Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Deputy Director of Policy and Government Function
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Location: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
Job summary
Would you like to be a driving-force behind some of the biggest capital infrastructure projects in the UK and Europe, which will help secure UK energy security, and contribute to the UK’s net zero ambitions for decades to come? This is your opportunity.
Nuclear power has a key role to play in the UK's energy mix and is at the forefront of debates on how to address the UK's energy needs. By generating reliable low-carbon power at all times of day and regardless of the weather, nuclear provides a firm foundation for a lower-cost, more reliable and more secure electricity system, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and the vulnerability of consumers' energy bills to their volatile prices.
The directorate oversees HMG’s interests in Sizewell C (SZC), Hinkley Point C (HPC) and Sizewell B (SZB). SZC is a new large gigawatt nuclear power station being built in Suffolk, as an above-ground replica of HPC. Once operational it will generate enough electricity for 6 million homes for more than 50 years, making a huge contribution to UK energy security, with significant benefits for UK jobs and businesses.
A Final Investment Decision on SZC was taken in July 2025, with the Regulated Asset Base funding model – a first for a new nuclear project – commencing in November as new private investors assumed their stakes in the project. The Nuclear Projects Delivery team is responsible for navigating strategic, commercial, regulatory and technical challenges to progress SZC in HMG’s roles as Shareholder, Policy Sponsor and Debt Provider. The team is also responsible for assuring the delivery of HPC and is currently involved in negotiations with EDF to extend the life of Sizewell B (SZB).
This work, at the cutting edge of the Government’s energy policy delivery, is exciting and fast-paced, dealing with varied and complex issues in a complex multifaceted stakeholder, commercial and legal environment.
Job description
We are seeking candidates with strong policy and project delivery backgrounds. This is a stretching role providing exciting opportunities for professional development through involvement in large scale nuclear projects, including access and exposure to senior stakeholders in/outside Government. This is a unique opportunity to be at the heart of net zero projects of cross-generational significance.
The team prides itself on having a warm, supportive culture, drawing on a unique range of experience and expertise to ensure individual and collective wellbeing at all times, and to allow the space needed for personal development whilst pursuing our collective objectives.
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Working closely with the Technical and Shareholding Deputy Directors, this role sits at the centre of the Nuclear Projects Delivery Directorate, providing strategic leadership across policy, communications, and reporting for three of Government’s most significant nuclear projects. It combines high-profile policy development with operational oversight, supporting delivery across a complex and politically sensitive portfolio.
The postholder will lead on a broad and evolving set of policy issues, ensuring the Department is well-positioned to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. This includes shaping the Government’s response to the Fingleton review, external scrutiny, such as Public Accounts Committee inquiries, and leading engagement with organisations such as the Office for National Statistics to determine classification decisions that have significant fiscal and governance implications. The role also drives the development of key frameworks and mechanisms, including shareholder agreements, subsidy assessments, and approaches to recycling Government returns to consumers.
Alongside policy leadership, you will oversee a high-performing communications function responsible for managing a significant volume of Parliamentary questions, Freedom of Information requests, correspondence, and briefing. This requires ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent messaging on complex and often high-profile issues, while maintaining strong relationships with Ministers, senior officials, and external stakeholders.
The role also has responsibility for reporting and assurance across the portfolio, ensuring that information provided by project companies supports Government reporting requirements, including ORB and GMPP processes, and meets high standards of quality and timeliness. In parallel, you will oversee adviser contract management, ensuring that external expertise is effectively commissioned and managed to support robust decision-making.
A key expectation of the role is to establish the team as a centre of excellence for nuclear financing and policy insight, supporting not only the Nuclear Projects Delivery Directorate but also wider nuclear teams. This involves building capability, sharing best practice, and contributing to the development of cross-cutting policy and strategy.
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You will lead a team of approximately 15 staff across three Grade 6-led areas, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture. The role requires strong leadership, strategic judgement, and the ability to operate confidently in a fast-paced, complex environment with multiple senior stakeholders across Government, regulators, and industry.
Overall, this is a critical leadership role at the heart of delivering major nuclear infrastructure, combining policy, communication, and delivery oversight to support successful outcomes on nationally significant projects.
Person specification
Inclusive Leadership & Capability Building
- A proven track record of leading, inspiring, and developing multi-disciplinary teams — including leading other managers — to help them reach their full potential. Experience driving productivity, establishing clear accountability, and fostering a supportive, resilient, and inclusive team culture.
Proactive Policy-to-Delivery & Systems Thinking
- A proactive, self-starting approach to policy development, with experience using policy and strategic levers to actively support and unblock delivery. A proven ability to align policy with overarching strategic objectives by identifying critical interdependencies and navigating a complex landscape.
Energy Sector or Complex Systems Expertise
- Working knowledge of the UK energy system, or a similarly complex, highly regulated, and capital-intensive sector. Strong analytical skills and sound strategic judgement, with the ability to quickly grasp and navigate complex, technical, and fast-moving subject matter.
Major Project Oversight & Cross-Boundary Collaboration
- Experience working on, or providing strategic oversight for, major capital infrastructure or high-value projects. Outstanding collaborative skills, with a track record of working across organisational boundaries — including closely with other departments and external partners — to deliver shared outcomes.
Senior Stakeholder Influence & Managing Scrutiny
- Excellent communication skills and a track record of successfully negotiating and influencing at the most senior levels, including Ministers, executives, or Board-level stakeholders. The resilience to manage a high volume of public accountability work under intense scrutiny and pace.
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