Head of Engineering Projects & Programmes

Job Title: Head of Projects & Programmes   Location: Chelmsford areaType: Full-time Salary: £80k-85k plus benefitsOn behalf of our client, we are seeking an experienced Head of Programmes/Programmes Manager with a strong engineering/technical background.  This role offers the chance to work with a leading company in a challenging and rewarding environment. The successful candidate will be part of a great team that values innovation and excellence, with opportunities for career growth and professional development.Role Overview:The Head of Projects & Programmeswill be responsible for managing strategic R&D and customer-funded projects, with a focus on delivering products to clients and driving revenue. The successful candidate will immediately take the lead on existing projects, managing and guiding a cross-functional team of 10+ engineers and technical staff.Key Responsibilities:

• Manage cross-functional teams, including engineers and manufacturing staff, to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Maintain effective project management processes and mentor junior team member to achieve project targets.
• Develop strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Create and manage detailed project schedules in Microsoft Project.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and manage budgets in collaboration with the Finance Team.
• Prepare and present project status dashboards to the Senior Leadership Team on a monthly basis.
• Work closely with Business Development, Engineering, and Programme Directors to develop technical and commercial solutions that meet customer requirements.

• Extensive experience in managing engineering projects, particularly in production phases.
• Demonstrable experience in leading teams to meet critical deadlines and successfully deliver projects.
• Strong skills in managing customer expectations and preventing scope creep.
• Proficiency in project management tools such as MS Project and MS Project Server; a working knowledge of SAP is advantageous.
• Relevant qualifications in project management methodologies, such as APM Body of Knowledge, PRINCE2, or PMP.
• Eligibility for Security Clearance and UK Nationality are required due to the nature of the projects.