UK Ministry of Defence
SDA ILS Manager
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MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH
Job Summary
The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
The primary delivery location for this position is Bristol Abbey Wood.
Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.
Job Description
The Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) Manager is responsible for leading, planning, and managing key aspects of the DEFSTAN 00 600 scope for the Dreadnought-class submarine programme.
You will collaborate closely with the Spares/Logistics Lead and the Technical Information Lead. Although not directly responsible for these disciplines, the role requires ensuring alignment, integration, and coherence across all logistic support elements as mandated by DEFSTAN 00 600.
The post holder will be accountable for contracting, overseeing, and assuring the delivery of ILS products and support solutions from Industry across all systems and equipment fitted to the submarine. Working at the heart of a strategically critical national defence programme, the ILS Manager ensures that Industry delivers a coherent, integrated, and effective support solution capable of achieving the required platform availability and enabling Continuous At Sea Deterrence (CASD).
Key Responsibilities
LS Programme Management
- Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of all DEFSTAN 00 600 ILS activities for the Dreadnought programme.
- Develop, manage, and maintain the ILS programme plan, deliverables, and assurance activities.
- Ensure all Industry partners deliver ILS artefacts to the required standard, quality, and schedule.
- Interpret and apply DEFSTAN 00 600 requirements, ensuring they are contracted, understood, and implemented effectively across all systems and equipment suppliers.
Contracting & Supplier Management
- Develop ILS statements of work, contract requirements, and acceptance criteria aligned to DEFSTAN 00 600.
- Engage with Industry to negotiate, place, and manage the ILS elements of equipment and system contracts.
- Monitor contractor performance, ensuring timely and compliant delivery of supportability documentation and analysis.
- Chair and/or participate in ILS review meetings, design reviews, and support working groups.
Assuring a Coherent Support Solution
- Ensure that all logistic support elements (e.g., maintenance planning, supportability analysis, LORA, support equipment etc) are delivered in an integrated and coherent manner. Work with Spares and Tech Info leads to ensure the combined work-scopes align to deliver a coherent support solution for Dreadnought
- Validate that the combined support solution will deliver the required submarine availability targets and underpin CASD.
- Provide leadership to Engineering, Safety, Training, Digital and Data, Supply Chain, and Support Delivery teams to deliver end-to-end supportability.
- Conduct ILS risk identification, tracking, and mitigation to safeguard programme outcomes.
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Cross-Functional Integration
- Collaborate closely with the Spares/Logistics Lead to ensure that provisioning, inventory planning, and support chain readiness align with supportability analysis and maintenance concepts.
- Coordinate with the Tech Info Lead to ensure publications, S1000D data, and technical documentation are coherent with the wider support solution.
- Ensure alignment across all ILS disciplines and verify that all outputs integrate into a complete, compliant support package.
Assurance, Governance & Reporting
- Provide assurance that all ILS deliverables meet the mandated DEFSTAN 00 600 requirements and lead corrective actions.
- Prepare and deliver reports, dashboards, and updates to senior leadership and stakeholders.
- Support programme governance boards, user working groups, and MoD assurance activities.
- Maintain clear audit trails, compliance evidence, and configuration control.
- Maintain the Support Solution Delivery Tool (SSDT) and engage with Defence Support to ensure acceptable 3LoD support assurance
Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.
As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.
Person specification
To be successful with your application you must demonstrate that you meet the following Essential Criteria:
- Level 6 qualification, or equivalent knowledge, skills or experience.
- Proven experience delivering ILS or supportability programmes in accordance with DEFSTAN 00-600/601, ASD 1000-5000 and Through Life Support.(or equivalent standards).
- Understanding of Support Analysis in accordance with ASD S Series S3000L.
- Understanding of Maintenance Planning in accordance with ASD Series S4000P.
- Experience in Support Contracting arrangements, Milestone management, Cost, Performance and Industrial Partner management to achieve Programme Outcomes.
- Strong understanding of submarine or complex defence systems support solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead supplier-facing programmes and manage contract deliverables.
- Experience integrating multiple ILS disciplines into a cohesive support solution.
- Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Ability to interpret technical information and influence engineering and logistic decision-making.
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Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience within the UK Submarine Enterprise (Dreadnought, Astute, Vanguard, or support programmes).
- Knowledge of submarine engineering systems and through life support principles.
- Awareness of S1000D, provisioning, obsolescence management, and maintenance planning methods.
- Understanding of CASD operational realities and platform availability drivers.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Changing and Improving
- Leadership
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Develop and Implement a Support Solution - Expert
- Continuous Improvement to Optimise Support - Expert
- Review, Validate and Assure Support Solutions - Expert
Alongside your salary of £62,600, Ministry of Defence contributes £18,135 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
At the Sift Stage, Applications will be assessed against the following.
Experience:
- Candidates will be required to provide job history and qualification details.
Personal Statement - This should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable requirements for the role.
Behaviours:
- Managing a Quality Service - CSBC4
- Communicating and Influencing - CSBC4
- Delivering and Improving - CSBC4
Technical Competencies:
- Develop and Implement a Support Solution - Expert
- Continuous Improvement to Optimise Support - Expert
- Review, Validate and Assure Support Solutions - Expert
At the Interview Stage, Candidates will be assessed against
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