Head of Capability Accelerator Programme

Job Description

Delivering air launched capability at pace requires differentiated thinking and commitment to serving the user need. In an uncertain world, be at the heart of planning rapid and differentiated capabilities that gets cutting edge capability into the hands of our air users.

Salary: Circa £80,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 35.5%
• £510 Car Allowance per month
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.
• Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.

The opportunity:

Leading the charge to deliver a single integrated capability programme for our key stakeholders. We are seeking a driven individual to deliver the planning and coordination of future airborne capabilities from concept through to delivery. This pivotal role will operate at the heart of the Air Domain, ensuring that MBDA’s contribution to the wider Defence Enterprise remains coherent, forward-looking, and aligned with customer priorities. Our aim is to deliver capability to the front line and with your leadership and management we will be capable of achieving it at the pace required by our end user.

We are seeking a business-oriented leader who has a background of portfolio management in a defence capability role. You would be seeking to tackle business uncertainty and develop programmes that deliver capability outcomes that can be delivered and to understand uncertainty.

As part of the Airborne Systems Integration programmes team, you will be at the forefront of delivering to the UK customer initially with an eye on Europe and worldwide users. The team is small but takes the MBDA capability portfolio and delivers it in the air environment.

• Strategic Capability Planning: Lead the end-to-end strategic planning of airborne capabilities, from initial requirement through to delivery akin to a standard CADMID cycle.
• Requirements Management: Be accountable for overseeing and coordinating all incoming requirements from the wider Defence sector, ensuring they are captured, analysed, and prioritised effectively.
• Capability Assessment: Coordinate and direct a multidisciplinary team to conduct capability assessments and triage activities, ensuring timely and evidence-based decision-making.
• Capability Plan Generation: Lead the development and continuous evolution of the Capability Plan, ensuring coherence across current and future airborne programmes.
• Readiness Reviews: Responsible for conducting readiness reviews and providing evidence in support of submission to senior stakeholder reviews and governance boards.
• Change Leadership: Act as a driving force for change — both within the airborne sector and across the wider Defence enterprise — promoting innovation, collaboration, and agility.
• Leadership and Influence: Operate effectively as both a leader and follower, able to adapt to an evolving landscape while maintaining focus on delivery and strategic outcomes.

What we're looking for from you:

• Strong understanding of the Defence environment and airborne capability development lifecycle.
• Proven experience in capability planning, programme integration or enterprise-level coordination.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and delivery outcomes.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to operate confidently at all levels.
• A proactive mindset, comfortable driving change and shaping strategy in complex, dynamic environments.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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