Programme Assurance Lead

Great British Energy - Nuclear; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Professional development support

Inclusive workplace culture

Job summary

A leading energy provider in the United Kingdom seeks a Programme Assurance Lead to enhance nuclear programme governance and risk management. This pivotal position demands a proactive professional to develop and implement assurance frameworks aligned with national policies. Candidates should possess extensive experience in regulated environments, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to influence executive leaders. This role offers a hybrid working model and opportunities for professional development, contributing to a sustainable energy future.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in programme assurance within highly regulated environments.
• Proven ability to lead assurance reviews and influence executive leaders.
• Strong analytical capability translating complex information into insights.
• Familiarity with P3M methodologies like MSP, MoP, PRINCE2.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of the Programme Assurance Framework.
• Provide expert challenge to senior programme leaders.
• Commission and oversee independent assurance reviews.
• Translate complex assurance data into strategic recommendations.
• Drive transparency and accountability within the organisation.
• Promote transparency, accountability and continuous improvement across the portfolio.
• Embed assurance within governance and reporting, including planning of approvals.

Skills

Programme assurance

Governance

Risk management

Analytical capability

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Audit experience

Education

Degree in Business Administration, Risk Management or related discipline

Professional certifications (CA, CISA or MSP Practitioner)

Tools

Assurance or audit tools and software

MoP

PRINCE2

Job description

Originally named, Great British Nuclear, Great British Energy - Nuclear is an arm's length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. We play a crucial role in advancing nuclear new build, ensuring the UK's energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Great British Energy - Nuclear focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future.

Great British Energy - Nuclear is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and diversity and creates an inclusive workplace. We draw on deep nuclear expertise - our Executive Committee has over 100 years of nuclear experience at home and abroad. GBN-E will unlock billions of pounds of private and public investment from design to operation, helping to get sites ready for development, and working to grow manufacturing capacity and skills capability.

At GBE-N, you'll join a forward‑thinking, mission‑driven team at the forefront of delivering the UK's new nuclear future. You'll work within an organisation that values innovation, expertise and inclusive collaboration, and that moves at pace to support national energy security and sustainability.

We offer flexible hybrid working, strong professional development support and an inclusive culture where your ideas and expertise will influence real‑world outcomes.

The role

Are you a proactive, detail‑oriented professional passionate about shaping one of the most nationally significant programmes in the UK?

As Programme Assurance Lead within the GBE‑N Programme Team, you will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing and continuously enhancing assurance frameworks that support the delivery of the UK's nuclear ambitions. You will ensure that governance, risk and compliance mechanisms are robust, future‑focused, and aligned with Government and industry best practice.

This is a high‑impact role requiring professional expertise, strong judgement, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. You will work across organisational boundaries, challenging and advising senior leaders, shaping assurance strategy, and ensuring that programme delivery is transparent, well‑controlled and resilient.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the development and application of the GBE‑N Programme Assurance Framework, ensuring alignment with national policy, regulatory standards and organisational objectives.
• Providing expert challenge to senior programme leaders, identifying system‑level risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Commissioning and overseeing independent assurance reviews, ensuring findings are actioned and embedded across the programme.
• Advising executive leadership by translating complex assurance data into meaningful insight and strategic recommendations.
• Representing GBN in cross‑sector and governmental forums to help shape national assurance standards and emerging best practices.
• Driving a culture of transparency, accountability and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
• Embedding assurance within programme governance and reporting activities, including the Integrated Assurance and Approvals Plan.
• Leading development of action plans following assurance reviews and ensuring timely implementation of corrective actions.
• Monitoring and reporting on assurance activities, ensuring lessons learned are captured and shared across the portfolio.
• Deputising for the Head of Programme Governance and Assurance when required, ensuring continuity of leadership across assurance, governance and risk functions.

What you'll bring

• Deep experience in programme assurance, audit, governance or risk management within complex, highly regulated environments such as energy, infrastructure or defence.
• Proven ability to lead assurance reviews and influence senior stakeholders, including executive leaders.
• Strong analytical capability and confidence in translating complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Experience supporting major programmes with significant budgets and complex delivery environments.
• Expert knowledge of P3M methodologies such as MSP, MoP, PRINCE2 or NISTA standards and their application at scale.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships.
• Experience shaping and continually improving assurance frameworks to meet evolving organisational needs.
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance standards relevant to large‑scale programme delivery.
• Familiarity with assurance or audit tools and software (desirable).

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent vocational training in Business Administration, Risk Management or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications in assurance, audit or compliance (such as CA, CISA or MSP Practitioner) are welcomed but not essential.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can assist.