Environmental Assurance Lead

Nuclearinst; Dounreay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuclearinst is seeking an experienced environmental professional to lead the Level 2 environmental assurance programme at Dounreay, Scotland. In this role, you will ensure compliance with legislation and continuously improve environmental management systems.

The ideal candidate should have a degree, extensive experience in ISO 14001, and a strong understanding of environmental regulations. You will collaborate with senior leaders and regulators to enhance environmental governance.

If you are ready to make an impact, apply now!

Qualifications

• Extensive environmental management experience in high-hazard industries.
• Proven expertise in implementing and auditing environmental management systems.
• Strong understanding of environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver a comprehensive Level 2 environmental assurance programme.
• Design and deliver environmental assessments, audits, and oversight activities.
• Evaluate and enhance management systems, ensuring they remain compliant.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Influencing stakeholders

Education

Degree-qualified (or equivalent experience)

Tools

ISO 14001

Job description

Join us at Dounreay at a pivotal time, where your expertise will directly influence environmental performance in a high-hazard, highly regulated environment. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in strengthening environmental assurance, driving continuous improvement, and shaping sustainable outcomes across a complex operational portfolio.

As a trusted member of the Head of Profession Environment team, you will operate, alongside the Head of Profession Environment function, at a strategic level, working closely with senior leaders, regulators, and site functions. Your insights will ensure robust compliance, enhance environmental systems, and support the long-term mission of responsible site management and decommissioning.

What you'll be doing:

You will manage and deliver a comprehensive Level 2 (portfolio) environmental assurance programme, ensuring compliance with legislation and standards while embedding continuous improvement across the site. From designing assurance frameworks to influencing senior stakeholders, your role will be central to strengthening environmental governance and performance.

• Design and deliver a programme of environmental assessments, audits, and oversight activities, identifying risks, ensuring compliance, and driving corrective actions
• Evaluate and enhance environmental management systems (including ISO 14001), ensuring they remain effective, compliant, and fit for purpose
• Lead or support investigations, continuous improvement initiatives, and the development of robust environmental policies and written arrangements
• Collaborate with internal teams, regulators, and senior leadership, providing expert insight, reporting, and representation at key forums
• Perform the responsibilities of Authorisations where relevant to the post

What you'll bring:

You are an experienced environmental professional with a strong track record in high-hazard industries, known for your analytical thinking, leadership, and ability to influence at all levels. You bring both technical expertise and strategic insight, enabling you to translate complex requirements into practical, value-adding improvements.

• Degree-qualified (or equivalent experience) with professional membership (e.g. ISEP) and extensive environmental management experience
• Proven expertise in ISO 14001, including implementing, auditing, and continually improving environmental management systems
• Strong understanding of environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks, ideally within Scotland, and experience working in highly regulated environments
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex issues, lead improvement initiatives, and work effectively both independently and collaboratively
• Post specific capability analysis assessment

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in a role that combines technical challenge, strategic influence, and purpose-driven work, we’d love to hear from you.

If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process contact [e-mail] so we can make any necessary, reasonable adjustment.