Configuration Project Manager (Widebody)

Widebody Configuration Project Manager (Wing)

Location: Filton (hybrid - approx. 60% onsite) Contract: Contract (Inside IR35) Hours: 35 hours per week | Flexible working between 7am-7pm Rate: £29.89 per hour PAYE / £40.00 per hour Umbrella

About the role

Guidant Global is proud to be partnering with Airbus to recruit a Widebody Configuration Management Programme Manager to support the A350 and A330/340 programmes, including exciting derivatives such as BelugaXL and MRTT/MRTT+. This is a pivotal role within the UK Widebody Configuration Management (CM) team, where you will take ownership of Wing-related engineering changes-from initial request through to full aircraft embodiment and modification closure. You'll act as the Project Change Leader (PCL), bringing together multi-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and programme functions to deliver complex change safely, on time and within cost.

What you'll be doing

As the Programme Manager, you will lead and manage a portfolio of configuration changes across the Wing perimeter, ensuring successful delivery throughout the full change lifecycle. Key responsibilities include:

Acting as Project Change Leader (PCL) for Wing-related changes across production and/or in-service aircraft

Leading and coordinating multi-functional teams (Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Configuration and wider stakeholders)

Driving change requests through the Full Change Process, developing robust change dossiers covering:

Technical and manufacturing impacts

Supply chain implications

Cost, budget coverage and scheduling

Point of embodiment

Risks and opportunities

Leading cross-functional alignment, negotiation and arbitration to resolve issues and maintain momentum

Ensuring approved changes are implemented in line with Decision Board mandates, meeting cost, quality and schedule commitments

Managing a portfolio of changes up to medium complexity (e.g. multi-ATA, multi-supplier/site, budgets exceeding 300k)

Proactively managing workload, priorities and inflow in collaboration with key stakeholders

Identifying, managing and reporting risks and opportunities via ARM (Aircraft Risk Management)

Representing Central Programmes on the Alternative Material Concession Crisis (AMCC) Board, supporting obsolescence and material shortage management

Contributing to process improvement initiatives alongside the Central Programme team and CM Centre of Excellence

Supporting team collaboration, knowledge sharing, lessons learned and continuous improvement

About the team

You'll join a highly experienced UK Widebody Configuration Management team, supporting the Wing, Landing Gear and Fuel perimeters. The immediate team consists of 7 FTE, backed by subcontracted support, and forms part of a wider UK CM community of 19 FTE. The team also manages airline customisation modifications, including weight variants, wheels and brakes, and fuel system configurations.

What we're looking for

We're keen to hear from candidates with strong configuration, change or programme management experience within aerospace or complex engineering environments. Essential experience and skills include:

Proven experience in Configuration Management and Engineering Change environments

Strong project and programme management capability (PM certification such as PMI is desirable)

Knowledge of the end-to-end configuration and change management process (CM certification advantageous)

Background in airframe engineering or equivalent complex product environments

Confident stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across multiple business areas

Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills

A proactive, collaborative approach with a strong team ethic

Fluent English (written and verbal)

Experience is valued over formal qualifications, although an engineering degree or equivalent background is beneficial.

Security & working pattern

Security clearance: BPSS+ (completed by Airbus Security)

Working pattern: 35 hours per week, flexible across 4.5 days

Travel: Occasional

Why join via Guidant Global? At Guidant Global, we believe in connecting great people to meaningful work. You'll benefit from:

Access to industry-leading aerospace programmes

Transparent pay, flexible working arrangements and a collaborative delivery model

Dedicated support from a specialist recruitment partner who understands your skills and career goals

Opportunities to develop your expertise in complex change, configuration leadership and programme delivery