Senior Programme Manager – Auxiliary Systems Decommissioning

Overview of Responsibilities

About us  

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.  

About the job 

You’ll lead the safe decommissioning of JET’s auxiliary buildings, systems and balance-of-site structures, with an annual programme budget of more than £20 million. This strategically important programme combines complex engineering, innovative materials handling and multiple concurrent worksites. You’ll set the direction, priorities and investment decisions needed to deliver the programme safely, efficiently and in line with BAT and ALARP principles.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the preparation, execution and closeout of the Auxiliary Systems and Balance of Site Structures decommissioning programmes.
• Define and oversee feasibility studies, research and the development of decommissioning methods and technologies.
• Manage the lifecycle and readiness of decommissioning systems, authorising upgrades and refurbishment where required.
• Coordinate multiple projects, workstreams and matrix teams within a highly complex operating environment.
• Establish programme baselines, milestones and KPIs, maintaining rigorous governance and change control.
• Manage programme budgets, resources and priorities to achieve agreed outcomes.
• Oversee programme risks, opportunities and emerging issues, taking timely action or escalating where necessary.
• Lead formal reviews and report progress to internal and external stakeholders.
• Hold workstream leads accountable for delivery against time, cost, quality and safety requirements.
• Enter radiological and beryllium-controlled areas when required and undertake occasional UK and international travel.

What You’ll Bring

• A technical or engineering degree, an equivalent qualification or relevant professional expertise.
• A proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex engineering programmes within agreed time, cost and quality requirements.
• Previous responsibility for highly complex technical decommissioning projects, including the management of project and technical risks.
• Significant budget-management responsibility within a major programme or project environment.
• Knowledge of modern safety, health, environmental and quality-assurance standards, including relevant UK compliance requirements.
• Practical involvement in delivering on-site works under the Construction Design and Management Regulations.

UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs. We actively support flexible working arrangements where this is compatible with the role.

Benefits 

We have a generous range of benefits (see the full list here) and highlights include:   

• A salary of £81090 inclusive of a £7900 specialist allowance
• Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
• Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution  
• 25 days annual leave plus 2.5 ‘privilege’ days; 8 Bank Holidays
• Additional 3 days of site closure over Christmas break  
• Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions  

Our commitment to ED&I 

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. 

Please email talent@ukaea.uk if you have any questions or require adjustments to help you participate fairly in our recruitment process, for example changes to the way we interview or share information. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates. 

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All appointments are made on merit and further information can be found here.