2027 Service Delivery Manager Apprentice - Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

2027 Service Delivery Manager Apprentice - Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship

Start Date: 6 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Location: Templecombe

Working Schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday – Thursday, 5 hours Friday)

Are you passionate about project management and support engineering services? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through academic study, whilst providing valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry-leading organisation? If so, read on to see what Thales has on offer…

Benefits of the programme:

• Earn while you learn with a competitive salary
• Gain hands-on, job-specific training and real-world experience
• Achieve a recognised professional qualification
• Secure a permanent role from day one

• Have your tuition fees fully paid

• Build valuable experience and develop your career
• Work in a high-profile role where you can make a real impact from the start
• Learn from experienced professionals and develop skills that will support your long-term career growth

About the Role

Services teams all around Thales UK are responsible for the deployment and delivery of services to our customers.  The Services job family has people working in many different roles pursuing outstanding outcomes for our customers, from Service Delivery Managers, Product Support Engineers, and Spares & Repairs coordinators, who are all collectively focused on outstanding Service Delivery.

Service Delivery Managers (SDM) are responsible for the co-coordination and the delivery of Services and Programmes for Thales internal and external customers.  This service delivery ranges from spares and repairs to the provision/availability of a capability.

The SDM plays a vital role in creating and maintaining customer relationships.  The SDM acts as the link between the customer and the UK Services operational delivery teams.  It is the mission of the SDM to always strive to exceed expectations and delight our customers.

Customer relationship management is key to service success to ensure we pre-empt customer needs and offer solutions that add value.

What You Will Learn

As a Service Delivery Manager Apprentice, you will develop key skills and experience in the following:

• Integrated Logistic/Product Support Engineering Management
• Customer Relationship Management
• Operational Strategy
• Project Management & Business Finance
• Digital Operations
• Leadership
• Communication & Collaboration
• Problem-Solving & Decision Making
• Commercial Awareness

 Apprenticeship Programme  

You will study towards the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship with the Apprentice Academy.

The programme is delivered through a virtual learning model, combining:

• Live virtual lectures
• 1-2-1 coaching calls
• Online learning resources
• Self-directed learning activities

Throughout the programme, you will combine study with practical workplace experience, developing both academic knowledge and professional skills.

Entry Requirements

To apply, you will need:

A Levels

• 2 A Levels grade C or above in any subject or equivalent Level 3 qualification such as BTEC Diploma (MM), T Level (Merit) or Level 3 apprenticeship

GCSEs

• 5 GCSEs grade 4-9 (A-C) including English and Maths

Please note that applicants who already hold a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)

Thales Apprentice Recruitment Process

1.      Apply Online - submit your application online to register your interest.  You only need to register for one role as you will have the opportunity to apply for additional roles at the full application stage.

2.      Upload Your CV

3.      Check your emails for the invitation to apply – this will come from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com

4.      Complete Your Application – follow the link provided in the email to complete your application.  You can apply for one primary role and up to 3 additional roles

5.      Complete Online Tests - undertake the online assessments designed to evaluate your suitability for the role

6.      Virtual Assessment Centre - candidates who progress from the online assessment stage will attend a virtual assessment centre, which will include group exercises, and competency-based interviews

7.      Job Offer – successful candidates who perform well throughout the recruitment process will receive a job offer from Thales

For further information about our Future Talent recruitment process, including hints and tips, or to connect with a member of the Future Talent Team, a Graduate, or an Apprentice, please visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027.  Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027.

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS.  WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.

To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.

To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history. 

In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government-mandated nationality restrictions. To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - 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.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
 

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!