Programme Manager

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

As a Programme Manager, you will play a critical role in leading complex New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes across our global organisation. You will drive strategic projects from initiation through delivery, ensuring successful execution, stakeholder alignment and achievement of key business objectives.

The Programme Manager is responsible for the execution of the business case and contract in line with requirements and the agreed scope whilst supporting the Programme Director with NPI activities up to and including Lifecycle Gate 7 and with on-going management activities of the programme from Lifecycle Gate 7 and beyond. Furthermore the Programme Manager supports the Programme Director with Change Control Board activities.

Job Responsibilities

Reporting to the Programme Director, you will be accountable for the successful delivery of large-scale, cross-functional programs that impact multiple sites, customers and stakeholders. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage programme performance and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and in alignment with customer and regulatory requirements.

• Supports the execution of the programme (including changes) to comply with all the business case and contractual requirements for their products.
• Responsible for continuously monitoring the performance of the allocated programs, managing off-track items and for reporting progress through the PPS.
• Creates Program Improvement Plans including cost improvement, pricing initiatives, enable Zero Defects Manufacturing, redesign initiatives, gaining agreement with relevant stakeholders.
• Provides input to make, move, buy decisions and strategic procurement decisions.
• Acts as the voice of the customer.
• Supports the PD / VP in defining the vision, strategy, budget for the programme to optimize cash flow, profitability and growth.
• Adheres to all programme management standards and policies in accordance with the GKN Aerospace Programme Management framework and contribute to process development.
• Actively executes Risk, Issue and Opportunity Management to control and mitigate the risk exposure and take advantage of opportunities.
• Supports the PD in the proposal process.
• Responsible for planning and performance of Life Cycle Gate, including preceding Reviews.
• Responsible for updating Sales / Demand Plan and initiating demand management for serial purchase orders.
• Responsible for undertaking any other activity required to ensure successful delivery of the program.

Job Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Proven experience leading New Product Introduction, industrial transfers or large-scale transformation programmes.
• Strong programme management expertise within aerospace, manufacturing, engineering or other highly regulated industries.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across all organisational levels.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget ownership and business case management.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations or a related discipline. Programme Management certification is advantageous.

What's in it for you

We are committed to offer you a challenge but also a great opportunity to learn and grow. We want to offer you a career that can go to many directions thanks to our breadth of international opportunities. By being part of GKN Fokker Aerospace that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry, you will know that you will be working towards being the most trusted partner in the aerospace industry. We will support and promote your professional and personal development.

Furthermore, we will offer you:

• A salary in grade WTW-F13
• 8% holiday allowance
• 30 paid holidays for full-time employment
• An excellent pension scheme (PME)
• A pleasant and informal working environment, in which we work together to achieve the best result for our customers.

Next to a competitive package, we will offer you a world of opportunities: we want to see your career fly! We will support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.

How to apply

Apply online by sending us your CV. Due to data privacy reasons we do not handle any applications sent by email.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.