Programme Manager

Programme Manager Location: Reading - hybrid (3 days per week onsite) Duration: Until 23rd April 2027 Rate: £87.16 p/h Umbrella IR35: Inside Clearance: SC Clearance is mandatory, DV is preferred - UK Eyes Only Overview Our client, a leading organisation within the defence and security sector, is seeking a Programme Manager with strong IT supplier management expertise to support strategic supplier governance and service delivery. The role offers the opportunity to work within a highly regulated aerospace and defence environment, based in Reading on a hybrid basis with three days onsite each week.

Responsibilities:

Support the definition and execution of the IT supplier strategy in alignment with business, technology and value stream objectives

• Manage the end-to-end IT supplier lifecycle, including evaluation, selection, tendering, contract negotiation, performance management and offboarding
• Establish and operate a robust IT supplier governance framework, including service level agreements and performance metrics
• Act as a key liaison between Digital Information teams, business stakeholders, procurement, finance and external suppliers
• Lead supplier review meetings to monitor customer satisfaction, service quality and SLA performance
• Identify and resolve supplier service gaps, risks, compliance issues and performance concerns
• Support budget management, cost-saving initiatives and continuous improvement across the IT supplier portfolio
• Participate in key service and business meetings, including Change Advisory Boards and IT operations meetingsSkillset/experience required: Experience in IT supplier management, including supplier identification, evaluation, contracting, performance management and offboarding
• Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating complex IT contracts, ideally within an international or highly regulated environment
• Understanding of IT compliance, risk management and regulatory requirements
• Experience defining and implementing IT supplier strategies and governance frameworks
• Good knowledge of the IT supplier landscape, including system integrators and their service offerings
• Strong process creation, stakeholder management and communication skills
• Demonstrable experience improving supplier performance, cost effectiveness and customer satisfaction
• Background delivering architecture or technology services within MOD, Defence Digital or UK aerospace environmentsDesirable:
• CIPS, ITIL, PMP or related professional certification
• Experience managing or overseeing the transition of IT supplier contracts between legal entities
• Experience supporting tendering, contract renewal and supplier transition programmes