Operations Director - Defense

We are partnering with a well-established, fast-growing engineering and technology business delivering complex, mission-critical solutions into highly regulated and security-sensitive environments. The organisation is seeking a Division Director to lead its Defense business unit during a period of sustained growth.

This is a senior executive role
, reporting directly to the COO, with full responsibility for the commercial, operational, and strategic performance of the division.

• Lead the end-to-end performance of the Defense Division, with full P&L accountability
• Oversee a portfolio of complex, engineered defense programs
  , ensuring excellence in delivery, cost, schedule, quality, and risk
• Act as Senior Project on select strategic or high-visibility programs
• Serve as the senior interface with government customers, national laboratories, prime contractors, and key stakeholders
• Drive strong PMO governance
  , scalable execution systems, and a disciplined, high-performance culture

• 12+ years’ senior leadership experience in defense, nuclear, or similarly regulated industries
• Demonstrated ownership of business unit profitability
  , forecasting, and commercial performance
• Strong background in program and project portfolio management
  , including EVMS and cost control
• Deep understanding of operating in secure, export-controlled, and compliance-driven environments
• Executive presence with the ability to engage confidently with senior customers, partners, and regulators

• Engineering or technical degree required; advanced degree or MBA preferred
• PMP, PE, or equivalent certification highly desirable
• Will involve regular customer engagement and travel
• Due to the nature of the work,
  existing eligibility to access controlled and export-restricted information is required

This is a senior leadership opportunity to take ownership of a critical defense-focused division within a business delivering complex, high-integrity engineering solutions.

All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence.