Defence Digital SKYNET Programme Manager

Job Description

LocationMOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR (Please note that regular travel throughout the UK will be required).

About the job

Job summary

Defence Digital ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world. We do this by putting innovative and effective technology into the hands of over 200,000 users, from the boardroom to the front line.

We lead on cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity at scale. Our mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impacts lives across the globe.

Defence Digital forms part of Strategic Command which manages the MOD’s joint capabilities for the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy.

Watch our video to see what we do at Defence Digital!

Passionate about using your skills to make a critical difference? Your next career move could be here!

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Shape the future of military communication by leading one of the UK’s most advanced and impactful defence technology programmes. As a Programme Manager for the SKYNET Programme, you will drive the delivery of next-generation satellite communications, combining cutting-edge technology with commercial solutions to ensure secure, agile, and global connectivity for the UK Armed Forces and their allies. This is a career-defining opportunity to lead innovation and deliver a critical capability for national and international defence.

Responsibilities:

• Monitoring programme delivery against the approved business cases and updating business cases when delivery falls outside of the approved PCT envelope.
• Secure resources and direct planning scheduling, resourcing, and estimating for complex and large-scale programmes, whilst overseeing risk and issue management.
• Maintain overall integrity and coherence of programme and governance framework to support each project, including engagement with Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
• Cascade the vision and translate into delivery objectives for the team to deliver the business case benefits and outcomes.
• Work with project leads to ensure dependencies are actively managed, act as an arbiter and enforcer to resolve issues between the various elements of the programme.

For further information on the incredible work we do on the SKYNET 6 programme visit, SKYNET 6 – GOV.UK

Person specification

We are seeking a highly skilled Programme Manager with the resilience, precision, and expertise to drive delivery in high-stakes, complex environments. You will excel in managing ambiguity, balancing competing priorities, and ensuring that programme objectives are met with rigor and efficiency. With a strong ability to influence and build trust, you will manage relationships across diverse stakeholders, ensuring collaboration and alignment at all levels.

Please ensure that your CV and application include the below essential criteria:

• Proficient in developing robust business cases and navigating approvals processes
• Skilled in identifying and managing resource requirements for complex projects/programmes
• Experienced in establishing and managing governance arrangements for high-value programmes
• Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver critical projects whilst managing complex stakeholder relationships
• Proven ability to manage diverse teams and networks, ensuring alignment and collaboration across all stakeholders to achieve programme objectives

For further information on the role and skills, please visit the Project Delivery Capability Framework:

Project Delivery Capability Framework – GOV.UK

Interested in learning more about the SKYNET Programme Manager role? Join us at our candidate briefing!

Learn more about this role by joining senior members of the team at our upcoming candidate brief. The candidate brief is being held on the dates below and we would love you to join to discuss this SKYNET Programme Manager role.

• 24 Jan 25: 12.00-13.00
• 31 Jan 25: 12.00-13.00

To confirm your attendance, please email us at ukstratcomdd-hr-talentacqdel@mod.gov.uk with your name and email address. We will then forward you a team’s invite to be able to join on the day.

**Please note that this post is open to a Sole UK British National only**

Qualifications

Please detail in your supporting statement or CV what equivalent qualifications you hold. Please note these should be current/in date.

• APM Project Management Qualification or equivalent.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments
• Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your well-being
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms
• Benefit Pension Scheme: Civil Service pension
• Please see Benefits link for more info: Civilian Discover My Benefits (mod.gov.uk)

Equality and Diversity

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.

Professional Framework Statement  

Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing.  Within Defence Digital each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.  

Learning & Development

In Defence Digital we have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Professional and Personal Development of skills
• Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by MOD
• Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD

Hybrid Working

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity. There will be a regular travel requirement to attend other locations for official business which will count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply, Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience, template provided on the CS Jobs dashboard. There will also be a section for you to provide your answers to the questions and each answer should be no longer than 500 words.

Please ensure your responses highlight your relevance to the essential criteria listed in the person specification. Your CV and evidence-based questions will be scored from 1-7 to determine your suitability for an interview.

Evidence Based Questions:

• What is your experience building a persuasive business case and how did you ensure that approving authority was confident in your ability to deliver against it?
• What is your experience delivering effective programme governance that inspires a team to deliver?

Please find below, a link to our video which gives you helpful tips and guidance on the CS Jobs application process: Watch

AI Usage in Job Applications

We encourage the use of technology to streamline the job application process. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be helpful in generating ideas, improving writing style, and increasing efficiency.  However, it is essential that any content submitted as part of a job application is truthful, accurate, and a genuine reflection of the applicant’s qualifications and experiences. Any use of AI should be supplementary to your own knowledge and abilities. Ultimately, the application should demonstrate your unique skills and suitability for the role.

We’ll assess you against these Behaviours and Technical Skills during the interview process:

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical Skills:

• Business Case Development
• Resource Management
• Governance

If you are invited for an interview, it will be held on site, in-person at MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR.  We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for interviews or assessments.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Contact point for applicantsJob contact :

• Name :Defence Digital Talent Acquisition Team
• Email :UKStratComDD-HR-TalentAcqDel@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email :DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £62,222.00-£66,427.00 per year

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Paid volunteer time
• Store discount
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Flexitime
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Corsham SN13 9NR

Application deadline: 31/01/2025
Reference ID: 382846