Head of Governance

**Company Description** Company Description**:
The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) 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) protype fusion plant. UKIFS 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 UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions 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 UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground-breaking journey.

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from:

- Outstanding **defined benefit pension scheme, **details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- Corporate **bonus scheme up to **_7_**% **and a **Relocation** allowance (if eligible).
- ** Flexible working options** including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
- ** Employee Assistance Programme** and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
- ** Generous annual leave** allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
- Wide range of **career development opportunities**:

- A vibrant **culture** committed to being fully **inclusive**

The salary for this role is **£66,436**_, and _**_onsite working _**_is expected for _**_3 days a week._**

Employees of UKIFS can be based at either of our sites; **West Burton,** **Nottinghamshire** or **Culham, Oxfordshire**

This role requires employees to **complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)**, including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

**The Role**

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference on a global scale? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy as **Head of Engineering Governance** in the field of fusion energy. In this role you will play a pivotal role in leading a team of 3-5, indirectly managing a larger team to include strategic partners, and overseeing all technical governance aspects of the organisation as it transitions from Programme to Organisation.

You will be accountable for the design and delivery of governance on the STEP programme and focus on developing, maintaining and evolving the key governance requirements for UKIFS to operate as Design Authority and deliver a major, first of a kind, programme. You will ensure the programme is able to manage a significant portfolio of technical risk by developing policies, process and procedures to enable the development and of a first of a kind fusion power plant. As many systems currently have low technical readiness, you must evolve the governance regime as the design evolves to ensure governance is proportionate to the phase of the engineering lifecycle. Critical to the role will be ensuring that you not only bring together the UKIFS engineering organisation but also take into account the views our partners in the UKAEA and Industry, linking hearts and minds within the disparate groups to create one ‘best for programme’ vision.

Within the framework of a systems engineering approach, you will own and set the direction of complex and evolving technical, regulatory and commercial governance and will be required to work with strategic partners to ensure that the engineering done outside of UKIFS is governed to an equivalent standard. In addition, you will institute an engineering lifecycle management approach and the framework in which UKIFS engineering takes place. You'll oversee engineering configuration and change management, drive continuous improvement, and set a culture of excellence within the organisation. Your role includes promoting organised work practices without stifling innovation and representing engineering in discussions with senior management and other product areas.

Establishing a fusion company in the UK is pioneering work. You'll thrive in this role if you can both embrace uncertainty and ambiguity and effect change across disparate organisations as we build UKIFS and its team. You'll shape standards as we grow, while also seeking new technologies, efficiencies, and leadership opportunities in nuclear fusion.

**Additional Responsibilities**:

- Setting strategic direction and taking responsibility for the direction and delivery of engineering governance for UKIFS Ltd and the STEP Programme, including influencing at all levels of the organisation to create a ‘best for programme’ mindset and