Reporting to the Director of Safety, Quality and Mission Assurance, you will provide strategic leadership and independent advice on all environmental and sustainability matters across UKFE and STEP.
As the organisation’s senior environmental advisor, you will work closely with the Executive Team, Programme Leadership Team and Board to ensure environmental protection, sustainability and stewardship are embedded into every aspect of decision-making, programme delivery and long-term business success.
You will lead the development of environmental strategy, governance and professional standards, whilst establishing a high-performing Environment & Sustainability function capable of supporting one of the UK’s most innovative and complex infrastructure programmes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Act as the UKFE Professional Head of Function for Environment & Sustainability.
- Define and deliver the environmental and sustainability vision, strategy and objectives for UKFE and STEP.
- Provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders, the Executive Team and Board.
- Lead environmental governance, assurance and professional standards across the organisation.
- Champion environmental stewardship and sustainability as key enablers of programme success.
Environmental Case & Regulatory Engagement
- Oversee the strategic approach to environmental consenting, permitting and environmental case development.
- Lead engagement with regulators, government departments and statutory stakeholders.
- Provide executive oversight for environmental contributions to Development Consent Orders, permits, licences and authorisations.
- Ensure environmental submissions and supporting evidence are robust, proportionate and able to withstand scrutiny.
- Build regulatory confidence through transparent, evidence-based engagement.
Sustainability & Environmental Performance
- Drive the integration of sustainability principles throughout design, engineering, construction, operations and future decommissioning activities.
- Lead organisational approaches to climate resilience, resource efficiency, circular economy and sustainable development.
- Identify emerging environmental risks, legislation and industry best practice.
- Establish meaningful environmental performance measures and drive continuous improvement.
Capability & Team Leadership
- Build, develop and lead a high-performing Environment & Sustainability function.
- Establish professional development pathways, competence frameworks and succession plans.
- Foster a collaborative culture focused on innovation, learning and excellence.
- Ensure effective integration with partners, contractors and delivery organisations.
External Leadership
- Represent UKFE and STEP at executive, industry, regulatory and government forums.
- Act as a visible ambassador for environmental sustainability within the fusion sector.
- Support the development of public, stakeholder and regulatory confidence in fusion energy.
About You
We are looking for a credible and influential environmental leader with significant experience operating at a senior strategic level within complex, regulated or major infrastructure environments.
You will bring:
- Extensive leadership experience in environmental management, sustainability or environmental regulation.
- Experience influencing executive teams, boards and senior stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of environmental legislation, permitting and regulatory frameworks.
- Proven experience developing and implementing environmental strategies within complex organisations.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
- Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams and building organisational capability.
- The ability to provide independent challenge, influence decision-making and navigate regulatory uncertainty.
- A passion for environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation.
Why Join UKFE?
This is an opportunity to shape the environmental legacy of a world-leading fusion energy programme. You will play a critical role in helping deliver clean energy for future generations while ensuring the highest standards of environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Join us and help define the future of fusion energy.
