Head of Autonomous & Complex Systems Services

In this role you lead the UK MMCM In-Service Support contracts within Thales' Underwater Systems business, shaping the future support model for autonomous and maritime systems. You will collaborate with the UK and France teams to ensure successful adoption, operation, and maintenance of complex capabilities across their life cycle. The role combines delivery leadership, strategic development, and customer-focused service excellence to drive growth in autonomous naval services.

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day Friday
• 28 days leave + holidays
• Private healthcare
• Competitive pension
• Life assurance

• Lead delivery of Royal Navy MMCM In-Service Support contracts meeting cost, quality and schedule targets
• Manage transition from development/qualification to full service operations
• Deliver UK element of MMCM support in collaboration with Thales France
• Maintain high customer satisfaction through service delivery and stakeholder engagement
• Own programme planning, governance, reporting, financial performance and resources
• Drive project performance and protect/improve profitability
• Lead service reviews and governance meetings
• Identify and resolve delivery challenges and escalate as needed
• Ensure governance aligns with Thales Chorus 2 processes
• Jointly define future MMCM support model across UK and France
• Develop business cases for investment in future support capabilities
• Support bid and capture activities and shape new service solutions
• Contribute to MWaaS offerings and future autonomous support solutions
• Lead support strategy for future programmes including MHC Block 2
• Identify growth opportunities and support business development in autonomous systems
• Lead and develop a team of 10–20 across multiple locations
• Build relationships with customers, Royal Navy stakeholders and international partners
• Collaborate with engineering, commercial, finance, procurement, sales, quality and operations
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and customer focus

• Significant experience in project, programme or service delivery management within a complex engineering or defence environment
• Strong understanding of project management disciplines covering cost, quality and schedule management
• APMP qualification or equivalent project management experience
• Experience delivering support services and managing service-based contracts
• Knowledge of through-life support principles and service delivery frameworks
• Experience managing customer relationships and achieving high levels of customer satisfaction
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including ability to interpret detailed project financial data
• Experience supporting bids, capture activities and business growth initiatives
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills
• Ability to lead multi-functional and geographically dispersed teams
• Experience identifying risks and opportunities and translating these into practical delivery plans
• Degree-level qualification in a technical, engineering or business-related discipline, or equivalent experience

• Stakeholder management
• Communication
• Leadership
• Project/delivery management
• Through-life support
• Autonomous maritime systems