Programme Delivery Lead (Senior Defence / MOD Programme Manager)

Rowden Technologies Ltd.; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering technology firm in Bristol is seeking a Programme Delivery Lead to ensure the smooth operation of complex government and defence programmes. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in leading technically challenging projects and a strong understanding of MOD processes. This role requires excellent communication skills and a commitment to delivering results in a fast-paced environment. The company offers a flexible hybrid working model.

Benefits

Flexible working model

Inclusive company culture

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading technically challenging programmes or major systems‑integration projects.
• Strong understanding of government and MOD commercial processes.
• Demonstrable background in project, programme, or portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver disciplined, accountable programmes across Rowden’s complex portfolio.
• Provide governance and control across multiple projects.
• Manage internal budgets, tracking costs, revenue, and margin.

Skills

Leading technically challenging programmes

Understanding MOD commercial processes

Project, programme, and portfolio management

Risk management

Technical literacy

Job description

Location: Bristol, UK

Department: Project/Programme Management

Compensation: £80,000 - £100,000 / year

Description

We’re building the UK’s next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience. At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high‑pressure settings.

About The Role

We’re looking for a Programme Delivery Lead who can ensure complex MOD and wider defence/resilience programmes run smoothly, operating confidently in a fast‑paced, evolving business. The ideal candidate is comfortable with uncertainty, keeps teams aligned and moving with purpose, and applies solid P3M discipline in a pragmatic, mission‑focused way. Outstanding communication skills, a measured approach, and passion for delivering hard things are essential.

Role Purpose

Deliver disciplined, accountable programmes across Rowden’s complex government and defence portfolio. Provide governance and control across multiple projects and workstreams, ensuring delivery aligns with contractual obligations, customer expectations, and company objectives.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Accountable for delivery of complex capability development and systems‑integration projects with multidisciplinary technical teams
• Part of the business area leadership, driving team objectives and customer requirements
• Proactively manage technical, commercial, and programme risks, identifying and mitigating issues early
• Manage internal budgets, tracking costs, revenue, and margin
• Lead a multidisciplinary delivery team, enabling progress and removing blockers
• Act as escalation point for delivery challenges, ensuring outcomes across performance, cost, and time
• Allocate resources, balancing programme demands and business priorities
• Maintain clear distinction between contracted deliverables and evolving customer needs, applying change control
• Oversee forecasts and financial plans, ensuring robust programme controls and accurate reporting
• Communicate consistently across all stakeholders – internal teams, partners, industry collaborators, and government customers
• Govern risks, dependencies, and issues across the delivery portfolio, escalating decisions as needed
• Provide confidence to MOD and government customers through structured reporting and evidence‑based decision making
• Embed consistent delivery standards and mentor project leads to strengthen Rowden’s delivery maturity
• Collaborate with the Head of Project Management to refine delivery processes, tooling, and governance frameworks

Key Skills, Experience and Behaviours

Must‑Have Experience

• Proven experience leading technically challenging programmes or major systems‑integration projects
• Strong understanding of government and MOD commercial processes, approvals, and ways of working
• Demonstrable background in project, programme, or portfolio management (P3M / APM / MSP), with ability to apply governance and controls effectively

Additional Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding of MOD and government ways of working, including governance, approvals, commercial frameworks, and stakeholder landscape
• Experience overseeing multiple workstreams or projects within a programme or portfolio environment
• Background in leading high‑risk, high‑complexity delivery, with evidence of managing performance, cost, and schedule
• Understanding of modern software delivery, comfortable with Agile, sprints, backlogs, CI and rapid release cycles
• Programme governance, controls, planning, risk management, & change control (P3M)
• Commercial awareness of MOD processes, contract interpretation, cost drivers, and margin protection
• Financial management: budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and tracking performance
• Risk and issue management: proactive identification, management, escalation across portfolio
• Technical literacy: comfortable engaging with technical content and testing assumptions

Characteristics

• Structured but flexible – deliver order without stifling innovation
• Commercially astute – spot delivery, cost, or contract risks early
• Technically literate – confidently engage with complex technical material
• Credible with government stakeholders – understand MOD governance, assurance, and decision‑making processes
• Calm under pressure – operate well in ambiguity and maintain composure amid competing demands
• Trustworthy and decisive – measured presence, informed decisions
• Curious and continuously developing – actively seek learning and adapt to increase impact

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. We aim to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are! Flexible working is supported; we typically operate a hybrid‑working model with an average of three days in the office each week, depending on the role. We welcome discussions about flexibility, part‑time working, and workplace adjustments. Rowden is a Disability Confident company and actively encourages people with disabilities and health conditions to apply.

Finally, if you feel you don’t meet all the criteria but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!