Senior Programme Director - Leading Aerospace and Defence Business - Cheltenham

Our client is a leading Aerospace and Defence business with an excellent reputation for delivering complex and critical control systems, pneumatic solutions, and data management technologies. With a rich heritage, the company has established itself as a trusted partner to a global customer base and operates autonomously within a larger family of businesses. Our client is on an ambitious growth trajectory, driven by innovation and a commitment to excellence and is well supported by its Private Equity owners.

The Senior Programme Director will play a pivotal role in overseeing the strategic planning, execution, and delivery of significant and key customer programmes. Reporting directly to the Value Stream VP, the successful candidate will be accountable for the end-to-end management of programme lifecycles, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer requirements.

• Strategic Leadership: P&L accountability for the strategic planning, execution, and delivery of key customer programmes, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer requirements.


• Cross-Functional Management: Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain management, and quality assurance to ensure seamless programme execution.


• Customer and Financial Accountability: Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, manage budgets rigorously, and develop comprehensive risk mitigation strategies.

The Senior Programme Director role will suit an individual with a proven track record in managing large-scale programmes within the Aerospace and Defence industry, or a closely related sector. The successful candidate will have held P&L responsibility for large value customer programmes and will possess strong leadership qualities, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to navigate complex, high-pressure environments.

• Experience and Expertise: Extensive experience managing large-scale programmes within the Aerospace and Defence industry or a closely related sector, with strong financial literacy and systems engineering knowledge.


• Leadership and Problem-Solving: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, excellent problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, and exceptional communication skills tailored for executive audiences.


• Global and Security Requirements: Ability to work with a global customer base with an understanding of cultural nuances. Must be able to obtain SC (potentially DV) level security clearance, and willingness to travel internationally as required.

In addition to a highly competitive base salary and excellent benefits, the successful candidate will be joining an ambitious and growing business. There are opportunities to progress within the organisation, with the potential to grow into a business unit leader in the future.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

Colin Roope

Associate Partner - Manufacturing and Engineering Practice

T: +44 (0) 203 7442023

M: +44 (0) 7989 410186

E: colin.roope@berwickpartners.co.uk