At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality delivery for a major nuclear construction programme and manage a team of quality professionals.
- Company: Shirley Parsons Consultancy & Advisory, experts in nuclear infrastructure and major projects.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model with European travel opportunities and competitive salary.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and quality excellence.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on critical projects while ensuring safety and compliance.
- Qualifications: Extensive quality leadership experience in regulated industries and strong stakeholder management skills.
Location
London or Bristol / Hybrid with European travel
Sector
Nuclear Infrastructure & Major Projects
About Shirley Parsons
Shirley Parsons Consultancy & Advisory is a specialist consultancy supporting some of the UK's most complex infrastructure, energy, defence and nuclear programmes. We partner with clients to provide expert leadership, technical assurance and quality management capability, helping organisations deliver critical projects safely, compliantly and successfully.
We are currently supporting a major UK nuclear new-build programme and are seeking an experienced Head of Quality to lead quality delivery at Sizewell C.
The Opportunity
As Head of Quality, you will provide strategic leadership for quality across a major nuclear construction programme. Leading a team of approximately 25–30 quality professionals. You will ensure quality requirements are embedded throughout programme delivery and that work is delivered safely, compliantly and right first time.
A key focus of the role will be the management of a critical European supplier whose products and services are fundamental to project success. This organisation requires strong stakeholder management, effective challenge and regular engagement at senior levels, including travel to Europe for approximately one week per month.
This opportunity is ideally suited to an experienced Head of Quality, Quality Director, Programme Quality Manager or Senior Quality Leader from a highly regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the quality function across a major nuclear construction programme.
- Manage and develop three Quality Delivery Managers and their teams.
- Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and project quality requirements.
- Identify, manage and mitigate quality risks to programme delivery.
- Monitor and report quality performance to programme leadership.
- Lead audits, assurance activities, governance reviews and corrective actions.
- Act as the senior quality advisor to programme stakeholders.
- Manage a strategic European supplier, driving quality, performance and delivery outcomes.
- Support supplier evaluations, procurement activities and contract reviews.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, quality excellence and nuclear safety.
Experience
- Significant quality leadership experience within a highly regulated industry.
- Proven experience leading quality teams on major projects or programmes.
- Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management systems.
- Experience managing complex supplier relationships and supply chains.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Ability to operate effectively within a matrix organisation.
- Willingness to travel regularly within Europe.
- Experience within nuclear, defence, energy or major infrastructure projects.
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Quality Management or a related discipline.
- Chartered or professionally affiliated status.
About You
You are a credible and resilient leader who can influence at all levels, manage challenging stakeholders and drive quality performance across complex programmes. You combine strategic thinking with practical delivery and are passionate about achieving high-quality outcomes in highly regulated environments.
Head of Quality in Bristol employer: Shirley Parsons
Shirley Parsons is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises health, safety, and wellbeing in the vibrant city of London. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that fosters professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and leadership development, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
