Head of Projects
National Police Air Service (NPAS)
Grade: POD
Salary: £53,451 – £57,186
Location: Home-based with national travel
Hours: Full-time, permanent (37 hours)
CLOSING DATE 10th May 2026
It’s an exciting time to join the National Police Air Service. NPAS is entering a period of significant transformation, with one of the most ambitious change portfolios in its history now taking shape.
Central to this is our Fleet Replacement Programme, which will define the future of police aviation for years to come. Alongside this, NPAS is modernising how it operates and delivers capability - exploring how uncrewed operations can complement crewed aircraft within a future blended fleet, strengthening national coverage and resilience.
At the same time, NPAS is delivering major national programmes including the Emergency Services Network, transition to the National Police Service, long‑term obsolescence management, and critical procurement and contract renewals that underpin operational availability and regulatory compliance.
For the right individual, this role offers a rare opportunity to lead complex, high‑profile programmes that genuinely shape national policing capability, working at the intersection of aviation, technology, public service and change leadership.
The role:
As Head of Projects, you will lead the NPAS Projects Team and play a pivotal role in delivering major change across the National Police Air Service.
You will be responsible for the successful and timely delivery of a wide-ranging portfolio of programmes, projects and change initiatives that support how NPAS operates now and evolves in the future. This is a key role, working closely with the NPAS Senior Leadership Team, government departments, policing partners and commercial suppliers.
NPAS’ major change projects are large-scale, complex programmes designed to deliver significant, long term change in how the service is run, equipped and provided to policing. These programmes collectively underpin the future sustainability, capability and effectiveness of NPAS and include:
• Fleet Replacement, delivering the next generation of crewed aircraft and associated capabilities
• Emergency Services Network (ESN), ensuring secure and resilient national communications
• Uncrewed aircraft programmes, exploring how uncrewed systems can safely and effectively integrate alongside crewed aviation as part of a future blended fleet
• Obsolescence management and procurement contract renewals, including Maintenance and Repair Organisation (MRO) contracts, to protect operational availability and regulatory compliance
• Transition to the National Police Service, following the publication of the policing reform white paper, NPAS is now in the planning stages.
These programmes are critical to modernising NPAS, maintaining high levels of operational readiness and ensuring the service remains financially sustainable and fit for the future.
What you’ll be doing
• Leading and directing the NPAS Projects Team in the delivery of national, regional and local projects
• Overseeing the full project lifecycle, from development of robust, evidence-based business cases through to implementation and benefits realisation
• Providing strategic leadership on complex aviation, fleet, infrastructure and capability projects, including aircraft modification and replacement activity
• Ensuring strong governance, risk management, financial control and progress reporting across the programme portfolio
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders, partners and suppliers
• Supporting Senior Responsible Owners and Project Executives responsible for transformational change
• Helping to shape the future direction of NPAS through the delivery of significant strategic change
This role requires regular travel across England and Wales.
What you’ll need
• Significant experience of leading and delivering complex change programmes and projects, including management of risk, benefits, finances and major resources over medium- and long-term timescales
• Experience of operating at a senior level within a complex, fast-moving organisation, with excellent stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, coach and develop high-performing teams
• A recognised project management qualification (PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• Experience of other project or programme management methodologies is advantageous
The benefits
• Starting salary of £53,451, rising to £57,186
• 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years, plus bank holidays
• Flexi-time scheme based on a 37-hour working week
• Generous pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme, available 24/7
• Lease car scheme via Fleet Solutions
• Cycle to work scheme
Pay: £53,451 - £57,186 per annum
Location: National Police Air Service
Deadline: 10th May 2026
Categories: Project Management, North East