Programme Lead

World Nuclear Association is the trade association representing the global nuclear industry. It provides a platform for the industry to collaborate on key issues. Our membership is made up of more than 200 companies based in 44 countries across all continents and covers all aspects of the global nuclear industry The secretariat, based in central London, is made up of 45 employees.

This role is central to shaping, evolving, and future-proofing Leadership & Capacity Development (L&CD) initiatives in supporting the nuclear sector to develop a sustainable and adaptable workforce and effective leadership. The successful candidate will lead a cycle of innovation and strategic growth—enhancing the delivery of existing programmes while shaping new initiatives that advance the Association's role in workforce development. They will combine creativity with strategic foresight to identify emerging needs across the global nuclear workforce, designing solutions and collaborative initiatives that strengthen the support we provide to our members, and workforce and leadership capacity across the sector. Collaboration and influence are key attributes, as is the ability to adapt to emerging trends and stakeholder feedback.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Leadership & Capacity Development (L&CD) to design, deliver, evaluate, and enhance all L&CD initiatives, proactively initiating new approaches and responding dynamically to changes and opportunities in the sector.
• Provide Programme Lead support to the World Nuclear Association Working Group on Talent and Workforce Development, seeking and implementing opportunities for industry thought-leadership, developing new expertise, and extending the reach and relevance of WNA's messages
• Support the department's strategic direction by critically reviewing opportunities, assessing programme alignment with evolving Association goals, and identifying new areas for innovation and growth.
• Build, manage, and nurture relationships with key stakeholders—proposing strategic actions to strengthen collaboration and building the Association community in the workforce sector
• Represent WNA in development opportunities, strategically growing the Association's network and the profile of WNU programmes

World Nuclear University:

• Lead the continuous evolution of WNU initiatives, leading curriculum development, piloting new formats, integrating advanced technologies, and establishing feedback mechanisms with diverse stakeholders, maintaining the highest standards for impact and consistency
• Manage Fellow selection and Working Group distribution processes
• Act as on‑the‑ground programme lead for the 6‑week Summer Institute, providing visible leadership, issue‑resolution and daily onsite facilitation
• Consistently identify and champion innovation in our WNU-branded initiatives, ensuring continuous stakeholder feedback informs programme evolution, process innovation and improvements in delivery
• Identify, recruit and brief speakers, mentors and senior stakeholders; ensure stakeholders are actively engaged, and relationships with individuals and organisations are maintained
• Lead the Alumni Board, working with the Project Lead to turn Alumni Board inputs into actionable outcomes and maintain strong programme communities
• Develop and implement systems for Alumni retention and engagement

Working Groups & Thought Leadership

• Co‑develop (with the Head of L&CD) the direction for the Workforce & Talent Development Working Group (WG), identifying where the WG or wider World Nuclear Association can add most value
• Translate strategic insights into potential WG projects/outputs; provide content leadership and support project delivery
• Draft or co‑author selected outputs (briefs, best‑practice notes, position pieces) and ensure alignment with Association priorities
• Support delivery of WG reports/outputs by coordinating inputs, editing contributions and meeting deadlines

External Relationships & Stakeholder Management

• Cultivate high‑level relationships across industry, regulators and partner bodies to support curriculum, technical tours and WG outputs
• Facilitate Alumni Board engagement and maintain constructive relationships with alumni leadership
• Support Head of Department on selected strategic engagements and targeted outreach to key stakeholders

About You

• Education
  : Undergraduate degree (minimum), ideally in a relevant field such as engineering, science, management, or education. Postgraduate qualification or professional certification in project management, programme leadership, or nuclear sector studies is highly valued.
• Professional Experience
  : Minimum of four years in programme management, capacity development, or education within a technical, scientific, or regulated sector. Direct experience in the nuclear sector is a strong advantage
• Project Management Expertise
  : Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects from design to delivery, including budgeting, stakeholder management, reporting, risk evaluation, and process improvement.
• Innovation and Change Leadership
  : Proven track record of driving innovation in curricula, processes, or delivery mechanisms, with examples of adapting to new technologies, methodologies, or feedback systems
• Stakeholder Engagement
  : Extensive experience building, managing, and nurturing strategic relationships, including with senior management, industry partners, and diverse networks.
• Communication
  : Superior written and verbal communication skills, particularly in cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and international contexts. English language proficiency is required
• Alumni and Community Engagement
  : Familiarity with developing retention strategies, fostering alumni engagement, and growing programme communities
• Curiosity, Adaptability & Analytical Thinking
  : Ability to anticipate trends, respond proactively to sector changes, and leverage data-driven insights for continuous improvement

What We Offer

• Employee Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance plans, life assurance, company pension, travel insurance, EAP and wellness programs including gym discounts, retail discounts platform, season ticket loan
• Generous annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service
• Learning and Development: We are committed to your professional growth and look to identify training opportunities to benefit you as an individual and for the Association
• Regular social committee events throughout the year, held internally and externally