Head of Contractual Assurance Delivery in London

Venesky-Brown Recruitment are looking for a Head of Contractual Assurance Delivery to join the Sizewell C project in Suffolk/London. This role is an initial 9-month contract based in the London office. Please read below for full details.

Job Purpose / Overview:

The purpose of the role is to develop robust assurance and compliance practices and processes to ensure that Sizewell C delivery spend is in line with the wide range of economic regulatory, contractual and legislative requirements that the company is under. This position is suited to a proven infrastructure regulatory assurance expert with demonstrable experience navigating complex regulatory environments and the credibility to operate confidently across all levels to C suite. This is a critical senior role, accountable for designing, implementing, and embedding an appropriate compliance/assurance framework required to operate effectively under Sizewell C’s funding arrangements including our Regulated Asset Base (RAB) licence requirements.

Assurance will be provided to the executive team through a clear ‘Three Lines of Defence’ model, with defined regulatory ownership, independent challenge, and internal audit oversight aligned to regulatory requirements, providing sustained confidence to the exec team. This role will initially be a contract role for 9 months (with the ability to extend), building capacity and capability to support the senior delivery leadership on site and the executive team. They will do this by scoping and bringing onboard processes and a small, centralised team to provide ‘second line of defence’ assurance for contract management, procurement and disposals.

Contextual Information:

Sizewell C is one of the largest Infrastructure projects in the UK, it is building the next Gigawatt scale nuclear power station, that will deliver energy security, as well as careers and opportunities for Suffolk and the rest of the UK. Prior to the government investment decision SZC operated as part of EDF in the Nuclear Development business unit and was staffed by EDF colleagues and independent contractors. The SZC construction programme has a technical and commercial business case predicated on technical replication of Hinkley Point C. However, Sizewell C is now a stand-alone company tasked by its shareholders with delivering a new nuclear power plant, from funding, to construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance and decommissioning. Crucial to the success of Sizewell C will be its funding model. SZC is the first nuclear power station that is being funded by the RAB model, alongside equity and debt. This means that alongside the shareholders' requirements and lenders' requirements, SZC also has to comply with a set of requirements set out in its ‘RAB’ licence. This framework of requirements is unique to SZC and so we cannot rely on existing processes or industry best practice to ensure compliance. Moreover, these requirements are ongoing and therefore will need to be considered throughout the lifecycle of the project and, in particular, the contracts and alliances that will underpin the construction.

Principal Accountabilities, Activities and Decisions:

• Establishment of Assurance processes: Gap analysis of the current contractual governance landscape - in particular where the end-to-end contracting does not align with any of the financing requirements.
• Establishment of processes and methodologies to track and assure contractual delivery is within requirements set out across:

• The RAB licence and Government Support Package
• The debt agreements with lenders
• The Shareholder agreements

The role will work with the rest of the Economic Regulatory team to support the Board and specifically the CFO and CEO in discharging their accountabilities to avoid ineligible spending and the effective use of public money. There will be ‘dotted line’ alignment to the delivery directors responsible for the areas of assurance.

Dimensions Financial:

A personnel budget for recruiting of support staff. A small scope budget for short term defined consultancy support.

Impact and Interdependencies:

The role is highly dependent on close working relationships with the delivery teams, finance, Commercial teams and the Civil Works Programme and Alliance and the MEH Alliance. The impact of this role is significant, not only does it help to protect the company from ineligible spend it also helps to ensure demonstrable value for money for energy bill payers who help to fund construction.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

Knowledge & Skills Essential:

• Making recommendations to senior management within operational/delivery areas.
• Regulated Asset Base (RAB) licence requirements.
• Knowledge of 3 lines of defence model.
• Risk Based Assurance models.
• Translating complex financing and regulatory requirements into operational practice.
• Regulatory understanding.
• Knowledge sharing/training.
• Process mapping.

Desirable:

• Financial understanding (IFRS & UK tax requirements).

Qualifications & Experience Essential:

• Demonstrable operational experience.
• Contract management.

Desirable:

• Construction or infrastructure project work.
• Experience of working within regulated frameworks such as the energy sector.
• Contracting best practice.
• Working with Government and regulators.

About Venesky-Brown Recruitment:

Venesky-Brown Recruitment are a UK-based Recruitment Agency, specialising in Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure, IT & Digital, and Professional Services. Established in 2005, we've evolved into industry leaders, driven by our mission to inspire and empower through meaningful employment. When you join us, you gain access to a stable, long-term career. We collaborate with Tier 1 clients on major infrastructure projects, offering growth opportunities and a clear career pathway. Our comprehensive Career Development Programs, from Level 2 Construction Operations to Level 6 Site Management, bridge skill gaps to benefit both you and our clients.