Programme Manager - FT Capital Projects

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them. 

Each project will contribute to a unique suite of test facilities within UKAEA South Yorkshire, enabling users to validate and verify materials and components in a fusion-relevant environment. You will lead a project team responsible for the execution and delivery of these projects, ensuring quality, schedule, and cost objectives are achieved. You will also develop and oversee an integrated programme that establishes UKAEA South Yorkshire as the leading centre for the design and delivery of fusion test rigs. In addition, you will represent UKAEA externally at a senior level and prepare reports for ExCo, the UKAEA Board, and, where required, the UK Government.

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Core responsibilities

• Lead the set-up, governance, and delivery framework for the programme and associated capital projects.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to senior stakeholders and project delivery teams 
• Develop and implement the programme strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Manage the day-to-day running of the programme on behalf of the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) to deliver agreed outcomes and benefits.
• Identify, manage, and realise programme benefits in line with APM best practice.
• Lead programme-wide resource planning and workforce capability development, ensuring projects are appropriately resourced in the medium and long term.
• Provide line management, coaching, and capability building for project managers and delivery teams.
• Oversee the programme budget, including financial performance, risk allowances, and management reserves.
• Ensure delivery in line with UKAEA governance, quality assurance standards, and regulatory requirements, including CDM compliance.
• Lead procurement and strategic contract management with external suppliers and partners.
• Establish and maintain robust programme reporting and performance metrics to support informed executive and board-level decision-making.
• Chair the Fusion Technology Capital Projects Programme Board and lead programme prioritisation and value engineering activities.

• Extensive experience delivering major, complex engineering or scientific capital projects, achieving cost, schedule, and quality objectives in a programme management role.
• MSP® Practitioner/Advanced Practitioner (or equivalent) with a recognised project management qualification (e.g. APM PMQ, PRINCE2).
• Strong knowledge and practical application of NEC contracts and CDM Regulations within UK engineering and construction projects.
• Significant experience in financial management of large programme budgets, with strong commercial awareness and value-driven decision making.
• Proven ability to deliver programmes in highly complex, ambiguous environments, managing risk, uncertainty, and evolving requirements.
• Experience delivering engineering facilities and equipment through industry procurement, including major supply-chain engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership of large, multidisciplinary project teams delivering complex capital infrastructure.
• Experience contributing to organisational strategy and programme development, particularly within complex or publicly funded environments.

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

• £94758 base salary inclusive of specialist allowance
• Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution 
• 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure, 2.5 privilege day and 8 Bank holidays 
• Flexible and hybrid working options 

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including