Programme Governance and Reporting Manager

Company Description

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is at the forefront of developing fusion sustainable energy.  Through the design and delivery of STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040.

UKIFS will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.

UKIFS employees can be based at either of our sites; West Burton, Nottinghamshire or Culham, Oxfordshire, however, this role will primarily be based at Culham, due to the current locations of key stakeholders and related services. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week; however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.

Job Description

As an employee of UKIFS 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.
• 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 equality and being fully inclusive.

Please note this role will close on the 25th of September.

The salary for this role is £70,505 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance), and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week. 

The Role:

As Programme Governance and Reporting Lead, you will operate at a senior level to shape, lead, and embed a best-in-class programme governance and reporting infrastructure across the STEP programme - a multi-billion-pound, high-complexity, multi-partner initiative at the forefront of infrastructure and energy innovation. 

Working at the intersection of strategy, delivery, assurance, and governance, you will be responsible for developing and implementing robust programme governance structures, board management processes, and a strategic reporting framework that enables confident, evidence-based decision-making at the highest levels. Your work will go far beyond data production - transforming information into insight and fostering a high-performance, outcomes-focused culture. 

You will lead a small team and collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders - including UKIFS Executives, Government partners (e.g., DESNZ, NISTA), UKAEA, and Industry Partners - to ensure governance and performance reporting aligns with organisational objectives and meets the needs of diverse audiences. 

To succeed in this role, you will bring a confident blend of technical capability, strategic thinking, and interpersonal influence. You’ll be comfortable engaging at executive and board levels, challenging constructively, and driving continuous improvement in how performance is measured, reported, and acted upon - helping to guide one of the most ambitious infrastructure and energy projects of our time. 

You will thrive in complexity, drawing on a deep understanding of organisational systems and interdependencies to navigate ambiguity, resolve challenges, and shape solutions that are both analytically rigorous and creatively conceived. Your ability to integrate perspectives across business functions and time horizons will be key to ensuring STEP’s governance and reporting infrastructure supports not just delivery, but long-term strategic success.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Programme Governance Framework & Leadership: 

• Architect and continuously evolve a robust, future-facing governance framework that underpins STEP’s strategic objectives, delivery model, and risk appetite. 
• Lead the orchestration of STEP Board and Subcommittee governance, ensuring alignment with national priorities, programme milestones, and cross-organisational interdependencies. 
• Lead the governance and reporting for the Full Business Case, ensuring robust oversight, strategic alignment, and high-quality assurance across all decision-making forums. 
• Provide authoritative assurance to the Executive and Board that programme governance arrangements are not only compliant but actively enabling strategic decision-making, risk mitigation, and delivery confidence across a multi-billion-pound programme. 
• Apply structured, principle-based reasoning to resolve complex governance challenges, ensuring solutions are grounded in a deep conceptual understanding of programme dynamics and stakeholder needs. 

Reporting Strategy, Insight & Decision:

• Own and drive the development of a strategic, enterprise-level reporting and insight framework that integrates business planning, delivery performance, risk, and benefits realisation. 
• Define and embed a suite of KPIs, metrics, and performance indicators that enable predictive insight, strategic foresight, and real-time assurance. 
• Lead the production of high-impact dashboards, analytical briefings, and performance narratives for Executive, Board, and Ministerial audiences - ensuring outputs are timely, trusted, and decision-ready. 
• Lead the collation and synthesis of information across all programme areas to develop the Full Business Case, ensuring reporting outputs are comprehensive, coherent, and strategically aligned 
• Leverage data trends, scenario modelling, and conceptual analysis to inform long-term planning, investment decisions, and strategic interventions. 
• Ensure reporting frameworks support not just operational oversight but also strategic problem-solving and innovation across business functions. 

