Managing Director - Future Telecoms

As a key member of the NPL Executive Team, reporting to the CEO, the Managing Director for the Future Telecoms Business Unit will play a pivotal role in shaping, leading, and accelerating NPL's contribution to one of the UK's most strategically significant technology domains. This role provides devolved leadership of the Business Unit, with clear accountability for performance, growth, customer relationships, and scientific and commercial impact.

The Managing Director will define and deliver a market shaping vision that positions NPL at the forefront of future communications, digital infrastructure and enabling technologies. The role anticipates market shifts, champions innovation, and connects Business Unit performance with enterprise wide priorities to maximise national and organisational value.

As an enterprise level leader, the MD will work collaboratively across the Executive and with partners, customers, regulators and key stakeholders to strengthen NPL's influence, build strategic relationships and unlock new opportunities across telecoms and adjacent sectors. This role is central to ensuring NPL remains relevant, connected, and impactful in its sector.

Key Accountabilities Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute customer centric strategies that drive scientific innovation, market relevance and sustainable growth.
• Align Business Unit priorities with NPL's mission, values and enterprise capabilities.

Customer Growth & Delivery

• Full ownership of new business acquisition and delivery against commercial targets.
• Shape and influence major bids and opportunities.
• Act as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for significant customer programmes.
• Accountable for Business Unit budget setting and financial performance.
• Own end to end delivery across science, delivery and customer engagement.
• Leverage market and customer insight to inform growth, capability development and impact.

Customer Relationships & Retention

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior customers, partners and regulators.
• Ensure customer activity anticipates future needs and aligns with strategic priorities.
• Represent the customer agenda with clarity and insight at Executive and Board level.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop strong, collegiate relationships across NPL and its external ecosystem.
• Ensure the Business Unit is fully aligned with the wider organisational vision.
• Partner with central customer functions to unlock enterprise and cross Business Unit growth.

Leadership & Culture

• Foster a culture of collaboration, empowerment and customer focus.
• Develop senior leaders and role model inclusive, values led leadership.
• Create accountability for safety, security and wellbeing across the Business Unit.

Governance & Assurance

• Set and assure KPIs in partnership with enabling functions.
• Maintain proportionate governance and ensure compliance with regulatory, ethical and security requirements.

You will be an established executive leader with a strong track record of growth, influence and delivery within complex, technology led environments.

You will bring: Senior leadership experience in telecoms, digital infrastructure or adjacent technology sectors. Experience operating in science, physics or engineering led environments. Strong B2B, customer centric leadership credibility at executive and board level. A track record of leading large scale, complex programmes. Experience navigating diverse stakeholder landscapes and secure environments. Capability leading blended employee and contractor workforces. Resilience, curiosity and adaptability in fast evolving markets. Personal Attributes Enterprise minded, collaborative and externally focused. Naturally curious with strong instinct for emerging opportunities and market shifts. Skilled at influencing without hierarchy, building trust and alignment. High emotional intelligence with the ability to adapt across technical, customer, board and partner audiences. An inspirational "leader of leaders" who empowers, develops and energises teams. Values led, inclusive and people centred in leadership approach.

Security & Eligibility

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. You will need to have a DV clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain a DV clearance. Location: Multi Site (West Midlands-based) This is a multi site leadership role with a primary base in the West Midlands, alongside regular presence in Teddington and significant time spent at customer locations.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.