Operational Delivery Lead
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: £61,670 - £80,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight.
Let us introduce the role
AWE is currently recruiting for an Operational Delivery Lead for the Operations Group to provide leadership and supervision of operations delivery and support team.
The Operational Delivery Lead is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of operational outputs—such as production and trials—within the Business Unit. Acting as the key point of escalation, this role makes critical prioritisation decisions to achieve the efficient delivery of the order book to time, cost and quality, in full compliance with AWE ESH and Security requirements. The position requires strong coordination across functions and a focus on continuous improvement, driving operational excellence and embedding best practices throughout the organisation.
In addition to overseeing day-to-day operational delivery, the role involves leading and developing a large, diverse and high performing team, ensuring resources are effectively managed and suitably qualified. The Operational Delivery Lead will analyse performance data, identify trends, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and capability. Building positive stakeholder relationships, including with international partners, and fostering a culture of agility and resilience are key to success.
This role is ideally suited to a candidate that has a proactive attitude towards safety, continuous improvements, problem solving and ability to adapt to changing team and delivery demands.
Please note that this is an on site based role rather than hybrid.
We do need you to have the following:
Leadership & Team Management; Proven experience leading large, diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, with the ability to coach, develop and retain talent. Demonstrable experience of leading through change and delivering results through others.
Operational & Delivery Leadership Experience; Significant experience leading operational delivery within a complex environment, with responsibility for prioritisation, resource management and performance outcomes. For external candidates, this is likely to include Production Management experience within a manufacturing, operational or regulated setting. For internal candidates, comparable experience in Operational Delivery, Project Delivery or Programme Delivery leadership roles will also be considered.
Production and Operational Management; Proven track record of managing operational outputs and delivering against customer, business and performance requirements. Experience of balancing safety, quality, cost, delivery and people objectives within a complex organisation.
Operational Expertise; Demonstrable experience managing complex delivery operations (e.g. production outputs, trials, programmes or major projects). Skilled in interpreting operational performance data and making timely, risk-based decisions.
Skills; Ability to manage a wide portfolio of complex, interrelated activities, strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, effective communication and stakeholder management, agility and resilience in changing circumstances.
Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:
You’ll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.
Accountable for managing, leading, coaching and developing a large and diverse / multi-disciplinary team and holding them accountable for the engagement, development, performance and retention of their teams.
Work, on behalf of the Head of Operations, to achieve the safe delivery of operational task outputs (e.g. production outputs / trials delivery) aligned to the Business Unit order book, acting as the escalation point for key tactical decisions and ensuring seamless coordination and execution of these tasks in line with SQCDP (safety, quality, cost, delivery and people).
Accountable for effective resource management of operations delivery staff within the Business Unit (e.g. apprentices, operatives, technicians, team leaders) ensuring that resources are SQEP (suitably qualified experienced person) as required and allocated effectively to meet operational demands.
Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:
AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:
The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.
Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
