Senior Programme Manager – New Product Introduction (NPI)

Overview

As Senior Programme Manager – NPI, you will shape the future product portfolio by identifying and delivering new capabilities that meet customer needs and company strategy. You will drive a robust NPI framework across engineering, operations, strategy and customer communities, taking concepts from opportunity to delivery. This is a high-visibility, transformational leadership role in a collaborative environment that values innovation and excellence. You will work across functions to accelerate next-generation products and capabilities while aligning with UK security priorities.

Pay / Benefits

• 4xFlex working pattern (4-day week, Mon-Thu)
• on-site days aligned to business needs

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a robust NPI process from opportunity through delivery
• Lead governance transformation for product development with best-practice frameworks and metrics
• Collaborate with Business Development, Strategy, Engineering, Supply Chain and Customers to build roadmaps
• Evaluate market opportunities and business cases to support investment decisions
• Lead cross-functional teams through the NPI lifecycle from concept to service introduction
• Manage stakeholder engagement and influence senior leadership decisions
• Identify and mitigate risks and opportunities in new product development
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and collaboration

Key requirements

• Significant experience leading NPI, product development and programme delivery in a highly regulated, low-volume, high-value sector
• Proven track record delivering new products or capabilities from concept to deployment
• Experience establishing or transforming stage-gate governance processes
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to build robust business cases
• Experience leading cross-functional teams without direct authority across multiple functions
• Strong stakeholder management with senior executives, customers and external partners
• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills to drive organizational change
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery

• Leadership
• Stakeholder management
• Communication
• APMP/APMPQ/MSP/PRINCE2 or equivalent accreditation
• Defence acquisition or capability development knowledge
• NPI methodologies

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