Programme Lead - Strategic Infrastructure Delivery

Programme Lead – Strategic Infrastructure Delivery International Engineering & Construction | Ukraine and UK based | Executive Leadership | Full Portfolio Control | 6 month fixed term contract with future prospect for permanent position The Opportunity

We're seeking an exceptional Programme Lead to take strategic ownership of major construction and infrastructure delivery programmes operating across challenging, international environments. This is a position for someone with the experience, confidence, and commercial acumen to step into a leadership role that combines hands‑on programme management with strategic portfolio oversight.

Large-scale infrastructure programmes, full lifecycle delivery from concept through handover, multi-disciplinary teams, complex stakeholder landscapes, and ambitious growth.

70% time in Ukraine, 30% UK-based. This is genuine international project delivery in a demanding but secure operational environment.

You'll own delivery of all programme objectives, drive governance and risk management, lead stakeholder engagement at executive level, manage commercial strategy and change control, and – critically - identify and pursue opportunities to expand the portfolio beyond current clients.

You'll manage programmes worth tens of millions, negotiate with clients and suppliers, make commercial decisions, develop cost strategies, chair governance forums, and build the team around you. You're accountable for success - financial, technical, and strategic.

You'll maintain the integrated master programme and drive delivery against milestones and budgets. You'll chair quarterly governance reviews, lead design coordination, and elevate strategic risks to senior leadership. Your master schedules, risk registers, and governance dashboards will be the foundation of how these programmes operate.

You'll manage emergent works processes, develop quotations, enforce change control, and navigate complex contractual frameworks (NEC, JCT, DEFCON). You'll oversee procurement strategy, manage subcontractor networks, and make the commercial calls that protect margin and delivery. You're comfortable negotiating with clients and suppliers at senior level.

You'll be the primary point of contact for client delivery discussions. You'll manage relationships with government stakeholders, chair programme reviews, support commercial negotiations, and represent the programme at senior level. You'll communicate progress, risks, and strategy clearly and confidently to executives and clients alike.

You understand building codes, compliance standards, and construction methodology. You'll drive design assurance at key stages, embed lessons learned, oversee quality processes, and ensure international standards compliance across all delivery phases.

You'll maintain the programme risk register, monitor mitigation strategies, oversee site safety compliance, and investigate incidents. You lead by example on safety and drive a culture of compliance and continuous improvement.

As directed, you'll support business development activities - responding to tenders, developing schedules, building cost estimates, and contributing to technical responses. You'll identify and propose expansion opportunities to grow the portfolio beyond current scope.

You'll manage a team directly, ensure succession planning, identify skills gaps, develop talent, and maintain an inclusive, safe working environment. You're responsible for your team's performance and professional growth.

• 10+ years managing large-scale construction programmes through full lifecycle: concept, design, procurement, construction, handover
• Proven track record in complex, regulated, or defence-adjacent environments
• Strong commercial background with NEC, JCT, or government contract frameworks
• Multi-disciplinary team leadership across engineering, construction, and supplier networks
• Programme-level risk management and governance
• Senior stakeholder engagement experience

• Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or equivalent professional experience
• Recognised Project/Programme qualification: APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMP, or MSP
• CSCS card or equivalent site safety certification

• Deep understanding of construction methods, building codes, and compliance
• Proficiency in scheduling tools
• Strong grasp of health & safety legislation and quality assurance
• Strategic thinking paired with tactical execution
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to work in challenging, austere, or international environments

• Chartered status (ICE, CIOB, RICS)
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA, Programme Management,…