Head of Programmes Excellence

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Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection's threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

As a senior professional or manager of experienced professionals the Head of Programmes Excellence (HPE) is assigned to Technology Programmes to provide the Portfolio Director with additional portfolio level and supervisory capacity. The HPE leads, monitors and controls the activities of the programme/project management team within the portfolio to achieve project/programme objectives. The role includes responsibility for portfolio level duties such as planning, project controls and reviews to inform forecasting and decision making. The HPE is responsible for achieving delivery excellence across the portfolio by applying a broad range of recognised project management methodologies and maintaining compliance with process. The HPE role incorporates Senior Programme Manager (SPM) duties and when required will undertake delivery of major complex programmes/projects, managing integrated project teams in a matrix organisation. This includes team leadership covering both project delivery and support. The SPM within Smiths Detection is a versatile role and day-to-day duties will vary in accordance with the needs of a portfolio, however, the overall job purpose remains the same.

• This incorporates taking both a lead role with the application of programme/project management and supervising Project Controls or Project Management Office activities.
• Drive effective project governance and delivery excellence across the portfolio of projects/programmes in the market.
• Verify compliance and undertake continuous development, optimisation, maintenance and training of methods, processes, work instructions and tools with the aim of achieving the highest quality standards across the entire Commercial Lifecycle Process.
• Develop and maintain required reporting standards. Organise and moderate regular programme/project reviews to identify and document relevant deviations and key risks/opportunities at a portfolio level or specific to programmes/projects.
• Coordinate the accurate forecasting of concept to market programmes/projects to achieve portfolio financial objectives.
• Ensure regular auditing (internal and occasional external) is conducted on programmes/projects.
• Assist the Director with the induction and training of new personnel and with inculcating the application of industry best practice for programmes/projects delivery across the team.
• Act as the designated Deputy for the Director in his global capacity. This will include duties such as supervising activities of team members and leading or providing representation at reviews or internal/external meetings, as required.
• During periods of absence of the Director, exercise supervisory activities of global team members.

Portfolio specific duties:

• Lead the Single Point of Entry (SPOE) and Project Prioritisation (POP) process, including ensuring that continuous improvement is applied. As well as supporting and advising all sites on this process, the incumbent will also lead the Wiesbaden SPOE. Stakeholder management across the commercial landscape is key to this role.
• Support the Director in transformation acceleration activities and implementation of change and transformation across the Portfolio, Innovation and Digital Business area, including liaison with other transformation work streams, and development of the new PID portfolios.
• Drive the Portfolio-wide planning process to ensure better use of resources across the Technology function.
• Mentor and Coach Global TPM members to enhance personal performance and train in PM best practice.
• With support from Project Controls conduct monthly variance analysis for explaining and interpreting impact against the baseline and the completion and tracking of corrective/preventative actions. Present this information at monthly project reviews or ad-hoc as required.
• Act as a role model and mentor to junior PM team members. Provide ad-hoc support based on their experience.
• Embrace and act as a champion for collaboration across Global Programmes and the wider global Smiths Detection business. Responsible for integrating assigned Commercial and/or Technology projects where necessary to maximise effective end-to-end delivery.

People and Talent Management:

• Ensure disciplined application of project management across entire remit.
• Effective leadership and development of assigned project management professionals.
• Identify development activities to support professional development needs of team members in conjunction with building individual development plans.
• The HPE will effectively exploit and develop the knowledge of people from all functions.
• Map programmes or work and understand the different role profiles, team structures and competencies required to deliver the goals and objectives of the project/programme.
• Create inclusive and coordinated project/programme environments to maximise the effectiveness of teams to achieve project/programme success and for individuals to develop.

Qualifications

Educational requirements:

• Internationally recognised professional qualification in project management (equivalent to IPMA level B/C or APMQ) essential.
• Degree qualification (HND minimum) in relevant discipline (Business/Project Management or Technology/Engineering) desirable.

Technical Knowledge

• Extensive experience as a project/programme manager, with a full understanding of the complete project/programme lifecycle and varying levels of complexity.
• Direct experience in engineering/technology or construction/infrastructure environments is desirable.
• Proven ability to lead integrated teams and solve problems to ensure successful project/programme delivery.
• Developed expertise in baseline planning, scheduling, forecasting, estimating, and cost/schedule integration.
• Exposure to resource management and integration with Integrated Business Planning.
• Experienced in critical path analysis, reporting, risk management tracking, and implementing corrective action plans.
• Familiar with estimating, scheduling, risk, and change software tools such as SAP, Primavera, Oracle ERP, MS Project, Pertmaster, Active Risk Manager, Cobra, and Power BI.
• Capable of driving continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility using both formal and informal methods.
• Extensive experience in product development, including product introduction, enhancement, and customer management in a commercial environment.
• Strong knowledge of project/programme management methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, SAFe, Agile) and planning techniques like earned value management.
• Awareness of complex integrated technology-based sensor systems and their market roles.
• Understanding of cross-functional priorities and how teams like R&D, Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, and Service support technology development projects.

Competence and Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a natural passion to deliver against commitments.
• Ability to communicate in English at all levels of the organisation recognising the level of details that is required for a particular audience.
• Advanced vision, attention to detail, highly organised and proven ability to work under own initiative developing methods and procedures for new assignments.
• Capable of producing special reports for the Senior Leadership Team within short timescales and comfortable working with ambiguity.
• Leading the application of change activities from proposal through to integration into the Performance Measurement Baseline.

Additional Information

Join us and we'll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You'll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You'll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.