Head of Master Planning

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

270 hours annual leave

Pension scheme (contributory)

Professional development funding

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Atomic Weapons Establishment is seeking a Head of Master Planning to lead the development and delivery of the Establishment Master Plan and Infrastructure Capability Plan, shaping the long-term estate strategy to support our mission for decades to come.

This senior role requires strong strategic leadership, extensive experience in estate planning and infrastructure, and the ability to engage with executive leaders across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in estate planning, master planning, infrastructure strategy or related discipline.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver long-term strategic plans.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders and influencing at executive level.
• Experience managing budgets, resources, risks and governance within a complex organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, maintenance and approval of AWE's Establishment Master Plan and Infrastructure Capability Plan, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term estate strategy.
• Shape and coordinate future infrastructure and land use requirements across AWE locations, balancing competing priorities to optimise investment and capability outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to understand business needs and develop integrated plans that support organisational growth and operational delivery.
• Provide strategic advice and assurance to senior leaders on estate planning, capability risks, opportunities and investment priorities.
• Oversee estate planning governance, including chairing land and property forums and supporting decision-making processes.
• Ensure effective management of estate capability risks, maintaining accurate and up-to-date planning information to support future delivery.
• Lead the provision and development of AWE's Geographical Information System (GIS) capabilities.
• Manage investment planning and budget oversight, providing scrutiny, challenge and recommendations to support effective resource allocation.
• Champion AWE's values, mission and regulatory compliance requirements, ensuring robust governance across estate planning activities.

Skills

Estate planning

Master planning

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

People management

Governance

Communication

Decision making

Education

Degree in Estate Management/Planning/Engineering

Job description

Head of Master Planning

#LI-ZB1

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: A competitive salary aligned with the seniority and impact of this role.

Working Pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day. For this role, employees are required to work fully onsite. We support flexible working arrangements where possible, including part-time and varied working hours, while maintaining an onsite presence. Please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working pattern as part of your application.

Ready to play your part? As Head of Master Planning, you will lead the development and delivery of AWE's Establishment Master Plan and Infrastructure Capability Plan, ensuring a clear and coherent strategy for the evolution of our sites. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for defining and driving the long-term vision for AWE's estate, enabling the infrastructure and facilities required to support our mission for decades to come.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities include:

• Lead the development, maintenance and approval of AWE's Establishment Master Plan and Infrastructure Capability Plan, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term estate strategy.
• Shape and coordinate future infrastructure and land use requirements across AWE locations, balancing competing priorities to optimise investment and capability outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to understand business needs and develop integrated plans that support organisational growth and operational delivery.
• Provide strategic advice and assurance to senior leaders on estate planning, capability risks, opportunities and investment priorities.
• Oversee estate planning governance, including chairing land and property forums and supporting decision-making processes.
• Ensure effective management of estate capability risks, maintaining accurate and up-to-date planning information to support future delivery.
• Lead the provision and development of AWE's Geographical Information System (GIS) capabilities.
• Manage investment planning and budget oversight, providing scrutiny, challenge and recommendations to support effective resource allocation.
• Champion AWE's values, mission and regulatory compliance requirements, ensuring robust governance across estate planning activities.

Who are we looking for?

We're seeking a strategic and influential leader with the ability to shape the long-term development of a complex estate and infrastructure portfolio.

Essential skills and experience:

• Significant experience in estate planning, master planning, infrastructure strategy or a related discipline.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver long-term strategic plans aligned to organisational objectives.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure investment planning, capital programmes and asset development.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders and influencing decision‑making at executive level.
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities and translate business requirements into deliverable plans.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience leading high‑performing teams.
• Experience managing budgets, resources, risks and governance processes within a complex organisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to identify strategic risks and opportunities, driving effective solutions and continuous improvement.
• Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as Estate Management, Planning, Engineering, Infrastructure, Property, or a related field.

Work hard, be rewarded:

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

Important things you need to know:

We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.

You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process. Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process. Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions. Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.

If you’re looking for a role with excitement, intrigue and something that really makes a difference then now is the time to join AWE.

We are at the start of a once in a generation, possibly two generations, programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent. We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state-of-the-art capital and construction projects – some of which have never been done before. Find out more on our website.

We are an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award Employer.

Visit the Service Leavers page to find out more.