Programme Manager

Description:

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to take overall responsibility for the leadership, coordination, and delivery of a major nuclear and civils programme based in Whitehaven. The role has accountability across multiple projects and workstreams, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient delivery in line with nuclear regulatory requirements, client objectives, and long‑term programme outcomes.

The Programme Manager will provide strategic oversight across design, construction, commercial, planning, risk, and stakeholder functions, acting as a senior leader within a highly regulated, safety‑critical environment.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership & Governance

Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of the nuclear and civils programme, ensuring alignment with client, regulatory, and organisational objectives

Establish and maintain robust programme governance, controls, and reporting structures

Provide visible leadership across the programme, promoting a strong safety, quality, and compliance culture

Delivery & Performance Management

Oversee multiple projects and packages, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, cost, quality, and schedule

Monitor programme performance, identifying and addressing risks, issues, and interdependencies

Ensure effective integration between design, construction, logistics, commissioning, and handover activities

Nuclear Safety, Compliance & Assurance

Ensure programme activities comply with nuclear site licence conditions, UK legislation, and client standards

Support nuclear safety case delivery and assurance processes

Lead engagement with audits, assurance reviews, and regulatory scrutiny at programme level

Commercial, Risk & Controls

Provide strategic oversight of programme budgets, forecasting, and commercial performance

Ensure effective risk and opportunity management across the programme

Support change control and decision‑making at programme and senior leadership level

Stakeholder & Client Management

Act as a senior interface with the client, regulators, and key stakeholders

Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external partners

Provide clear, accurate programme updates to senior leadership and client representatives

Team Leadership & Development

Lead and develop multi‑disciplinary teams across project and programme functions

Support succession planning and capability development within the programme team

Foster a collaborative, high‑performance working environment

Skills & Experience

Essential

Proven experience as a Programme Manager or Senior Project Manager on major infrastructure or civils programmes

Experience working in highly regulated environments, ideally nuclear or equivalent safety‑critical sectors

Strong understanding of programme governance, controls, and reporting

Experience managing complex interfaces across multiple projects and stakeholders

Excellent leadership, communication, and decision‑making skills

Eligible for UK security clearance

Desirable

Previous experience on nuclear‑licensed sites or nuclear infrastructure programmes

Experience managing programmes delivered under NEC or similar contracts

Strong background in civils, infrastructure, or engineering‑led delivery

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent experience in engineering, construction, or project management

Desirable

APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent programme/project management qualification

Chartered status or working towards chartership

Personal Attributes

Strategic thinker with strong delivery focus

Credible and confident at senior leadership and client level

Calm and decisive under pressure

Committed to safety, quality, and long‑term programme succe

Secutiry clearance will be required