Senior Project Manager

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Retford; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Bonus scheme up to 7%

Relocation allowance

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Annual leave 25 days + Christmas and 2

Job summary

UKFE, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority, invites applications for a senior project leader to drive a diverse portfolio of Science & Technology projects within the STEP programme.

You will work with Design Authority, Engineering Delivery Teams and stakeholders to shape delivery plans, manage risks, and accelerate breakthroughs in fusion energy delivery and programme governance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in leading and delivering multi-million pound projects in complex, technical, and highly regulated environments.
• Extensive experience delivering development phases of projects and balancing robust controls with evolving design.
• Strong programme and project management expertise across scope, schedule, cost, risk, governance and controls.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills to engage with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of an approved portfolio of Science & Technology projects.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of innovative concepts, research opportunities and risk reduction initiatives.
• Translate ambiguous requirements into clearly defined projects, business cases and delivery plans.
• Provide leadership to project teams with governance, planning, budgeting and risk management.
• Drive prioritisation to align investments with programme objectives and strategic goals.
• Establish and maintain performance baselines, track progress and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate across the STEP programme to remove barriers and maximise delivery.

Skills

Leading large-scale projects

Programme management

Budget & governance

Stakeholder management

Change and transformation

Job description

• Site Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire
• Department: UKFE - Whole Programme and Controls

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) 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. UKFE 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 UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy 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 UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey.

As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:

• Outstandingdefined benefit pension scheme,details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporatebonus schemeup to7%and aRelocationallowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working optionsincluding family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programmeand trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leaveallowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• A vibrantculturecommitted to being fullyinclusive

The salary for this role is£64,115. This role includes a non-contractual and non-pensionable specialist allowance of £7,700 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

This position is based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

The closing date for this advert is set for the 8th September 2026.

Job Description

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Whole Programme, you will be responsible for leading the delivery of a diverse portfolio of Science & Technology projects, ranging from early-stage technical studies and proof-of-concept activities through to large-scale research, development and innovation programmes worth millions of pounds.

Working closely with Design Authority, Engineering Delivery Teams, Integrated Project Teams, and wider stakeholders, you will identify opportunities to reduce risk, improve plant design, and accelerate programme delivery. You will thrive in an environment characterised by uncertainty, technical complexity, and evolving requirements, bringing structure, direction, and leadership to transform ideas into tangible outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of an approved portfolio of Science & Technology projects.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of innovative concepts, research opportunities, and risk reduction initiatives.
• Translate ambiguous requirements into clearly defined projects, business cases, and delivery plans.
• Provide leadership to project teams, ensuring effective governance, planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Drive prioritisation activities to ensure investments align with programme objectives and strategic goals.
• Establish and maintain performance baselines, tracking progress and implementing corrective actions where required.
• Collaborate across the STEP programme to remove barriers, secure resources, and maximise delivery performance.
• Manage project budgets ranging from hundreds of thousands to multi-million-pound investments.
• Produce high-quality reporting and insights for senior stakeholders and governance boards.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and delivery excellence.
• Support recruitment, development, and leadership of project management professionals.

About You

We are looking for an experienced project leader who enjoys working in highly innovative, technically challenging environments and has the ability to bring clarity and momentum to complex programmes.

You will likely have:

• Significant experience delivering complex projects or programmes within science, engineering, technology, R&D, energy, defence, infrastructure, or other highly regulated sectors.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, influence, and build high-performing teams.
• Experience working in environments with significant uncertainty, ambiguity, and evolving requirements.
• Excellent programme and project management expertise across scope, schedule, cost, risk, governance, and controls.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• A track record of identifying opportunities, solving problems, and driving successful outcomes.
• Experience managing significant project budgets and complex resource requirements.

Why Join STEP?

This is more than a project management role. It is an opportunity to contribute to one of the UK's most ambitious scientific programmes and help deliver a technology that could transform how the world generates clean energy.

You'll work alongside some of the brightest minds in science, engineering, and programme delivery, tackling challenges that have never been solved before and playing a key role in turning fusion energy into a reality.

Qualifications

Significant experienceinleading and delivering significant multi £m scale projects in complex, technical and highly regulated environments

Extensiveexperience working on development phase ofprojectsand understand the balance needed between robust controls and flexibility as the design evolves

Well versed andsignificantexperienceusingvarious project managementmethodologies.

Vast experience of leadingteam in ambiguous environment

Significant experienceof influencing leadersand key stakeholders to drive Science and Technology

Haveainnovating and R&D mindset

Significant experienceof developing projects working with wide range of stakeholders

Excellentinterpersonal and communication skills, to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and can engage effectively with technical and non-technical professionals in a complex matrix organisation

A strongexperienceof budget, commercial and project/programme methods.

SignificantExperienced and comfortable with change and the ability to work autonomously with an organisation that is undergoing significant transformation and candemonstratea proven ability to conform to shifting priorities,demandsand timelines through analytical and problem-solving capability

Significant experienceofworking with technical and operational ambiguity, in fast-developing programme.

Have Project Managementcertifications likeAPM Chartered Project Professional

Beneficial:

Working in Research Development and Innovation and projects of highly technical nature

Previousexperience of Fusion or similar industry

Have significant years of experience in working in project environment

Membership and other professional qualifications like MSP.

Significantexperiencemanaging teams of five or more.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. 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 organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKFE.

As we work towards our mission and goals, guided by our principles, STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work:

• We championsafety
• We allmatter
• We act asone
• We arepioneering
• Wedeliver

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 you have we cannot process your application.

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