Chief Operating Officer - Chief Strategic Systems Executive

UK Ministry of Defence; Bristol; On-site; GBP 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Ministry of Defence is seeking a Chief Operating Officer for the Submarine Delivery Agency, responsible for strategic leadership and operational efficiency in managing the UK's nuclear submarines. The role encompasses budgeting responsibilities, stakeholder engagement, and programme oversight in a diverse team environment, promoting continuous improvement and effective governance.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with 28.97% employer contribution

Learning and development tailored to your role

Flexible working options

Culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplined teams in complex environments.
• Proven capability in finance, risk, commercial management, and governance.
• Understanding of the Polaris Sales Agreement and Trident/Deterrent Programme.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage delivery of core business operations.
• Develop operational plans and performance metrics.
• Control budgets within the Equipment Plan and Operating Expenditure.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Performance management

Programme leadership

Collaboration

Education

Recognised qualification in Programme/Project Management

Job description

MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH

Job Summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put out values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is to ensure leadership and effective delivery of core business operations, implementing improvements to business systems and supporting operational delivery across the Directorate. To achieve this, the COO will drive and maintain the overall programme, performance, risk and financial position of the Directorate ensuring effective business delivery.

You will be the delegated budget holder for Equipment Plan (£250M annual) and Operating Expenditure (£20M annual) with responsibility for constructing taut and realistic budgets and exercising in-year financial control within agreed control totals.

• Develop and implement operational plans to drive and measure delivery and internal operational performance, holding Delivery Teams to account for individual and collective delivery performance on behalf of Chief Strategic Systems Executive
  
  

(CSSE).

• Provide cross-Directorate leadership building effective communications to drive forward engagement and retention. Deputising for the Director on day-to-day performance, leadership and delivery matters.
• Lead the central programming, planning and budgeting of the Trident Weapon System with US Government Officials, including compilation and agreement of the Joint Programme of Record as authorised by the Polaris Sales Agreement and Co-Chair
  
  

(with US Director level official) the US/UK Joint Program Finance Working Group.

• Lead scrutiny and assurance of Equipment Plan and Operating Expenditure costings ahead of Director level screening. Control in-year expenditure to maximise delivery whilst remaining within Corporate spending limits, including setting of spend priorities
  
  

across the Directorate to optimise the Strategic Weapon System Programme.

• Drive continuous improvement, embedding business change and Project Controls disciplines, supporting the development of a high performing team by promoting a learning culture, including working across the SDA P3M and SDA Portfolio Office.
• Assure and endorse Cat D & C investment cases (up to £100M), ensuring the submissions are robust, well planned, resourced to deliver and that risk is balanced and manageable, supporting the Pillar Leads.
• Ensure the governance framework across the Directorate operates effectively, including leading with the leadership of the CSSE Command Group and continuous improvement.
• Chair of the CSSE People & Culture board and leading across the CSSE Directorate for People resourcing (Recruitment), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Organisational Breakdown Structure (OBS), Diversity & Inclusion and 'lived experience.
  
  

Please note that individuals should normally have been resident in the UK for five years preceding their application for DV clearance. For further information please follow this link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance.

Candidates for this role will be required to achieve ATOMIC and STRAP clearances as part of undertaking their role.

The role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is to ensure leadership and effective delivery of core business operations, implementing improvements to business systems and supporting operational delivery across the Directorate. To achieve this, the COO will drive and maintain the overall programme, performance, risk and financial position of the Directorate ensuring effective business delivery.

You will be the delegated budget holder for Equipment Plan (£250M annual) and Operating Expenditure (£20M annual) with responsibility for constructing taut and realistic budgets and exercising in-year financial control within agreed control totals.

• Develop and implement operational plans to drive and measure delivery and internal operational performance, holding Delivery Teams to account for individual and collective delivery performance on behalf of Chief Strategic Systems Executive
  
  

(CSSE).

• Provide cross-Directorate leadership building effective communications to drive forward engagement and retention. Deputising for the Director on day-to-day performance, leadership and delivery matters.
• Lead the central programming, planning and budgeting of the Trident Weapon System with US Government Officials, including compilation and agreement of the Joint Programme of Record as authorised by the Polaris Sales Agreement and Co-Chair
  
  

(with US Director level official) the US/UK Joint Program Finance Working Group.

• Lead scrutiny and assurance of Equipment Plan and Operating Expenditure costings ahead of Director level screening. Control in-year expenditure to maximise delivery whilst remaining within Corporate spending limits, including setting of spend priorities
  
  

across the Directorate to optimise the Strategic Weapon System Programme.

• Drive continuous improvement, embedding business change and Project Controls disciplines, supporting the development of a high performing team by promoting a learning culture, including working across the SDA P3M and SDA Portfolio Office.
• Assure and endorse Cat D & C investment cases (up to £100M), ensuring the submissions are robust, well planned, resourced to deliver and that risk is balanced and manageable, supporting the Pillar Leads.
• Ensure the governance framework across the Directorate operates effectively, including leading with the leadership of the CSSE Command Group and continuous improvement.
• Chair of the CSSE People & Culture board and leading across the CSSE Directorate for People resourcing (Recruitment), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Organisational Breakdown Structure (OBS), Diversity & Inclusion and 'lived experience.
  
  

Please note that individuals should normally have been resident in the UK for five years preceding their application for DV clearance. For further information please follow this link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance.

Candidates for this role will be required to achieve ATOMIC and STRAP clearances as part of undertaking their role.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience of leading and managing multi-disciplined teams delivering in a complex environment.
• Proven ability to lead and empower teams, through inclusive leadership, direction setting and performance management to ensure delivery outcomes.
• Experience of stakeholder management and collaboration to build and maintain productive relationships and agreements
• Proven experience of programme leadership inclusive of finance, risk, commercial management and governance
• Experience of building and maintaining high performing teams
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of managing and operating in an international environment
• Experience of central government communication procedures and influencing decision making
• Knowledge of the Polaris Sales Agreement
• Knowledge of the Trident / Deterrent Programme
  
  

Qualifications

• A recognised qualification in Programme/ Project Management or equivalent experience and/or membership of the Association for Project Management.
  
  

Qualifications

A recognised qualification in Programme/ Project Management or equivalent experience and/or membership of the Association for Project Management.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
  
  

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Ministry of Defence contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
• Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
  
  

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At Application You Will Be Asked To Provide:

A CV (no more than 2 pages) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and evidence. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

A separate Supporting Statement of no more than 2 pages in a PDF document providing clear evidence of how you meet the essential Criteria, qualifications and if applicable desirable criteria laid out in the Person Specification.

As part of the application process, you are asked to complete the following:

Diversity Monitoring will be captured anonymously via CS jobs. Any data collected in this section will be reported in an anonymous and aggregate format and will not be seen by anyone assessing your application.

The interview will include the requirement to prepare a presentation. The topic will be confirmed ahead of your interview. Candidates will also undertake a staff engagement exercise, which will assist the panel in their final assessment.

When choosing your Behaviour examples for interview, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your responses, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

External candidates who join the MOD and are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 4 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : Robert Lauchlan
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Please see attached further information document.