Infrastructure Programme Director (Clyde)

The infrastructure programmes and projects delivered by this role directly support the Continuous At Sea Deterrence (CASD) and submarine operations, including establishing a Submarine Centre of Specialisation at HMNB Clyde. This includes the core infrastructure work for Programme Euston, the Integrated Weapons Complex, the Clyde Infrastructure Programme, future berthing and docking capability, and site-wide utilities. Current annual spend is approximately 350m and is expected to rise to 600m750m in future years.

The role provides functional leadership for infrastructure delivery and P3M assurance, leading blended civil service and contractor teams. It requires managing complex stakeholder relationships, including political and devolved considerations, to optimise performance.

The role will lead the development of the Nuclear Baseline Organisational work for DIO work at Clyde, driving consistency in programme and project management and championing continuous improvement, ensuring delivery to cost, schedule, performance, safety and compliance standards. This sits within the overall HMNB Clyde nuclear arrangements and the Royal Navy Commodores responsibilities as site authorisee.

Operating within a highly regulated, safety-critical environment, the role is focussed primarily on the HMB Clyde sites at Faslane and Coulport but will also include potential future sites associated with the CTP, all of which have significant interdependencies across MOD, industry and government.

While governance, commercial frameworks and nuclear regulatory requirements must be met, the role offers flexibility in decision-making and relies heavily on strong communication, influencing and leadership.

The DIO Programme Director will lead the delivery of major infrastructure programmes and projects across the Clyde Naval Base estate, providing strategic leadership across programme delivery, commercial management, stakeholder engagement, and organisational development. The role is responsible for ensuring programmes and projects are delivered safely, compliantly, and within agreed cost, schedule, and performance targets, while driving continuous improvement and building a collaborative, high-performing delivery organisation.

• Provide strategic leadership for the successful delivery of a complex portfolio of nuclear capital infrastructure programmes across HMNB Clyde, with a current annual spend of C350M. Ensure alignment with Defence Nuclear Enterprise priorities and operational requirements through the full project lifecycle, from development and governance through to execution, commissioning, and operational handover.
• Direct multidisciplinary programme, engineering, commercial, project controls, and delivery teams, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing delivery culture (presently 9 direct reports, 35 Civil Service staff and over 100 industry embedded staff).
• Oversee programme governance, assurance, risk management, reporting, and performance activities to support effective decision-making and delivery confidence. Act as the senior DIO delivery lead for Clyde Nuclear infrastructure activity, ensuring alignment with Defence Nuclear Enterprise priorities and operational requirements.
• Lead the financial and commercial management of a multi-billion-pound infrastructure portfolio, including programme budgets, supplier and contract management, commercial approvals, and ensuring delivery within agreed cost, schedule, and governance requirements
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders including defence customers, regulators, government bodies, contractors, industry partners, the designated SRO, and Naval Base Commander, managing complex political and operational interfaces, ensuring alignment with wider MoD programmes, and de-conflicting competing priorities.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant nuclear, safety, security, assurance and regulatory requirements associated with nuclear defence infrastructure delivery.
• Drive organisational capability development, workforce planning, and continuous improvement across programme delivery and client-side maturity, implementing a robust performance management regime across DIO and its supply chain partners.

Essential Criteria:

• Successful track record leading large-scale (>500m), complex construction and infrastructure programmes and projects within regulated, safety-critical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver major projects and programmes within strict cost, schedule, and performance parameters, ensuring high-quality outcomes.
• Experience operating at senior level within organisations of significant scale, providing visible leadership and contributing to strategic outcomes.
• Strong track record of working with and driving performance across complex supply chains and delivery partners to achieve programme objectives.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop large, multidisciplinary teams, fostering high performance, engagement, and a diverse and inclusive culture.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including influencing senior stakeholders, working across organisational boundaries to shape direction and outcomes.
• Construction or property qualifications: to L5 HNC / HND or higher or a Chartered Engineer, Construction or Property Professional (CEng, RBIA, RICS, CIOB or equivalent)

Desirable:

• The requisite knowledge and experience to build the capacity and capability required within the nuclear baseline organisation at Clyde.