Our successful Director Project Initiation will understand our intent and will take ownership for helping to create the inclusive culture and environment crucial for the Gateway’s success. They will be a proven and effective strategic leader, with excellent communication skills, capable and comfortable dealing with both complexity and uncertainty. They will be focused on delivery and will encourage innovation, dynamism, passion and speed in our approach to initiating projects to set them up for delivery success. I want them to work closely with colleagues across the Gateway as one team and collaborating across the wider Defence enterprise on projects and programmes within the portfolio, challenging traditional processes to deliver innovatively and faster. The position requires someone able to lead delivery of a complex, fast-paced and varied programme of work to support DE&S Partners (primarily but not limited to Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and UKStratCom) and the delivery of high priority projects to help protect the Nation and help it prosper.​

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The position offers huge professional challenge in an organisation that plays a crucial role in the security of the UK. This is an exciting time for DE&S and the Gateway, and we look forward to receiving your application.

Job description

Director Project Initiation has the following key areas of responsibility: 

• Leading a team of approx. 300 people with a portfolio starting at £2.5 Bn​
• Initiating projects across Environments (Land, Maritime & Air) and Technologies to enable smooth transition to the delivery team​
• Drawing in appropriate expertise to apply a systems approach, considering delivery through multiple lenses (e.g. International, Industry, Procurement Strategy, Project specialisation, support, Environmental, etc.)​
• Enable close collaboration across Defence to create deliverable equipment programme portfolios; increasing pace through development and approvals, reducing the time taken from setting requirements to delivery into service​
• Establish a systems approach delivering better holistic capability outcomes for Defence​
• Develop strong leadership talent for a range of multi-domain projects across Domains​
• Establish a learning environment supported by modern digital tools to ensure transparency of project performance across Defence​
• Incentivise effective delivery and desirable DE&S Behaviours and Culture​
• Build an environment and infrastructure to identify and provide expert support to Delivery Teams and SROs at the right time for the project/programme
• Making the Gateway ‘experience’ highly energising and positive for all personnel across DE&S and wider Defence​
• Working with wider Gateway, the team inform decision making using data from both project and industry performance; using comparators and market understanding from across the UK and International industry segments

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate all 6 essential criteria and where applicable the desirable criteria :

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

1. A proven track record of values-based leadership, including a proactive commitment to diversity & inclusion with demonstrable experience of maintaining a psychologically safe, positive and inclusive environment.​
2. Embody a servant leadership approach, with evidence of empowering your teams, providing clear direction and respecting the valuable contributions they make.​
3. Demonstrable experience of senior stakeholder engagement with an ability to understand the importance of partnering, constructive challenge and accountability.​
4. Thorough understanding of rapid procurement (Capability & Acquisition) of complex platforms, systems, weapons, in-service support, logistics and supply chain management.​
5. A track record and sound grasp of modern programme and portfolio planning, delivery, digital management systems, and financial and commercial acumen.​
6. Successful track record of delivery that will elicit the confidence of Ministers and Senior Leadership across the entire UK Defence Enterprise.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Engineering or Science Degree level qualification or MBA​
• Major Projects Leadership Academy / ChPP or equivalent