Leadership, Culture & Capability Development: 

• Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing governance and reporting function, setting the strategic direction and cultural tone for excellence, innovation, and accountability. 
• Actively mentor and develop talent across the organisation, embedding a culture of insight-led decision-making, continuous learning, and cross-functional collaboration. 
• Champion a shift from reactive reporting to proactive performance management, embedding governance and insight as core enablers of STEP’s mission. 
• Foster an environment where analytical and creative thinking are valued equally, encouraging teams to approach challenges from first principles and develop solutions that are both rigorous and imaginative. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Alignment:

• Act as a senior interface with UKAEA, DESNZ, NISTA, and industry partners to ensure governance and reporting frameworks are aligned, integrated, and responsive to evolving stakeholder expectations. 
• Influence and shape external governance and assurance requirements, ensuring STEP is positioned as a credible, transparent, and high-performing programme. 
• Translate complex governance and performance data into compelling, accessible narratives for diverse audiences - from technical experts to Ministers and public stakeholders. 
• Navigate multi-stakeholder environments with a systems-level understanding, integrating perspectives across disciplines to support coherent, long-term strategic alignment. 

Data Strategy, Systems & Integration: 

• Lead the development and implementation of a strategic data and reporting architecture that ensures data integrity, traceability, and interoperability across the programme. 
• Collaborate with IT, data owners, and delivery partners to embed enterprise-grade data governance, automation, and integration with wider programme management systems. 
• Oversee the design and evolution of dynamic, user-centric dashboards and reporting tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau), ensuring they are scalable, secure, and strategically aligned. 
• Ensure data systems support cross-functional insight generation and enable decision-making rooted in conceptual clarity and long-term business value. 

Assurance, Innovation & Continuous Improvement: 

• Lead cross-cutting initiatives to review, assure, and continuously improve governance and reporting standards, tools, and processes - ensuring they remain fit-for-purpose in a dynamic delivery environment. 
• Work in close partnership with risk, assurance, and programme teams to embed governance and reporting as core components of STEP’s integrated delivery and assurance model. 
• Proactively identify emerging risks, performance issues, and strategic opportunities - providing timely, evidence-based advice to the Executive and Board. 
• Encourage innovative approaches to assurance and reporting, combining analytical rigour with creative thinking to solve complex problems and unlock strategic value. 

Embody a Leadership Mindset: 

• You embody a leadership mindset and a set of leadership behaviours.  You embrace and embody our organisation's culture, values, and mission in all aspects of your work. 
• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values. 
• Create and support a culture of responsible innovation. 
• Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork. 
• Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organisation's values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients and stakeholders. 
• Lead by example, demonstrating The Seven Principles of Public Life - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals. 

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested. 

Qualifications

Essential: 

• A recognised degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. business, data, public policy, engineering, or similar). 
• A professional programme management qualification (e.g. MSP, MoP, PRINCE2, APM PMQ or equivalent). 
• Significant leadership experience in governance, board management, and strategic reporting within large-scale, complex, multi-stakeholder programme environments. 
• Proven ability to operate confidently at Board and Executive levels, shaping high-impact agendas and influencing strategic decision-making. 
• Strong track record in designing and implementing reporting frameworks, dashboards, and performance management systems. 
• Demonstrable experience in data analysis, business intelligence, and insight generation, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. 
• Proficiency in Power BI, Tableau, Excel, and other data management and visualisation tools. 
• Deep understanding of programme governance, public sector assurance frameworks (e.g. Treasury Green Book, NISTA), and reporting best practices. 
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience working across government, industry, and regulated sectors. 
• Demonstrable experience of building, leading, and developing high-performing teams. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence both technical and non-technical audiences. 

Beneficial: 

• Experience in major government programmes, infrastructure delivery, or science/technology-led environments (e.g. energy, R&D, aerospace, or defence). 
• Familiarity with Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, and sponsor department (e.g. DESNZ) governance, investment, and assurance processes. 
• Exposure to statistical analysis, predictive modelling, or advanced data analytics techniques. 
• Experience automating reporting workflows and optimising reporting tools for efficiency and impact. 
• Experience operating within or supporting a new or transitioning organisation (e.g. ALB, JV, start-up). 
• Knowledge of fusion, nuclear, or complex scientific/engineering programme.

Additional Information

For more information on UKIFS visit : https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly from women in STEM, ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and neurotypical individuals. Our Executive team, and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion 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.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open-source data.

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.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.