Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Deputy Director, Small Modular Reactor Programme: Great British Energy Nuclear - Sponsorship and Policy
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Location: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
Occasional travel to Anglesey and elsewhere in England & Wales is expected
Job Summary
Nuclear power is a vital part of the country’s energy mix, providing clean, reliable, baseload power. In order to meet the government’s energy security, affordability, net zero and economic growth goals, a major ramp up in nuclear capacity is needed. That is why ministers have committed to working with industry to deliver a ‘golden age’ for nuclear and have already made the biggest commitment to new nuclear plants for fifty years.
As well as new large-scale plants at Hinkley Point and Sizewell C, the government also wants to see new designs – small and advanced modular reactors (SMRs and AMRs) – deployed, providing clean energy. The UK’s first SMR project will be the Gwyndod Power Station, developed by Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), the government’s nuclear delivery body, in partnership with Rolls Royce SMR. This will be sited at Wylfa in North Wales, providing enough energy to power the equivalent of three million homes.
This Deputy Director role is a crucial one within the nuclear policy team in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The post-holder will lead the Department’s shareholder and sponsorship relationship with GBE-N, providing strategic oversight of governance, performance, finance and risk. They will ensure alignment between organisational delivery and Government objectives, and act as the principal interface between DESNZ and GBE-N to support the successful delivery of the UK’s nuclear programme while maintaining robust assurance, accountability and value for money.
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Working alongside another Deputy Director, the post-holder will lead a team of c.30 policy officials. They will work closely with ministers and other senior officials across the department, other government departments, the Welsh Government and local government.
This is a great opportunity to work in one of the most important areas of UK energy policy, leading a close-knit, collaborative and high-performing team.
Job Description
You will be responsible for:
- Leading the Department’s sponsorship relationship with GBE-N, building high-trust partnerships with the Chair, CEO, Executive Team and Board to ensure Government priorities are understood, delivery is achieved, and effective challenge, support and assurance are provided while respecting GBE-N’s operational independence.
- Leading engagement across government and the wider nuclear sector to secure the approvals, funding and strategic decisions necessary to deliver major programme milestones, to ultimately enable a project Final Investment Decision.
- Working with GBE-N to shape the delivery strategy, governance framework and organisational capability required to deliver the SMR Programme and wider Government nuclear ambitions.
- Supporting GBE-N in developing and implementing sustainable funding and financing arrangements that align with Government objectives and enable successful programme delivery.
- Managing the policy and sponsorship team, ensuring it is one in which members are supported and have growth and development opportunities.
- Leadership within the Department’s nuclear cluster, to ensure join up across policies and that the cluster is a destination of choice for civil servants to pursue their careers.
- Budget-holder responsibility for Department advisers, and oversight of Parliamentary handling and correspondence related to GBE-N / the SMR programme.
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Person Specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Essential
- Outstanding stakeholder management skills. The ability to build and maintain relationships by; operating as an intelligent client and shareholder; providing effective support, challenge and assurance; and establishing trust and credibility with senior officials, ministers and industry stakeholders.
- Excellent leadership skills and the ability to maintain a positive, collaborative, inclusive culture within the team.
- A strong understanding of the key components of project delivery, including project finance.
- The ability to work at pace under considerable pressure and to exercise sound judgement on complex issues.
Desirable
- Experience of working on energy is welcome but not essential.
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