Head of Programme Costings

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As Head of Programme Costing, you will play a pivotal role to oversee all aspects of programme and project costing for UKIFS's major fusion initiative. In this crucial role, you will manage cost estimation, budgeting, and project and programme cost tracking, working closely with various teams to enhance cost consciousness, cost estimation and wider financial practices and inform senior management. Your contributions will be vital to instilling cost awareness, understanding and gaining support for longer-term costs and achieving cost and wider financial targets, influencing key program decisions with cost insights. Reporting to the Head of Programme and Project Controls, and with technical ties to the Director Engineering Programme and the Finance Director, you will also be a key figure in the senior leadership team. If you're driven to
shape our programme's future and meet its financial goals, join us and make a significant impact.

Additional Responsibilities:

Leadership and Engagement:

- Lead and guide team members and stakeholders in alignment with organisational values and objectives.
- Manage a growing team of cost professionals, providing training and support for their professional development.
- Act as an ambassador for the organisation, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.

Strategic Advice and Support:

- Offer strategic advice to senior management on achieving cost targets and improving cost efficiency.
- Support various departments in cost analysis and optimisation efforts.
- Develop strategic costing plans and scenarios to guide decision-making processes.

Organisational Effectiveness:

- Conduct detailed technical cost estimation across the program and its constituent projects.
- Establish processes for regular cost baseline review and integration with financial planning.
- Collaborate with procurement teams to ensure cost-effective supplier relationships.

Project Delivery:

- Collaborate with stakeholders to develop comprehensive project cost estimates.
- Maintain project budgets, monitor spending, and identify variances for corrective action.
- Mitigate financial risks and present cost reports to senior management regularly.

Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to inspire teams and build stakeholder confidence.
- Strong communication skills, adept in both written and verbal exchanges.
- Independent worker with the capability to effectively collaborate in a team setting; equipped with substantial program costing experience and professional qualifications.
- Solid financial acumen with expertise in budgeting, cost control, and advanced cost management methodologies.
- Committed to ethical business practices, with a high level of integrity and excellent problem-solving abilities.

Desirable Requirement:

- Experience working in both public and private sectors.
- Understanding of government and/or business financial planning, including spending reviews, Treasury Business Cases and Resource Account Budgeting.
- Experience working across major projects and programmes that have a collaborative multi-organisational character.
- Proficiency in financial software and tools (e.g., ERP systems, Excel, cost management software).

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) protype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with the industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this groundbreaking journey.

Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- 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 being fully inclusive.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.