Head of Programme and Project Controls - UKIFS

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

This role requires employees to be eligible for SC Clearance (must have resided in the UK for the last 5 years)  including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

This role will be based at; Abingdon Oxford and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

Please note this role will close on 10th Oct 2025

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference on a global scale Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy as Head of Programme and Project Controls in the field of fusion energy.

In this role youll lead the development and implementation of program and project controls within UKIFS and a collaborative major program. Your responsibilities include driving best practices ensuring compliance with standards and enhancing overall program success. Collaborating with key stakeholders youll manage a team of project professionals to ensure effective delivery of scope schedule cost risk and dependencies. Working closely with senior leaders youll contribute to the efficient establishment and delivery of the program.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and guidance to team members and stakeholders aligning with CEO and Chairs intent and organizational values.
• Lead and develop a team of project professionals ensuring their growth engagement and performance.
• Act as an ambassador for STEP offering visible thought leadership and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders including the UK Government Project Delivery Profession and Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA).
• Offer strategic advice actively contribute to governance boards and play a key role in establishing STEP as a well-founded major program within the Senior Leadership Team.

Qualifications :

Essential Requirements:

• Effective leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high performing teams and engender confidence in stakeholders.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional qualifications (for example only Chartered Project Professional PRINCE2 Managing Successful Programmes) and membership of associated professional bodies (for example the Association for Project Management).
• Exceptional understanding of project and programme management methodologies and controls and the ability to adapt and apply the most suitable.
• Thorough knowledge of risk management cost control and quality assurance.

Additional Information :

A full list of our benefits can be found here welcome applications from under-represented groups particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds people with disabilities and women. Our Executive team supported by our Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

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

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:  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.