Dependency Manager

We are seeking a senior Dependency Manager to lead cross-programme dependency management across Land ISTAR, sensor integration, and wider NAD services. This is a critical role operating at programme and portfolio level, ensuring dependencies are proactively managed to enable coherent delivery, reduce integration risk, and maximise operational capability outcomes. Beyond coordination, this role will act as a trusted advisor to Programme Boards and Senior Responsible Owners (SROs)-enabling risk-informed decision-making, shaping trade-offs, and ensuring both threats and opportunities., Cross-Programme Dependency Leadership:

• Lead identification, mapping, and active management of dependencies across Land ISTAR programmes, sensor integration initiatives, and Zodiac delivery.
• Maintain a comprehensive, integrated dependency and interlock view across NAD programmes and portfolios.
• Ensure clear ownership, accountability, and timely resolution of dependencies across multiple delivery organisations.
Internal & External Integration:
• Coordinate dependencies across NAD service lines and Service Executives, ensuring alignment of priorities, timelines, and capability delivery.
• Manage external dependencies across Front Line Commands (FLCs), suppliers, and multi-vendor delivery environments.
• Enable integration across digital, platform, and operational domains to support end-to-end capability delivery.
Opportunity & Value Management:
• Identify and manage opportunity dependencies (upside risks), ensuring value realisation and optimisation across programmes.
• Work with stakeholders to protect and enhance programme benefits through proactive dependency management.
• Align dependency management with benefits realisation and Defence capability outcomes, not just delivery milestones.
Risk-Informed Decision Support:
• Act as a trusted advisor to SROs and Programme Boards, framing dependency-driven trade-offs, risks, and options.
• Provide clear insight into the impact of dependencies on schedule, cost, performance, and operational outcomes.
• Enable evidence-based decision-making through structured analysis and clear communication.
Commercial & Supplier Dependency Integration:
• Integrate dependency management with commercial strategies, supplier performance, and contractual frameworks.
• Identify and manage dependencies arising from multi-vendor environments, including alignment of incentives and delivery commitments.
• Support commercial and procurement teams in managing supplier-related risks and interdependencies.
Security, Accreditation & Cyber Dependencies:
• Explicitly manage dependencies related to security, accreditation, and cyber assurance, recognising these as critical delivery enablers within NAD.
• Ensure alignment with Defence security policies, accreditation timelines, and cyber risk management requirements.
• Highlight and escalate risks associated with security constraints or delays impacting delivery.
People & Clearance Dependencies:
• Identify and manage dependencies related to resource availability, SC clearance constraints, and key personnel risks.
• Highlight risks related to skills gaps, succession planning, and single points of failure within teams and suppliers.
• Support workforce planning by providing visibility of people-related dependencies impacting delivery.
Governance, Escalation & Independent Challenge:
• Establish clear dependency governance frameworks, including thresholds, escalation routes, and reporting mechanisms.
• Provide independent challenge to programme leadership on unrealistic assumptions, misaligned dependencies, or delivery risks.
• Exercise authority to escalate material concerns to Programme Boards, SROs, and assurance bodies without compromise.
Integration with Planning & Delivery:
• Embed dependency management within integrated programme planning, scheduling, and delivery governance.
• Ensure dependencies are reflected in plans, milestones, and critical paths across programmes.
• Align dependencies with release schedules, integration events, and operational deployment timelines.
Tooling, Data & Reporting:
• Utilise enterprise planning and portfolio tools to capture, manage, and visualise dependencies.
• Ensure data quality, consistency, and traceability across dependency registers and reporting artefacts.
• Provide high-quality reporting and insights to senior stakeholders and governance forums.
Continuous Improvement & Best Practice:
• Drive maturity in dependency management practices across NAD programmes.
• Promote lessons learned, standardisation, and best practice aligned to HMG and Defence frameworks.
  
  Essential:
• Proven experience in dependency management at programme or portfolio level within Defence or complex government environments.
• Strong understanding of cross-programme integration, particularly in digital, data, and platform-based delivery.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders (SROs, Boards, Service Executives) and influencing decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex interdependencies across technical, commercial, security, and operational domains.
• Experience in multi-supplier environments and integrating dependencies with commercial and contractual arrangements.
• Strong analytical, communication, and facilitation skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly