Organisation: Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Sponsor department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Role: Nuclear Waste Services Chair of the Board
Location: Board meetings are generally held in Cumbria and the surrounding region, and the Chair will be expected to spend significant time at the NWS sites.
Remuneration: Competitive
Time Commitment: 5 days per month
Introduction
Nuclear Waste Services
As a wholly owned subsidiary of the NDA and a major constituent of the NDA group, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) are specialists in the treatment and disposal of nuclear waste and offer a full range of skills and solutions across preparation and planning, treatment and packaging, and disposal. Created in January 2022, NWS brought together the expertise of LLW Repository Ltd, Radioactive Waste Management Ltd, and the NDA group’s Integrated Waste Management Programme.
The NWS Board sets the framework and direction for NWS operations, in alignment with the NDA’s strategy, the delivery of the NDA group’s mission, the broader requirements of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and His Majesty’s Government (HMG).
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group is an executive non-departmental public body within DESNZ, tasked, by HMG to sustainably, safely and securely decommission the nation’s oldest nuclear sites. The UK is a pioneer of nuclear power, with electricity generated for homes and businesses since the 1950s. Our 17 sites are part of this legacy and include the first fleet of nuclear power stations as well as research sites, fuel-related plants and waste handling and disposal facilities.
The Role
The NDA is seeking to appoint a new Chair to lead the NWS Board. The Chair will act as a key interlocutor between the organisation and the NDA group. They will be tasked with setting the expectation and pace for change and improvement, representing the organisation to NDA stakeholders, suppliers, HMG, regulators and the communities in which the NDA operates. They will also provide challenge and support to the senior leaders across NWS.
The new Chair will ensure the highest standards of corporate governance as well as promoting strong corporate values and high standards of individual and organisational behaviour, in lockstep with the development of a high-performance culture.
In addition to performing the core role of a Chair, we are seeking candidates with expertise in the delivery of complex, high risk, high spend programmes to offer insight into the ongoing operational excellence of the business.
The ideal candidate will be a recognised leader and non-executive with an in-depth understanding of operating within a similarly complex group and stakeholder structure, capable of heading up a board in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
They will evidence substantive relevant career experience having operated at both CEO/executive committee and non-executive levels within complex, asset-intensive delivery environments, across the industrial sector. A solid grasp of Board imperatives including governance, performance management dynamics, team development and committees is crucial.
While nuclear experience is not necessary; an understanding of safety-critical or high-hazard operational environments is important.
The NDA group value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included, and able to perform at their best. At the NDA we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive.
We value the diversity of our people and actively seek to have a workforce that represents the rich diversity of the communities we support. Currently, we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates who have a disability.
We are a member of the disability confident scheme, when requested we will make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and we guarantee to interview all candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
We are happy to discuss flexible working. We will also make workplace adjustments for disabled employees if these are needed to help them perform at their best in the role, and we are happy to discuss this once a job offer has been made
To apply:
To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process by no later than 5pm Monday 13th May 2024. All applications must be submitted by clicking Apply.
If you would like a confidential discussion about the role, please contact our recruitment advisers at GatenbySanderson:
Rosanne Sarratt
Principal Researcher – Central Government & Regulatory
rosanne.sarratt@gatenbysanderson.com
Tracy Wicik
Delivery Consultant, Central Government
tracy.wicik@gatenbysanderson.com
Darra Power-Mooney
Principal Consultant, Central Government
darra.power-mooney@gatenbysanderson.com
