Senior Programme Manager - Defence & Regulated Infrastructure (Portsmouth or Gosport)

Hybrid: On‑site average 3 days per week
Security: Must be eligible for SC Clearance

Are you ready to lead major infrastructure programmes that genuinely shape the future? We're supporting a leading organisation operating at the forefront of defence, security and advanced technology innovation. They manage a diverse portfolio of highly regulated estates, research facilities and critical infrastructure projects.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager with a strong background in construction, civil engineering, and complex estates environments - ideally within defence or an equivalently regulated sector.
Please note: We are not seeking IT Project Managers or candidates from residential housebuilding environments.

The Role

In this high‑impact leadership position, you will oversee and deliver a portfolio of major construction and infrastructure projects (typically £50m-£100m+). This includes refurbishments, technical infrastructure, upgrades, civil works and new build activity across a complex, multi‑site estate.

You will lead a team of Programme Managers and Senior Project Managers, ensuring successful delivery to time, cost, quality and scope, while collaborating with internal stakeholders, specialist engineering teams and external partners.

This is a role for someone who is commercially minded, programme‑savvy, confident with governance, and highly experienced in regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver a defined programme of major construction and infrastructure projects.
• Maintain programme objectives, risks, priorities and delivery baselines across the entire lifecycle.
• Oversee a portfolio of refurbishment, upgrade and new‑build projects from inception to handover.
• Provide leadership, coaching and direction to a team of Programme Managers and Senior Project Managers.
• Drive commercial and financial control, including procurement, contracts, budget management and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with NEC contracts, managing change events and contractual challenges effectively.
• Resolve delivery issues, support prioritisation decisions, and secure timely approvals.
• Champion strong Health & Safety performance and CDM discipline across all programme activities.

Essential Experience

• Proven leadership of complex construction, civil engineering and estate management programmes.
• Strong track record delivering large-scale, multi-million‑pound projects.
• Excellent working knowledge of NEC contracts, including managing change events and disputes.
• Experience in master planning, estate strategy, acquisitions/disposals and multi‑user environments.
• Demonstrable experience preparing and presenting business cases for investment and decision making.
• Background in highly regulated sectors such as defence, nuclear, aerospace or critical national infrastructure.

Candidates from residential construction / housebuilding will not be considered.
IT project managers will not be considered.

Essential Qualifications

• Professional capability equivalent to APM PMQ (or similar).
• Chartered status (e.g., MAPM, CEng, MRICS) is desirable.