Head of Assurance, Management Systems & Audit

# Head of Assurance, Management Systems & AuditNuclear Engineering Job DetailsLocationRetford, United KingdomEmployment TypeFull-timeSalary£86kLevelLeadershipPosted Company DescriptionThe UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) 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. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of 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 UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy 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 UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground-breaking journey. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week , however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.A full list of our benefits can be found hereFor more information on UKFE, visit:As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from: 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 and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment. 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 being fully inclusive The salary for this role is £86,758 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension . The closing date to apply for this position is the 4th May 2026 This UKFE vacancy will be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire Job DescriptionFusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high, confidence is increasing, and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century, fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally, as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion, a sector with an estimated value of £tns per year. STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK's flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experiencing in delivery. STEP is supported by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. UK Fusion Energy Ltd. (UKFE) Is a relatively new organisation established to focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a fusion supply chain. UKFE will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction, plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise. The Role: As Head of Assurance, Management Systems & Audit, you will provide strategic leadership and single point accountability for UKFE's end to end assurance framework.Reporting directly to the Director of Safety, Quality & Mission Assurance, you will own the Integrated Management System (IMS), lead the Internal Audit function, and oversee assurance across programmes, functions, and the supply chain. Your work will ensure UKFE operates with confidence inside its governance arrangements, regulatory obligations, and risk appetite - now and as the programme scales towards construction.You will act as a trusted, independent voice at Executive Board and Audit & Risk Committee level, translating complex assurance evidence into clear insight that supports critical decision making. What You'll Be Responsible For Enterprise Assurance Leadership Owning and evolving UKFE's Enterprise Assurance Strategy , integrating first, second, and third lines of defence Providing independent challenge where assurance coverage, depth, or resourcing is insufficient Anticipating future risk as the programme matures, partners onboard, and delivery models evolve Representing assurance maturity and systemic risk at Board, committee and sponsor level Integrated Management System (IMS) Acting as guardian and final authority on the IMS and its fitness for purpose Ensuring alignment with ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001 and nuclear regulatory expectations Integrating partner and supplier management systems as delivery models mature Balancing pace, cost, and control while maintaining regulatory confidence Internal Audit Leading a credible, independent, risk based Internal Audit function Setting multi year audit strategy aligned to enterprise risk, not cyclical coverage Escalating systemic control issues and behavioural risks when evidence demands it Ensuring audit insight directly informs executive and Board decisions Supply Chain & Intelligent Customer Assurance Providing assurance that UKFE discharges its Intelligent Customer responsibilities across complex, multi tier supply chains Integrating supply chain intelligence into enterprise risk and audit planning Supporting strategic conversations on supply chain resilience and long term capability Learning, Culture & Continuous Improvement Owning systemic learning and corrective action across the enterprise Driving root cause resolution rather than symptom level fixes Acting as an independent barometer of organisational and nuclear safety culture Championing digital assurance tools that improve insight while respecting professional judgement Qualifications What you'll need If you're a senior assurance leader who thrives on complexity, independence, and purpose - and you want your work to contribute to something truly transformational - we'd love to hear from you. Essential Skills and Experience: Significant experience in highly regulated, high hazard environments Senior leadership experience across assurance, audit, management systems or technical governance Strong understanding of Integrated Management Systems across quality, safety, environment and information security Expertise in risk based assurance and audit methodologies Ability to influence confidently at Executive, Board, regulator and sponsor level Degree in Engineering, Quality, Business, Law or a related discipline Desirable Experience: Experience in nuclear or similarly safety critical sectors Professional accreditation (e.g. CQI/IRCA Lead Auditor, CEng, MCQI, MCIPS) Experience applying digital solutions to assurance and governance Experience representing organisations to external auditors and government bodies Additional InformationWe welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality,