Programme Manager – Autonomous Systems

techUK

Programme Manager responsible for advancing autonomous systems for UK public sector at techUK. Collaborating with stakeholders to enhance capability and shape policy in defense and emergency services.

Posted 7/27/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSenior💰 £35,000 - £42,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Present techUK as the voice of the technology industry to government departments, regulators and key stakeholders, whilst building new relationships and furthering programme priorities.
Support the development, implementation and communication of techUK's autonomous systems activities in a way that meets the needs of existing and potential new members.
Work across techUK's defence, national security and justice & emergency services programmes to identify, develop and exploit opportunities to deploy autonomous systems and drones, joining up members and stakeholders across these markets.
Lead the development, implementation and management of projects, white papers, workshops and events that aim to resolve shared challenges between the technology industry and its public sector customers on the adoption and deployment of autonomous systems.
Lead the set-up and execution of programme events, briefings and meetings, and support the activities of relevant Groups, Forums and working groups spanning the autonomous systems agenda.
Engage with key regulators and enablers including the Military and Civil Aviation Authorities and relevant government bodies, to understand and help shape the frameworks that govern the deployment of drones and autonomous systems.
Promote techUK's autonomous systems work through insights, opinions, social media and marketing activities.
Liaise with other techUK programme teams to identify and exploit cross-fertilisation opportunities with programmes, ensuring alignment between the defence, national security and justice & emergency services programmes and the wider organisation.
Support the work of various relevant member councils, maintaining liaison with participating members.
Any other duties that might from time to time be required as part of the role.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A self-motivated individual with a positive can-do approach who is comfortable working across multiple programmes, managing competing demands and responding to tight deadlines.
Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical and policy information effectively to a range of audiences.
Comfortable with public speaking.
Ability to identify, propose and negotiate new opportunities and services across techUK's relevant market programmes.
Ability to use the tools and technologies techUK provides including AI technologies (LLMs).
Strong interest in autonomous systems and drones, and their application across the public sector.
Strong interest in innovation and the UK tech industry.
A team player who has experience of managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and is comfortable working with senior individuals in industry and government.
Experience of delivering events for a broad range of different stakeholders.
Understanding of the regulatory environment for drones and autonomous systems, including the roles of the Military and Civil Aviation Authorities and concepts such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and integrated airspace.
Understanding of the workings and structure of one or more of techUK's relevant markets - defence and the Ministry of Defence, the UK's national security landscape, or justice and emergency services - including knowledge of current key policies and strategies.
An understanding of the economic, social and political environment, members' business sectors and business models, stakeholders and their drivers.

Benefits

Comp & perks

This is a full-time role based out of techUK's London offices, however techUK operates a flexible working policy.
The successful candidate must be able to obtain security clearance.
This role profile is a guide to the work that is required but does not form part of any contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances.
The successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK prior to the commencement of employment.
Comprehensive benefits.