UK Atomic Energy Authority
Head of Environment & Sustainability
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Company Description
The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) 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) prototype fusion plant. UKFE 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 UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy 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 UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground-breaking journey.
As an employee of UKFE, 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.
A full list of our benefits can be found here: https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/
The salary for this role is £86,758 with excellent benefits including outstanding pension. This position is based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.
For more information on UKFE, visit: https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf
The closing date for this advert is set for the 25th August 2026.
Job Description
Reporting to the Director of Safety, Quality and Mission Assurance, you will provide strategic leadership and independent advice on all environmental and sustainability matters across UKFE and STEP.
As the organisation's senior environmental advisor, you will work closely with the Executive Team, Programme Leadership Team, and Board to ensure environmental protection, sustainability, and stewardship are embedded into every aspect of decision-making, programme delivery, and long-term business success.
You will lead the development of environmental strategy, governance, and professional standards, whilst establishing a high-performing Environment & Sustainability function capable of supporting one of the UK's most innovative and complex infrastructure programmes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Act as the UKFE Professional Head of Function for Environment & Sustainability.
- Define and deliver the environmental and sustainability vision, strategy, and objectives for UKFE and STEP.
- Provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders, the Executive Team, and Board.
- Lead environmental governance, assurance, and professional standards across the organisation.
- Champion environmental stewardship and sustainability as key enablers of programme success.
Environmental Case & Regulatory Engagement
- Oversee the strategic approach to environmental consenting, permitting, and environmental case development.
- Lead engagement with regulators, government departments, and statutory stakeholders.
- Provide executive oversight for environmental contributions to Development Consent Orders, permits, licences, and authorisations.
- Ensure environmental submissions and supporting evidence are robust, proportionate, and able to withstand scrutiny.
- Build regulatory confidence through transparent, evidence-based engagement.
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Sustainability & Environmental Performance
- Drive the integration of sustainability principles throughout design, engineering, construction, operations, and future decommissioning activities.
- Lead organisational approaches to climate resilience, resource efficiency, circular economy, and sustainable development.
- Identify emerging environmental risks, legislation, and industry best practice.
- Establish meaningful environmental performance measures and drive continuous improvement.
Capability & Team Leadership
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing Environment & Sustainability function.
- Establish professional development pathways, competence frameworks, and succession plans.
- Foster a collaborative culture focused on innovation, learning, and excellence.
- Ensure effective integration with partners, contractors, and delivery organisations.
External Leadership
- Represent UKFE and STEP at executive, industry, regulatory, and government forums.
- Act as a visible ambassador for environmental sustainability within the fusion sector.
- Support the development of public, stakeholder, and regulatory confidence in fusion energy.
About You
We are looking for a credible and influential environmental leader with significant experience operating at a senior strategic level within complex, regulated, or major infrastructure environments.
You will bring:
- Extensive leadership experience in environmental management, sustainability, or environmental regulation.
- Experience influencing executive teams, boards, and senior stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of environmental legislation, permitting, and regulatory frameworks.
- Proven experience developing and implementing environmental strategies within complex organisations.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
- Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams and building organisational capability.
- The ability to provide independent challenge, influence decision-making, and navigate regulatory uncertainty.
- A passion for environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation.
Why Join UKFE?
This is an opportunity to shape the environmental legacy of a world-leading fusion energy programme. You will play a critical role in helping deliver clean energy for future generations while ensuring the highest standards of environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Join us and help define the future of fusion energy.
Qualifications
Essential:
- Degree or equivalent qualification in environmental management, environmental science, engineering, or a related discipline.
- Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Chartered Engineer (CEng), Fellow IEMA, or equivalent recognised professional status.
- Significant senior leadership experience leading Environment and Sustainability functions within major regulated industries, nationally significant infrastructure programmes, or comparable high-hazard environments.
- Demonstrable experience acting as the organisational authority for Environment and Sustainability, providing strategic advice and challenge to Executive and Board-level leadership.
- Proven experience developing and implementing corporate environment and sustainability strategies, policies, and governance frameworks.
- Significant experience leading engagement with environmental regulators, government departments, and senior external stakeholders.
- Proven capability to influence and inform strategic decisions across large, complex organisations operating in highly regulated environments.
- Extensive knowledge of environmental legislation, environmental permitting, major infrastructure consenting regimes, environmental management systems, and assurance frameworks.
- Experience establishing, leading, and developing multidisciplinary professional teams, including organisational capability, competence, and succession planning.
- Excellent communication, engagement, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to represent the organisation credibly at senior national and international levels.
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Beneficial:
- Experience within the nuclear, fusion, energy, defence, infrastructure, or other highly regulated sectors.
- Experience supporting the development and deployment of first-of-a-kind, innovative, or emerging technologies.
- Experience operating as a Professional Head of Function or equivalent organisational leadership role.
- Experience supporting Board governance, assurance, and committee structures.
- Fellow membership of a relevant professional institution.
- Experience working in complex multi-organisational programmes involving government, industry, and strategic partners.
- Experience influencing environmental policy, regulatory framework development, or sector-wide environmental initiatives.
Additional Information
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKFE.
As we work towards our mission and goals, guided by our principles, STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work:
- We champion safety.
- We all matter.
- We act as one.
- We embrace change.
- We are pioneering.
- We deliver.
For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants
If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.
Division: UKFE - Risk Assurance and Regulation
Site Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire
Confirmed Grade: Grade K
Department: UKFE - Regulation
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