Project Manager

Overview of Responsibilities

UKAEA is expanding its team of Project Managers significantly to drive successful delivery of several exciting world leading, novel projects.

You would be a part of the Programme and Project Management Office (PPMO) which provides a cadre of professional programme and project managers leading the majority of projects for the organisation, as well as project controls professional and process governance.

Projects in UKAEA vary in risk and complexity and range in value from under £50k to £0.5bn and span a number of sectors including science, innovation, engineering, regulatory, technology, and facilities Projects.

The PPMO uses hybrid working and requires staff to be on site a minimum of two days a week, or as required by their project / programme.  

We have vacancies to support the following Departments Projects:

Spherical Tokomak for Energy Production (STEP):

STEP is a UKAEA programme that will demonstrate the ability to generate net electricity from fusion. It will also determine how the plant will be maintained through its operational life and prove the potential for the plant to produce its own fuel.  

STEP is currently in Tranche 1, working towards a concept design for a commercial fusion powerplant to be finalised by March 2024.

This is fast paced programme gaining huge media coverage that continues to achieve ground-breaking engineering and scientific breakthroughs as we work towards this world leading and novel power plant. 

RACE – Robotic Applications in Challenging Environments:

RACE develops and produces world-class, first-of-a-kind remote handling and robotic solutions in response to a broad array of technical challenges faced by UKAEA. This fosters a uniquely interesting, challenging and rewarding environment for project management.

The projects are focused on developing Robotic and Artificial Intelligence systems for nuclear decommissioning, supporting the UK effort to apply innovative technologies to all challenging and harsh environments for the protection of people and advancement of the industry.

MAST U:

The device is based on the original MAST (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) machine, which ran from 2000 to 2013. It has been rebuilt to enable higher performance – longer pulses, increased heating power and a stronger magnetic field – and an innovative new plasma exhaust system.

MAST Upgrade is exploring the route to compact fusion power plants, testing reactor technology and addressing physics issues for the international ITER fusion project. It keeps the UK at the forefront of global research into fusion energy.

Joint European Torus (JET) Decomissioning:

UKAEA are a world leader in fusion technology and are about to undertake an ambitious programme to undertake first-of-a-kind decommissioning studies of a tritiated fusion reactor. This programme is set to run for 12 years at a cost of circa £450M.

You will propose, define, manage and deliver Decommissioning projects working closely with the Lead Engineer and reporting into the Decommissioning Programme Manager.

The Programme and Project Management Office is working with an ambitions JET and Repurposing Programme, which is a once in a generation opportunity to decommission and repurpose a tritiated fusion reactor.”

Due to the nature of the project, those working on this programme will be expected to be on site 4 days and will be able to work from home on Fridays.

As a Project Manager at UKAEA you will be responsible for executing projects to a high standard according to established project and technical management processes, leading to delivered solutions of an engineering integrity commensurate with nuclear operations.

As an experienced project manager, you will lead all aspects of project delivery including, developing detailed project plans, co-ordinating delivery teams, ensuring resource availability, managing risks and issues, reporting project performance status, engaging diverse stakeholder groups. You will be delegated day to day responsibility by the project sponsor for ensuring teams deliver within the time cost and scope requirements of the project.  

You will also need to take into account the portfolio of initiatives that span UKAEA considering how parts of the business impact one another, to ensure alignment with strategic business objectives.

You will be a strong communicator, pro-active, delivery focussed and enjoy being part of a dynamic team including scientists and engineers, working on projects at concept stage, with significant ambiguity. 

You will be responsible for:

• Creating and leading the project to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost and quality constraints.
• Providing guidance and structure working toward presenting a strategy encompassing budget and talent recourses.
• Maintaining the day to day management and leadership of the project and the project team.
• Providing effective leadership and management controls in accordance with UKAEA corporate standards.
• Designing the project structure and organisation appropriate to the stage of the project throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Using industry standard and appropriate delivery methodologies in accordance with UKAEA standards and the stage of the project.
• Developing the budget and track delivery within budget.
• Managing effective transition between project phases and transition to business as usual at the end of the project.
• Delivering the agreed business case benefits and outcomes & ensure appropriate benefits realisation strategy is in place and monitor longer term delivery of benefits against the business case.

Please note that this role is advertised over two levels and the Level 5 offers a salary of £49,396 – £52,293 (inclusive of MPP) and the Level 6 offers a salary of £60,317 – £63,855 (inclusive of MPP). Your level will be assessed as part of the interview process, to ascertain the complexity of the projects you have managed.