Head of Programme and Project Controls - UKIFS

STEP Fusion; Culham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fusion energy organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Programme and Project Controls. This role involves leading project management practices and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance program success. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and relevant qualifications. The position is based in Culham, with on-site work expected for three days a week. The organization promotes equality and diversity in its workforce.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Effective leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high performing teams.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional qualifications.
• Exceptional understanding of project and program management methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of program and project controls.
• Manage a team of project professionals ensuring effective delivery.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Effective leadership skills

Project management methodologies

Risk management

Cost control

Quality assurance

Education

Chartered Project Professional or equivalent

Job description

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey.

For more information, visit: UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf

Job Description

As an employee of UKIFS you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive

This role requires employees to be eligible for SC Clearance (must have resided in the UK for the last 5 years), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

This role will be based at; Abingdon, Oxford and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

Please note this role will close on 10th Oct 2025

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference on a global scale? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy as Head of Programme and Project Controls in the field of fusion energy.

In this role, you\'ll lead the development and implementation of program and project controls within UKIFS and a collaborative major program. Your responsibilities include driving best practices, ensuring compliance with standards, and enhancing overall program success. Collaborating with key stakeholders, you\'ll manage a team of project professionals to ensure effective delivery of scope, schedule, cost, risk, and dependencies. Working closely with senior leaders, you\'ll contribute to the efficient establishment and delivery of the program.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and guidance to team members and stakeholders, aligning with CEO and Chair’s intent and organizational values.
• Lead and develop a team of project professionals, ensuring their growth, engagement, and performance.
• Act as an ambassador for STEP, offering visible thought leadership and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including the UK Government Project Delivery Profession and Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA).
• Offer strategic advice, actively contribute to governance boards, and play a key role in establishing STEP as a well-founded major program within the Senior Leadership Team.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements:

• Effective leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high performing teams and engender confidence in stakeholders.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional qualifications (for example only, Chartered Project Professional, PRINCE2, Managing Successful Programmes) and membership of associated professional bodies (for example the Association for Project Management).
• Exceptional understanding of project and programme management methodologies and controls, and the ability to adapt and apply the most suitable.
• Thorough knowledge of risk management, cost control, and quality assurance.

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.