Programme Delivery Manager (x3)

Job summary

Do you want to work on one or the most exciting transformation projects in the public sector?

The Defence Housing Service (DHS) is being created through the Armed Forces Bill to deliver a step-change in housing for the UK’s Armed Forces and their families following the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy on 3 November 2025, which marked the most significant change to Armed Forces housing in over 50 years. DHS will bring a dedicated focus to improving the homes, communities and lived experience of Service personnel, placing families firmly at the heart of everything it does.

This is one of the most ambitious housing transformation programmes in the UK today. Backed by a £9.2 billion investment, DHS will modernise tens of thousands of homes, introduce a more proactive and customer-focused approach to maintenance, and unlock new opportunities to develop housing on Defence land. DHS will have the focus and agility to deliver change at pace, combining public service values with greater flexibility to build the skills, systems and partnerships needed for the future.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of shaping its culture, influencing how it works, and helping deliver lasting improvements for Service families across the UK.

The Defence Housing team is currently part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), who respond to the evolving needs of our military personnel, and the ways in which they live, work, train and deploy. We are proud to be the expert partner Defence needs for all their infrastructure requirements. From large scale infrastructure projects such as runways for the F35 fighter jets to net carbon-zero accommodation for our Service families, our activities focus relentlessly on our customers, and our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe! DIO , What we deliver every day.

The future delivery model for this team is currently under review and may change as part of potential organisational developments. This could include the team or function transferring to a different employer or organisational structure in the future. Should activities transfer out of the Ministry of Defence existing employees transferring with those activities will maintain the same or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment.

Job description

We are looking to recruit 3 Programme Delivery Managers to work in the following teams:

1. Continuous Improvement; leading the Improvement Portfolio Office
2. Strategy, Policy and Partnerships; leading strategic stakeholder engagement, sponsorship relationships and policy coordination
3. Operational Delivery; leading the delivery of performance improvements and customer outcomes across a large, geographically dispersed UK housing portfolio, enhancing the lived experience of Service personnel and their families.

As a Programme Delivery Manager, you will lead the successful delivery of complex programmes, projects and improvement initiatives, ensuring they achieve intended outcomes and deliver measurable benefits.

Working across a diverse portfolio of programmes, projects and change initiatives, you will provide governance, assurance and delivery oversight to support successful outcomes across the Defence Housing Service (DHS). You will work closely with senior leaders, delivery teams and external partners to monitor progress, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure strategic priorities are translated into effective, deliverable plans.

Combining hands-on programme and project delivery with portfolio management responsibilities, you will play a key role in driving organisational performance and continuous improvement. The role requires strong stakeholder management, excellent organisational skills and the ability to influence decision-making in a complex environment, while promoting best practice and strengthening delivery capability across DHS.

What you’ll be doing;

• Lead the successful delivery of programmes, projects and priority workstreams from initiation through to implementation, benefits realisation and closure.
• Translate strategic priorities and business objectives into clear delivery plans, milestones, outcomes and measurable benefits.
• Manage programme and project delivery against agreed scope, timelines, quality standards and outcomes, taking corrective action where required.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, suppliers and stakeholders to maintain delivery momentum and remove barriers to progress.
• Develop and maintain key delivery documentation, including business cases, plans, risk registers, dependency logs and benefits tracking.
• Maintain oversight of programme, project and change activity across the portfolio, ensuring accurate reporting on progress, risks and performance.
• Provide senior leaders with timely portfolio insights, performance updates and evidence-based recommendations to support decision-making.
• Identify, manage and escalate risks, issues, dependencies and constraints that could impact successful delivery.
• Design and maintain effective governance and assurance arrangements that support robust oversight and control of delivery activity.
• Prepare and present high-quality information, reporting and briefing materials for governance boards and senior leadership forums.
• Provide guidance, challenge and support to programme and project teams, promoting consistent delivery standards and best practice.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, delivery partners and suppliers to enable coordinated delivery.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to resolve competing priorities, secure decisions and ensure alignment with organisational objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned, promoting innovation and embedding effective portfolio, programme and project management practices.
• Support the successful transition of new policies, services and improvements into operational delivery, ensuring readiness and sustainable outcomes.

Whilst this role is advertised as a full-time position of 37 hours per week, we recognise the benefits of flexible working and are open to discussing part-time hours, job share arrangements, or other flexible working patterns with suitable candidates. Regular in person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Person specification

We would welcome applications from candidates with experience in housing, infrastructure, programme delivery, PMO leadership, governance or stakeholder management.

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Significant experience leading complex programmes, projects or business change initiatives from inception through to implementation, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes and measurable benefits.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience building productive relationships and securing commitment from senior leaders, multidisciplinary teams, delivery partners and external organisations.
• Proven ability to translate strategic priorities, policy objectives or organisational requirements into structured delivery plans