Head of People & Culture – Shared Services

Overview of Responsibilities

The salary for this role is £79,638. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. 

This role is to be based at the following site; Culham, Oxfordshire.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

The Role

The Head of People & Culture – Shared Services is a key member of the People & Culture Strategic Leadership Team. You will lead and manage multiple HR service areas, ensuring best practice, compliance, and operational efficiency. Your leadership will be integral to ensuring smooth HR service delivery, data-driven decision-making, and continuous process improvement across the organisation.

You’ll also lead efforts to modernise HR systems, streamline processes, and create an agile, data-driven HR function that supports a rapidly evolving organisation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Oversee and ensure effective delivery of HR operations, payroll, talent attraction, workforce planning, and HR technology.
  • Lead strategic transformation to enhance recruitment, retention, talent management, and succession planning.
  • Drive the modernisation of HR systems, embedding automation and digital solutions.
  • Ensure compliance with employment law, governance, and regulatory frameworks.
  • Develop and execute a workforce planning strategy, aligning talent needs with long-term organisational goals.
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government bodies, academic institutions, and industry partners.
  • Manage HR budgets, KPIs, and risk management strategies.
  • Lead and mentor senior HR leaders, fostering a high-performance culture.
Salary
£79,638 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Programme
CENTRALISED
Department
People & Culture
Discipline
Type of Employment
Full-time
Reference Number
REF3293F

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/.  

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi British, and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and neurotypical individuals. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. 

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application. 

Benefits 

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

  • Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
  • Corporate bonus scheme up to 7and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
  • Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
  • Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, 
  • Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
  • Wide range of career development opportunities
  • A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive
A group of staff having lunch outside at the Culham restaurant

current opportunities

Browse some of our current job vacancies below.

What can I expect from the application process at UKAEA?

Once you have submitted a formal application via our website, all CVs will be reviewed shortly after the closing date of the advert.

  • Submit online application

  • Phone interview

  • Face-to-face or virtual interview

  • Other assessments

Company Description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.

As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values that capture the spirit of how we work. These values include being: Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative.

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