AWE
Programme Construction Lead
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If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.
Role title: Construction Programme Lead
Closing date: 4th August 2026
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: Up to £100,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications & level of experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Ready to play your part?
At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?
Shape the Future of UK Nuclear Infrastructure
Ready to Lead at Programme Scale?
- If you are motivated by complexity, strategic influence, strong governance, commercial leadership, and the opportunity to shape delivery at the highest level, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.
As Construction Programme Lead, you’ll take a strategic client-side leadership role on one of the UK’s most complex and high-profile infrastructure programmes — the Future Materials Campus (FMC). This programme comprises of seven major new-build facilities, delivered on a site comparable in scale to the 2012 Olympic Park, this programme is critical to the UK’s nuclear security mission.
We are looking for an individual who brings not only construction leadership, but also strong commercial judgement, contract management expertise, and the ability to operate confidently within an Intelligent Customer environment. This role requires someone who can provide strategic oversight across programme delivery, commercial interfaces, regulatory obligations, and delivery partner performance.
Due to the nature of the work, this is a predominantly site-based role at AWE Aldermaston, with limited opportunities for remote working. You won’t be delivering a single project, you’ll be shaping how an entire programme is governed, assured, and delivered.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Construction Management programmatic leader with proven expertise in the client-side delivery of major projects or programmes. The role will involve:
- Defining and leading the construction strategy across a complex, multi-project programme
- Acting as a senior client-side authority, setting clear expectations for construction delivery partners and ensuring alignment with programme objectives
- Providing oversight, governance, and assurance across construction delivery, including interfaces and partner performance
- Ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations, including the effective discharge of client duties and informed oversight of Principal Contractor arrangements
- Championing a systems-based approach to delivery, ensuring construction is fully integrated with engineering, safety, logistics, commercial, and programme functions
- Demonstrating strong commercial acumen to inform construction delivery model selection, procurement strategy, and risk-based planning; leading contract management and commercial performance to ensure delivery partners are effectively governed and managed in line with contractual intent
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We do need you to have the following:
- Demonstrable experience in strategic construction leadership across major infrastructure, capital, or complex delivery programmes
- Strong track record operating within a Client/Intelligent Customer environment, providing strategic leadership, assurance, and informed challenge to delivery organisations
- Deep understanding and practical application of health, safety, environmental and CDM Regulations in a Client/Intelligent Customer capacity
- Experience leading within a systems-based or integrated delivery environment
- Proven ability to set construction strategy, govern construction delivery, and manage complex delivery interfaces at programme level
- Significant experience in construction commercial and contract management, including working with NEC and/or ECI forms of contract, support the managing performance against contractual obligations
Technical & Professional Credentials
- Degree-qualified in Engineering, Construction, or related discipline
- Chartered or Fellow of a relevant professional institution
- Recognised safety qualification (e.g. SMSTS or NEBOSH Construction)
Desirable
- Experience in nuclear or other highly regulated environments
- Knowledge of DfMA, complex logistics planning, and constrained-site delivery
Work hard, be rewarded:
We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:
- 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions)
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary)
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring
You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role
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Next steps:
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
Important things you need to know:
- We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
- You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.
- The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
- We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
- Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
- Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.
- Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
If you’re looking for a role with excitement, intrigue and something that really makes a difference then now is the time to join AWE. We are at the start of a once in a generation – possibly two generations – programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent. We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state-of-the-art capital and construction projects – some of which have never been done before.
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