SO1 COMBAT AIR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PMO MANAGER

A vacancy has arisen for a Wing Commander to serve as SO1 COMBAT AIR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PMO MANAGER. This position is currently located at RAF Coningsby, but could potentially be relocated to RAF Marham with ECR action dependant on applicant, on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 01 September 2026.

The Combat Air Force is expanding with the growth of the F-35 Lightning and increasing demands on Typhoon and wider Force Elements. To maximise operational output and deliver CAS’s Optimise Directive, the Combat Air Development Programme (CADP) PMO is central to cohering delivery across the enterprise and is currently fully engaged with the development and delivery of Optimise as part of CAS Directives; the ‘North Stars’ for Typhoon and F35 have been approved by AOC 1 Gp and are currently being delivered.

This role is a key appointment within the Force HQ which offers challenge combined with a high profile and an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the CA Force. Working for the CA DFC’s, the responsibilities of the PMO Manager’s role are below.

• Lead the PMO driving its delivery of the CA Force HQ priorities.
• Be the Line Manager for SO2 PMO, and any other posts established within the PMO, including the management of CS, PTVR / VeRR reservist support.
• Manage, develop and maintain the core PMO skills, such as risk & benefits management, programme oversight, governance, scheduling, communications and stakeholder management.
• Provide PMO advice to the Force Cdr and OF5 Deputies.
• Shape & deliver additional programmatic support for the Force Cdr in his role as a Responsible Senior Owner (RSO).
• Actively drive stakeholder engagement, building effective internal and external relationships as required to enable the Force HQ and PMO delivery.
• Plan, develop and deliver the CA Optimise North Stars, including related projects and initiatives, in accordance with CAS’s Optimise Directive.
• Development and oversight of a Project Plan that coheres activity with Optimise development work across HQ 1 Gp, the 1 Gp Forces, and the wider Air and DE&S Enterprise.
• Support the development of the CASE enterprise work on future support opportunities across Typhoon and F35.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Wing Commander (Any), Lieutenant Colonel (Any) or Commander (Any)  

• The successful applicant will be required to travel between Combat Air Locations when required.
• NSV Security|Security Check|Joint|No

• Staff experience, preferably in a 1*/2* HQ organisation.
• Project / Programme Management qualification and experience, or suitable evidence of successful project delivery.
• Change Management experience.
• Experience of personnel management and stakeholder management.
• Combat Air experience.
• Experience, within industry or the Armed Forces, of working in complex and uncertain environments whilst understanding the bigger picture and delivering results under time pressure.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 (for officers) appraisal reports and other evidence as appropriate.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Wing Commander Veronica Beldon

Tel: veronica.beldon489@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 4 appraisal reports (as required). Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

Group Captain Andrew Shaw

Andrew.Shaw429@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 15 August 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 31 August 2026.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 5 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis. 

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent substantive rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant: this position will not be offered on promotion to sister Services.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF Coningsby.