Head of Operations

Company Description
By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in strategically contributing to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.
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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.
As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values that capture the spirit of how we work. These values include being**:Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative.**

Job Description*
Who are we looking for?*
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is delivering world class fusion energy research and development which will lead to a low carbon, sustainable source of energy for future generations.
As Head Of Operations you have extensive experience of leading and managing scientific and/or engineering teams and strong experience of management of engineering projects and procurements. Your ability to build collaborations and communicate with people at all levels will be essential to succeed in this role.
The Fusion Technology business unit within the UKAEA consists of a number of specialist fusion related engineering and scientific disciplines, including Thermal Hydraulics, Powerplant Technology, Applied Radiation Technology, Applied Materials, Advanced Manufacturing and Equipment Qualification. The business unit also operates a number of test facilities which aim to reproduce the extreme thermal conditions and unique combinational loadings experienced by components within a fusion device. These capabilities are deployed to make world class impacts across domestic, European and international fusion programmes in additional to supporting privately owned fusion start-ups.
**What will you be responsible for?**
Reporting to the Director of Fusion Technology, the Head of Operations will be responsible for the day-to-day operational performance of the business unit with regards to quality, delivery, safety, resource management, costs, management reporting and for the delivery of activities and strategy in line with the Business Plan.
Your main responsibilities will include:

- Provide effective leadership of the BU to deliver the business objectives contributing to FTBU and UKAEA’s strategies.
- Maximising the efficiency of the Business Unit, building a dynamic team and continually improving processes.
- Ensuring systems are in place to assure the quality, delivery and cost of programme deliverables
- Be accountable for ensuring the FT operation allocating resources effectively and tracks project progress to commitments, by being responsible for capacity planning, agreeing and monitoring of resourcing levels and skills across the BU to meet the business needs.
- Be accountable for agreeing annual budgets and tracking progress against budget, working with Finance to provide accurate management reporting against FT budgets and goals
- Work with the Chief Technologist to develop a technology strategy incorporating UKAEA goals and aligning with EUROfusion, EPSRC and other major programmes.
- Ensure all areas within the BU develop a skills pipeline including apprenticeships, work experience, summer placements, year in industry placements and graduate entry. Ensures each group has a technical training programme for fusion-specific skills.
**Note**: The Fusion Technology Business Unit is based in both Culham and South Yorkshire. The role could be based at either site and will require travel in order to provide a leadership presence at both sites.

Qualifications*
Essential skills, experience and competence required*
- Engineering degree or equivalent
- Proven operational leadership capabilities,in a technical research environment, with excellent communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to build cross business-unit and cross location teams to ensure delivery of business objectives
- Experience in optimising team structures and team outputs through organisation design and change management
- Experience in winning research grants
- Project management experience and experience in using formal project management processes.
- Experience of holding responsibility for operational safety relating to hazardous facilities, ideally holding a formal qualification in safety.
**Desirable skills, experience and competence**
- Project management qualifications
- Safety management qualifications
Additional Information*
What we offer*
- A competitive salary
- A culture committed to being fully inclusive, supported by a Being Inclusive Strategy and Inclusion Ambassadors
- An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and wellbein