Delivery Manager (Defence Sector)

Join Kainos and Shape the Future

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators - driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting-edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people-first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

As a Delivery Manager at Kainos, you will be responsible for ensuring that Kainos’ innovative digital services and platforms meet the user need and the outcomes agreed between Kainos and the client, whilst ensuring our delivery follows good governance and quality standards. You will empower and support Kainos teams to perform well, learn and grow in a manner that is consistent with Kainos company values. You will leverage successful delivery and strong client relationships to explore opportunities to win follow-on business with existing customers. 

Minimum requirements:

• Active SC clearance is mandatory.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role with UK defence sector organizations is mandatory.

• Minimum 3 years of demonstrable success delivering bespoke software projects from scratch, using agile methodology for external customers.

• Proven experience is staffing, allocating and pricing the needed manpower for SW development scrum teams that can deliver large scale projects for the defence sector in the UK.

• Strong managerial skills, both direct and indirect.

• Experience in leading strategic customer relations, both with technical software teams and senior leadership in the defence sector.

• Strong commercial awareness and experience in managing finances, reporting on costs and overall monitoring budget plans of £5M or more.

• Excellent interpersonal skills. 

• Highly flexible (including a willingness to work away from home base).

The successful candidate will exhibit the following:

Governance 

• Ensure appropriate project governance arrangements and technical quality standards are developed and followed throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Effectively manage project risks and issues, escalating where appropriate.   

• Comply, and ensure team members comply, with all confidentiality and non-disclosure policies and agreements and ensure the security of information, at all times. 

Delivery 

• Understand critical success factors for the project (beyond the traditional measures: on time, on budget and to agreed scope) and ensure each work stream has a plan in place to achieve the success factors. 

• Be responsible for achieving or exceeding profitability targets plus accurate and timely forecasting and reporting of project variables (revenue, staffing, work in progress, debt etc.).  

• Exploit opportunities for adding value to the client, ensuring that expectations are proactively managed and issues are addressed promptly and appropriately. 

Team 

• Motivate and empower teams to create a positive and creative culture for our people to perform well, learn and grow.  

• Put people first & develop others – You’ll manage, coach and develop a small number of staff, with a focus on managing employee performance

• Ensure all team members have clear goals, receive regular feedback and have timely and constructive appraisals. 

• Ensure team members have learning and development objectives to acquire and maintain the skills necessary for the project. 

• Have responsibility for staffing teams and on-boarding of new team members. 

• Build and maintain constructive and collaborative relationships with the client, other suppliers and third-party stakeholders.  

Business Development & Account Management 

• Support future growth by working closely with Sales, Account Leads & Account Management teams, assisting where required with the sales/procurement cycle to best position Kainos to win profitable new business. 

• Promote successes Kainos-wide, to our customers and to the market, through case studies, award submissions, blogs, tweets etc. 

• Understand the contracts and commercial terms applying to our projects and ensure that Kainos is not compromised by non-compliance. 

• Professional Development and Growth 

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the Management Capability. 

• Understand current thinking from the Technology, Experience Design and Consulting capabilities and drive alignment accordingly. 

• Encourage innovation in technology and process both within the project and outside the project.   

• Proactively assist with recruitment activities to enable stable organisational growth.

Desirable:

• Experience of user research, analytics and design disciplines and their contribution to the effective delivery of digital services and platforms. 

• Evidence of securing significant follow-on business with an existing client. 

• Holds a current and recognised Project or Programme Management certification.

• Experience of project delivery aimed at digital transformation. Evidence of innovating or leading initiatives to improve management and leadership practices within a team or an organisation.

Embracing our differences  

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive.   We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are.   We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field.

Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out.

We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure that our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.