UK Real Estate Head of Capital Projects

Location: Reading, United Kingdom

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

UK Real Estate – Head of Capital Projects

Location: Crawley or Green Park (Reading) with regular site travel across our UK sites

At Thales, we create solutions that protect, connect and advance the world around us. To support our long‑term growth and the evolution of our UK estate, we’re looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Capital Projects to lead the delivery of major investment programmes across our UK sites.

The Opportunity

In this senior leadership role, you’ll shape and deliver the full portfolio of UK Real Estate capital projects — from strategic planning through to execution — ensuring our sites, infrastructure and capabilities are ready to meet the needs of our customers and our future business. You’ll lead a high‑performing team, strengthen governance and standards, and drive continuous improvement across our project delivery model.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the strategic management and delivery of UK‑wide capital projects, including business‑funded and customer‑funded programmes.

• Managing and developing a team of Project Managers and PMO specialists, fostering a strong, unified delivery culture.

• Embedding robust governance, standardised processes and clear communication across all project activities.

• Overseeing project budgets, financial reporting and compliance with Thales governance, procurement and Chorus II processes.

• Supporting long‑term investment planning, including the 10‑year Real Estate Master Plan and MYB capital programmes.

• Ensuring all projects meet statutory, H&S and environmental requirements, including CDM regulations.

What We’re Looking For

• A strategic leader with significant experience delivering complex capital projects in real estate, construction or related sectors.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels and build trusted partnerships.

• Proven experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.

• Expertise in governance, process improvement and risk management.

• Financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing multi‑million‑pound budgets.

• Professional qualifications (RICS, CIOB, PRINCE2 Executive, MBA or similar) are advantageous.

Your future with Thales

This is a high‑impact leadership role at the heart of our UK Real Estate strategy. You’ll influence major investment decisions, shape the future of our sites, and play a key part in enabling Thales’ long‑term growth. The role offers clear progression pathways, including development toward senior project leadership and potential future succession for the UK Real Estate Director role.

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions.  This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. 

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!