Programme Director

Location: Waterbeach

Purpose

The Programme Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, and delivery performance of all customer programmes across ACS UK’s aircraft interiors portfolio. The Programme Director ensures that programmes are delivered on time, to schedule, to cost, to contracted scope, to the required aerospace quality and certification standards and with strong customer alignment throughout the lifecycle.

The Programme Director will foster collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality and Commercial functions in all programme related sites to ensure fully integrated programme delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Strategy & Governance

- Define and lead the enterprise‑wide programme management strategy, processes, and governance frameworks.

- Establish standardised stage‑gate, risk management, change control, and reporting mechanisms across all product lines.

- Ensure compliance with aerospace regulations, customer requirements, and internal quality standards.

- Drive consistent performance management through KPIs covering cost, schedule, quality, certification status, risk exposure, and customer satisfaction.

2. Leadership of Programme Delivery

- Provide senior oversight of all ACS UK programmes, including new product introductions (NPIs), major production programmes, modifications, and after‑market projects.

- Lead the Head of NPI, the Head of Programme Delivery and Programme Managers to ensure robust planning, resource management and cross‑functional execution.

- Ensure integrated teams for NPI and Programme Delivery are effective and provide a robust framework for Design for Manufacture, Standardisation, Schedule Control, Process Adherence, Programme Gateway and Change Sign Off, Escalation Management and Cost Oversight.

- Resolve escalations, remove roadblocks, and ensure decisions are made at the right level and pace.

- Maintain strong alignment between programme delivery and Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Commercial teams.

3. Customer Engagement & Relationship Management

- Act as the senior point of contact for key airline and OEM customers on programme‑related matters.

- Lead customer governance forums, programme reviews, and strategic alignment sessions.

- Ensure customer expectations are understood, managed, and exceeded through proactive communication and transparent risk/opportunity management.

4. Financial & Commercial Ownership

- Own programme budgets, forecasts, and profitability performance.

- Ensure robust cost control, EAC (estimate at completion) management, and early escalation of variances.

- Work with the Head of Commercial and Head of Finance to shape commercial models, contract structures, and recovery plans.

- Oversee claims, concessions, and contract amendments, ensuring commercial protection and value capture.

5. Cross‑Functional Integration & Organisational Effectiveness

- Drive alignment between engineering design, industrialisation, supply chain readiness, and manufacturing capability to ensure smooth programme execution.

- Work closely with the Chief Technical Officer and Head of NPI to ensure technical solutions meet programme deliverables.

- Ensure Operations, Planning, Supply Chain, and Quality functions are fully prepared for programme milestones, certification events, and manufacturing ramp-up.

- Shape workforce planning, competencies, and resource allocation for programme teams.

6. Risk, Change & Issue Management

- Establish clear, proactive risk management and mitigation processes.

- Oversee engineering and production change control, ensuring stability and cost/schedule control.

- Lead recovery plans for at‑risk programmes and implement systemic improvements across the portfolio.

7. Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

- Contribute to ACS UK’s long‑term strategy, product development roadmap, and global operating model.

- Identify opportunities for efficiency, standardisation, and organisational maturity in programme execution.

- Support M&A integration or international expansion initiatives where programme governance is required.

- Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross‑functional…