +)
• Experience in a business leadership role.
• Computer proficiency (Document Management Software, MS Office – Word, Excel and Outlook)

Additional desirable assets would include:

• Knowledge of Military Systems (Understanding of procurement processes, weapons systems, training methodologies)
• Minimum Post-Secondary Diploma in relatable field (Project Management, Electronics Technologist/Engineer, Mechanical Technologist/Engineer)