Programme Secretariat & Reporting Lead in Retford

Company Description

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKFE) 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 the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme, we aim to build a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UKFE will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, though we actively support requests for flexible working. The salary for this role is £51,317. The closing date to apply for this position is the 5th of May. This vacancy is based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Benefits

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 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 full inclusion.

Job Description

Join one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes and play a central role in shaping its governance and strategic decision‑making. As Programme Secretariat and Reporting Lead, you’ll be at the heart of the STEP Programme’s governance ecosystem, acting as the key interface between STEP and the UKIFS Executive Office. This high‑profile role demands exceptional judgement, discretion, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across government, industry, and academia.

What You’ll Be Doing

• You’ll lead the coordination of governance operations, ensuring STEP’s decision‑making forums are strategically aligned and professionally executed. From Board and Executive meetings to programme‑level governance, you’ll ensure these forums deliver real value, accountability, and assurance.
• Working closely with the Head of Programme Governance and Reporting and the UKIFS Executive Office Lead, you’ll help define and uphold the standards that underpin effective governance across a complex, multi‑partner environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Governance & Executive Interface
  • Lead governance operations across STEP, aligning programme forums with UKIFS Executive and Board structures.
  • Act as the primary liaison with the Executive Office, ensuring governance cycles and reporting rhythms are integrated and strategic.
  • Provide expert secretariat support to the STEP Board, subcommittees, and strategic groups.
• Reporting Leadership
  • Own the delivery of high‑quality reporting products that inform senior decision‑making.
  • Ensure outputs are accurate, timely, and strategically aligned to support risk management and performance oversight.
  • Shape reporting standards and drive continuous improvement in how insights are communicated.
• Secretariat Excellence
  • Draft and assure minutes, decision records, and action logs for senior meetings.
  • Maintain governance registers and decision‑tracking systems to ensure accountability and audit readiness.
• Governance Assurance & Optimisation
  • Lead initiatives to improve governance processes, templates, and standards.
  • Support internal and external assurance reviews and promote best practice across the programme.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across UKFE, UKAEA, DESNZ, NISTA, and industry partners.
  • Coordinate briefing materials for external stakeholders, including ministers and senior officials.
  • Translate complex information into clear, decision‑ready outputs for diverse audiences.
• Leadership & Culture
  • Embody a leadership mindset and uphold the organisation’s values and mission.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive team culture and promote responsible innovation.
  • Demonstrate the Seven Principles of Public Life in all aspects of your work.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in governance, reporting, or executive‑level coordination within complex programmes.
• Strong strategic awareness and the ability to manage sensitive information flows.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• A commitment to high standards, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Essential
  • Degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent experience).
  • Proven experience providing high‑quality secretariat or governance support in a complex programme, corporate, or public sector environment.
  • Strong understanding of formal governance structures, decision‑making processes, and assurance mechanisms.
  • Exceptional organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple high‑stakes forums simultaneously.
  • Excellent written communication skills, with a track record of producing clear, concise, and accurate minutes, reports, and decision records.
  • Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to operate with credibility and influence at senior levels.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), with experience using SharePoint or similar collaboration platforms.
• Beneficial
  • Experience in infrastructure, energy, public sector, or R&D environments.
  • Familiarity with government governance and reporting frameworks, including Cabinet Office and sponsor department protocols.
  • Experience supporting board‑level or multi‑partner decision‑making forums.
  • Exposure to business intelligence or programme reporting tools (e.g. Power BI).
  • A relevant qualification in business administration, programme governance, or secretariat practice (e.g. ICSA, APMG P3O, APM PFQ/PMQ).

Additional Information

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