Managing Director (MD) Nuclear Fuels is a crucial new role to oversee the establishment of the Nuclear Fuels Programme (NFP) which will re-establish a nuclear fuel cycle for reactor fuel for defence purposes. This is a multi-billion pound multi-decade programme that is part of our commitment to modernise defence nuclear fuel production under the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

The NFP also provides an opportunity for the UK to develop world-leading technology and drive synergies between the defence and civil nuclear sectors.

The capability to do this exists mainly in the civil sector in the UK and significant interaction with civil nuclear will be essential to identify and capitalise on strategic opportunities for HMG. The investment in the NFP could pay for the acquisition and build of multiple nuclear-licensed facilities, the beginning of operations of those facilities and extensive R&D. MD Nuclear Fuels will have to set a commercial and industrial strategy across multiple industrial partners and establish strong programme management controls to deliver this multi-faceted programme.

This is an SCS3 level role that will also focus on building a team within DNO to deliver the early stages of NFP, developing out the existing team and accelerating the scale and pace of work as we move to delivery. As a nascent programme MD Nuclear Fuels will also have the opportunity to establish appropriate and proportionate governance and design a team structure that supports the objectives of the programme. In the longer term this role will oversee the incubation of an Arms Length Body (ALB) to ultimately own and operate all or part of the capability.

MD Nuclear Fuels will be supported by a Senior Steering Board which will include external advisors.

We are looking for a strong and effective leader who has demonstrable experience of leading large and complex organisations or teams to achieve success, alongside a reputation for building strong multi-stakeholder requirements. This role will require an excellent professional reputation gained at Senior Responsible Owner or senior executive level, responsible for the set-up and delivery of major portfolios, programmes or projects of comparable scale and complexity.

Location: due to the sensitivity, the core office location will MOD, London. However, the role will require frequent travel to other MOD sites including MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, and partners on a domestic and international basis.

Salary: From £220,000 (+ up to £100,000 performance related bonus)

Working Pattern: Full-Time

To receive the job specification and application information and/or if you require a further conversation please e-mail MDNuclearFuels@kornferry.com

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the application by no later than 23:55 Monday 9th December.