Senior Enabling Project Manager

We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to work at the forefront of UK relations with our overseas partner in France. This role provides a truly unique opportunity to collaborate with our esteemed French colleagues and play an integral part in the safety of our nation! The ability to communicate in the French Language is essential for this role. As part of the role, the successful candidate must be willing to travel to France regularly (typically up to 50% of time in either France or London, 30% of time in the office, and 20% of time hybrid working).

The successful candidate will represent the MoD, and on their behalf, report directly to the DNO (Defence Nuclear Organisation) Senior Responsible Owner and Programme Director, with a requirement to engage at Senior Management level across UK and FR Government Departments including CEA. You will be responsible for the Strategy, Requirements, Delivery and Management of the transition into operations of the Programme Enabling Capabilities, including:

• Transportation of Nuclear and Classified Goods to France in support of the UK Trials Programme.
• Management of Waste and Used Trial Vessel Repatriation transport strategy and arrangements.
• Off-Site emergency response and post-accident emergency recovery arrangements.
• Communications Strategy and arrangements.
• Establishing and delivering short and long-term exercise programmes in order to maintain capability response for transport.

Location: We are in the Berkshire countryside between Reading and Basingstoke.

Salary: From £58,630 depending on experience and suitability.

AWE has been voted one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK. As part of our People Promise, we have a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (including bank holidays, plus every other Friday off!).
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, and access to mentors & training.
• Employee assistance programme and occupational health services.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme.
• AWE life assurance.
• Discounts & salary sacrifice scheme - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Relocation package available (terms and conditions apply).

Whilst not to be considered a check list, candidates should be able to demonstrate some of the following:

• The ability to communicate in the French Language is essential for this role (training will be provided, to ensure you are able to converse in French, but it should be recognised that significant personal commitment and self-study will be required to reach the required level).
• Prior experience working with regulators and/or UK embassies overseas would be beneficial.
• A confident communicator (both written and verbal), comfortable liaising with international parties and senior leaders across organisations.
• Ability to effectively prioritise workload, resources, and deadlines within high pressure complex environments.
• Skills to create and update all project documentation, including project management plans and supporting risks, assumptions, actions, issues & dependencies.
• Ability to lead and initiate risk techniques to manage complex project risks and interdependencies with efficient mitigation and contingency plans.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Ensuring compliance and delivery of the Enabling deliverables in accordance with the requirements of the Programme to time, cost, and schedule.
• Confirming activities and milestones are aligned and consistent with the IMS and meet with the Programme requirements.
• Definition and management of scheduled activities including assumptions and risks, where this is relevant to the deliverables and tasks of the role.
• Supporting resources are identified, tasked, and costed according to the requirements of the Enabling programme.
• All associated costs are identified, approved, included within the Programme forecast and budget, and managed accordingly.
• Supporting requirements, investment appraisals and business cases, are identified, in place, approved and managed as required.
• Engagement with the UK and FR Nuclear Regulators to ensure support capability delivery.
• Management and delivery of Enabling capability related policies, agreements, associated supporting documentation and associated approvals in line with MoD and AWE project procedures.
• Manage and facilitate planning and execution of supporting capability and training exercise programmes for the Transport and Emergency Arrangements capabilities.
• Interface with UK Trials Programme, CEA/FR and UK MoD, to ensure future transport requirements are clearly understood, scheduled, and planned.
• Packaging/container requirements and certification status and Transport approval requirements are understood and accommodated within current UK/ FR Transport and Regulator agreements and managed accordingly.
• Consignment and transport arrangements for the repatriation of Dangerous Goods are agreed.
• The development and provision, through Table Top and Field Training Exercises of Joint UK/FR Off-Site Post Emergency Recovery Arrangements.
• That modes of Transport, Routes & Provider options for DU & PU are agreed and implemented.
• Engagement with transport providers and Nuclear Regulators to define requirements, including BEIS and wider MoD users for used vessel repatriation, including the development and agreement for all operational plans and transport arrangements in France.
• That briefings and presentations to senior staff up to and including Director General NuC are actioned to time.
• Maintenance of links at all levels with agencies as appropriate, including, but not limited to: Various FR/UK MoD Departments, and British Embassy staff in Paris.

This job role is suitable for hybrid working for up to 20% of the time. This is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. It can take several months for clearance to come through.