Principal Delivery Manager (Defence)

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 Principal Delivery Manager at Kainos, you’ll lead the successful delivery of complex digital transformation programmes across in one of our Sector client in Defence. You’ll create the conditions for multiple multidisciplinary teams and suppliers to deliver measurable outcomes, while maintaining clear governance, strong commercial performance and trusted senior client relationships.

You’ll work with Director and C-level stakeholders to understand their priorities, shape delivery strategy and identify opportunities to deepen our relationships and grow our accounts. You’ll also take ownership of capacity and resourcing across your engagements, working closely with account teams and BU Operations to ensure we have the right people in place.

At Kainos, we put people first. You’ll lead, coach and empower delivery teams, helping individuals thrive while contributing to the continued development of our Sector business and wider Delivery capability.

You will be responsible for:

Delivery

• Lead complex, high-value digital programmes across multiple teams, workstreams and suppliers, ensuring delivery is aligned to strategic goals and achieves measurable outcomes for customers and end users.
• Define the critical success factors for each programme, going beyond time, budget and scope to include long-term impact, client satisfaction and continuous improvement.
• Provide senior delivery leadership in fast-moving and challenging environments, making reasoned decisions that balance client priorities, Kainos commercial interests and the impact on our people.
• Create clarity across programmes by setting direction, aligning plans and ensuring dependencies, risks and delivery challenges are actively managed.

Commercial and account growth

• Take ownership of programme financial performance, meeting or exceeding agreed profitability targets and ensuring accurate forecasting and reporting of cost, revenue and margin.
• Understand the contracts and commercial terms that apply to your programmes, ensuring Kainos is protected, and delivery remains compliant.
• Build trusted relationships with Director and C-level stakeholders, proactively managing expectations, and strengthening confidence in Kainos as a delivery partner.
• Identify and develop opportunities to grow the Sector accounts you support, contributing to account strategy, customer conversations, proposals, bids and pitches.
• Work closely with Sales, Account Leads and Account Management teams to shape compelling responses that reflect client needs, procurement requirements, and evolving priorities.

Team and capability leadership

• Create an inclusive, high-performing environment where multidisciplinary teams can do their best work, learn, and continuously improve.
• Lead, coach and develop delivery leaders and programme teams, setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback and supporting meaningful development objectives.
• Take ownership of capacity and staffing across your engagements, working with BU Operations to anticipate demand, make effective resourcing decisions, and support the onboarding of new team members.
• Contribute to recruitment, succession planning and the continued growth of the Delivery capability.
• Take on wider management and leadership responsibilities across the Sector business and broader Delivery capability when required.

Governance, assurance and risk

• Establish and maintain proportionate programme governance, with clear accountability, effective decision-making and robust technical quality standards.
• Actively manage programme risks, issues and dependencies, escalating appropriately to protect delivery outcomes and maintain client confidence.
• Provide appropriate assurance across multiple workstreams and suppliers, ensuring progress, quality and commercial performance are visible and understood.
• Ensure teams comply with confidentiality, non-disclosure and information security requirements at all times.
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Encourage innovation in technology, process and ways of working, helping teams use new tools and approaches to improve delivery effectiveness, team experience and customer outcomes.
• Lead and implement improvements that increase efficiency and create value for clients and Kainos.
• Share learning and celebrate success across Kainos, with customers and through relevant external industry channels.
• Contribute to continuous improvement within the Management capability and maintain awareness of current thinking across Technology, Experience Design and Consulting.

Minimum requirements:

• Significant experience delivering complex digital programmes within a consultancy, professional services or comparable environment.
• Digital delivery experience and stakeholder management in a complex environment.
• Proven experience leading large-scale digital transformation programmes across multiple teams and suppliers.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments.
• A strong track record of delivering successful outcomes while balancing customer needs, commercial objectives, and delivery performance.
• Experience establishing programme governance and managing risks, issues and assurance within complex delivery environments.
• Experience building trusted relationships and influencing senior stakeholders, including Director and/or C-level decision makers.
• Experience leading, developing and coaching high-performing teams, including line management responsibility.
• Excellent communication, influencing and decision-making skills, with the ability to operate effectively in complex stakeholder environments.
• Flexibility to work on customer sites and travel when required.
• Active SC clearance (lived in the UK continuously for 5 years, background checks).

Desirable:

• Experience delivering programmes within central government, healthcare, defence or another highly regulated environment.
• Broad technology experience and awareness of emerging trends, including AI, with curiosity about how they can improve delivery effectiveness and customer outcomes.
• Strong business development and account growth experience, including account planning, bids, proposals, and procurement activities.
• Evidence of securing follow-on work or expanding existing client relationships.
• Experience leading improvements to management, delivery or leadership practices across a team, account or 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.

Originally posted on Himalayas