Business Excellence & Improvement Lead

Civil Works Alliance; Nacton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Civil Works Alliance (CWA) invites an experienced Business Excellence & Improvement Lead to shape Sizewell C’s delivery. You will lead the development of the operating model, drive governance, and coordinate cross-functional improvements to ensure the Alliance operates as a high-performing entity.

You will partner with senior leaders, oversee assurance and performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, learning and innovation across the CWA Wide Section.

Qualifications

• Significant experience building and sustaining organisational effectiveness and operating models within complex organisations.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in business operations and performance.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement and change initiatives.
• Strong governance, assurance and compliance knowledge with integrated management systems.
• Excellent stakeholder management and senior leadership collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of the CWA operating model and ways of working.
• Drive organisational effectiveness, accountability and performance across the Alliance.
• Oversee governance, assurance and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Lead knowledge management, innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and execute the Alliance maturity programme and culture initiatives.
• Engage senior stakeholders and partner organisations to secure alignment.
• Represent the function in senior forums and drive cross-functional delivery.

Skills

Organisational excellence

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Data-driven decision making

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Professional qualification in business improvement

Tools

Microsoft 365

PM software

Job description

Help Shape the UK’s Energy Future

Business Excellence & Improvement Lead Opportunity with the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), Supporting Sizewell C

As part of the CWA (Civil Works Alliance), you will support the building of Sizewell C. Sizewell C will be a 3.2-gigawatt power station generating low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes and will play a key role in our energy future, supplying reliable, clean electricity for at least 60 years.This role will be within theCWA Wide Section.

Help Shape the UK’s Energy Future

Business Excellence & Improvement Lead Opportunity with the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), Supporting Sizewell C

As part of the CWA (Civil Works Alliance), you will support the building of Sizewell C. Sizewell C will be a 3.2-gigawatt power station generating low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes and will play a key role in our energy future, supplying reliable, clean electricity for at least 60 years.This role will be within theCWA Wide Section.

What will you do?

The Business Excellence & Improvement Lead will lead the development, integration and continuous improvement of the Civil Works Alliance operating model, ensuring the Alliance operates as a coordinated, effective and high-performing organisation.

The Business Excellence & Improvement Lead is responsible for strengthening organisational effectiveness across the Alliance by driving business excellence, process accountability, implementation and adoption, compliance and assurance, continuous improvement, knowledge and innovation, and Alliance maturity and culture.

Reporting to the Business Operations and Alliance Effectiveness Director and working closely with the Delivery Leadership Team (DLT) and functional leader. The role ensures strategic priorities are translated into coordinated action, effective governance, sustainable improvements and measurable outcomes. By connecting people, processes, information and decision‑making, the role removes barriers, improves organisational performance and supports a consistent best‑for‑project approach across the CWA.

Key Responsibilities

1. Alliance Effectiveness & Performance

• Lead development of the CWA operating model and ways of working.
• Align strategic priorities, organisational interfaces and delivery outcomes.
• Drive organisational effectiveness, capability and performance.

2. Business Excellence & Process Management

• Lead Business Excellence and Process & Accountability functions.
• Maintain effective management systems, processes and standards.
• Ensure clear accountability, ownership and decision-making.

3. Change & Transformation

• Lead implementation of organisational improvements and strategic initiatives.
• Support leaders through change and drive stakeholder adoption.
• Track delivery, benefits realisation and sustained outcomes.

4. Governance & Assurance

• Oversee assurance, compliance and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Alliance Integrated Management System.
• Translate assurance findings into improvement actions.

5. Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Promote innovation, learning and continuous improvement.
• Capture and apply lessons learned and best practice.
• Lead knowledge management and performance improvement initiatives.

6. Culture & Capability

• Lead the Alliance Maturity programme and culture initiatives.
• Promote Alliance values, collaboration and high-performance behaviours.
• Strengthen organisational capability through learning and development.

7. Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships across the Alliance and partner organisations.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Represent Business Operations & Alliance Effectiveness at senior forums.

What are we looking for?

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of organisational effectiveness, business excellence, operating models and continuous improvement within complex organisations.

• Knowledge of governance, assurance, compliance and Integrated Management System principles.

• Strong appreciation of organisational change, implementation and adoption approaches.

• Understanding of knowledge management, innovation, business process improvement and performance management practices.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision‑making capability, using data and insight to drive improvement.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex issues and align diverse stakeholder groups.

• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster collaboration within a matrix or Alliance environment.

• Strong planning, prioritisation and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.

• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications and digital collaboration tools.

Essential

• Significant experience leading organisational effectiveness, business excellence, transformation, operating model and continuous improvement functions within complex organisations.

• Demonstrable track record of delivering measurable improvements in organisational performance and business operations.

• Strong understanding of governance, operating models, management systems and organisational effectiveness.

• Experience leading cross-functional improvement and change initiatives.

• Knowledge of assurance, compliance and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience working with senior leadership teams and influencing strategic decision-making.

• Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation and relationship-building skills.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability.

• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable

• Experience working within major infrastructure, construction, engineering or regulated environments.

• Knowledge of Alliance or integrated delivery models.

• Understanding of ISO management systems and assurance frameworks.

• Experience of knowledge management, organisational maturity frameworks and innovation programmes.

• Professional qualification in business improvement, organisational development, programme management or related discipline.

What we will offer you?

The CWA is a single delivery organisation made of up of the client (Sizewell C) and three parent companies - Balfour Beatty, Bouygues and Laing O'Rourke - which offer industry leading packages including market leading salaries, generous annual leave entitlements, pension scheme and other flexible benefits.

About Us

The CWA celebrates the creativity and innovation that comes from a diverse workforce, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds — especially those from under‑represented communities. Our project is built on five core values: Humility, Positivity, Respect, Solidarity, and Clarity.

By joining us, you’ll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work, speak up, and share your ideas. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We are committed to protecting your privacy. If you decide to apply, please avoid including sensitive personal data in your CV.