Operations Director

Your role

Responsible to: Key Account Director, Sellafield

• Project/Operational Leadership: Provide strategic and day-to-day operational leadership in respect of our major decommissioning projects, ensuring delivery to time, budget, and to the highest safety and quality standards:
  • Direct project teams to define key deliverables, milestones, and performance indicators, using established project management methodologies.
  • Oversee, plan, direct, deliver, and close out multiple projects within large and complex decommissioning and remediation programmes, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
  • Oversee and direct high-performing multi-disciplinary project teams, promoting collaboration, accountability, integrated design and delivery, and a continuous improvement, innovative and development culture.
• Project Delivery Oversight:
  • Oversee the planning, scheduling, and execution of large, complex decommissioning projects.
  • Develop and implement robust risk mitigation strategies, governance and compliance requirements, to ensure delivery success.
• Resource and Performance Management:
  • Monitor resource and performance metrics, and implement corrective actions to achieve operational and project targets.
• Financial and Commercial Accountability:
  • Manage budgets, control costs, and ensure financial performance of larger projects aligns with business focus areas.
  • Understand and operate commercial models for mutual and successful gain.
  • Oversee and manage project budgets and forecasts, ensuring cost efficiency without compromising safety or quality.
  • Submit comprehensive reports (monthly or as necessary) to internal and external stakeholders detailing financial and operational performance to stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Build strong relationships with clients, regulators, partners, suppliers and internal teams.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for operational matters in respect of larger projects and ensure client satisfaction, leading negotiations and taking appropriate improvement action, where appropriate.
  • Be highly proactive in stakeholder engagement and in enhancing the reputation of our business.
  • Advocate for business interests in industry forums, promoting best practices and innovation.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Drive operational/project efficiency through process improvements, innovation in delivery methods, and lessons learned from completed projects.
• Team Development
  • Collaborate with other senior managers to contribute to workforce planning, succession planning, and development of early careers.
  • Sponsor comprehensive training and talent programmes, ensuring staff are proficient in nuclear decommissioning standards, safety protocols, and compliance.
  • Provide mentorship and succession planning to cultivate emerging leadership and project delivery talent.
  • Actively recognize and celebrate professional and team achievements to reward and motivate.
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance:
  • Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, and high performance.
  • Conduct adherence to industry safety standards and regulatory frameworks for nuclear decommissioning.
  • Conduct regular risk assessments, audits, and corrective action planning to minimize hazards.
  • Maintain direct engagement with client and regulatory bodies to facilitate inspections, audits, and approvals.
  • Proactively monitor and implement evolving regulations to ensure continuous compliance.
• Governance & Compliance:
  • Establish robust governance structures to enhance decision-making and risk management.
  • Ensure execution of proper documentation, reporting, and compliance with internal, JV and client requirements.
  • Facilitate senior governance meetings, providing insights on project status, risks, and improvement areas.
• Driving Growth, Sustainability & Innovation:
  • Foster and promote an operational and delivery culture of excellence, innovation and sustainability, encouraging the use of emerging technologies and methodologies to drive and achieve project optimisation, sustainable practices and growth, inspiring others and leading by example.
  • Secure follow-on programmes and projects as a result of strong delivery success.
  • Identify, pursue and oversee the delivery of value propositions and growth opportunities.