Group Leader - Trials and Testing

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?

For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK's ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.

It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?

AWE is currently recruiting for a Group Leader to join our Trials and Test team based in the UK and France. The successful candidate will be part of the leadership team contributing to and implementing the business strategy whilst leading a group of multi-disciplinary, technical teams.

Location: South East, UK & France

Salary: £55,450 - £85,000 (dependent on skills and experience)

AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) offers an attractive array of benefits which include:

• Market leading contributory pension scheme

• Generous holiday entitlement 270 hours a year (inclusive of Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off

• Flexible working hours

• Salary sacrifice scheme

• Consideration for either full time or part time hours. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time

• Relocation available (Terms and Conditions apply)

We are looking for an experienced leader to provide effective guidance for the Trials and Testing sub-function. To do this, the successful candidate will have a proven track record leading and developing a team to ensure a balanced technical capability against current and future business requirements.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Accountable for leading, coaching & developing a team of leaders and influencing others at specialism or functional level to create & deliver our operational plans. This includes assessing performance, measured against agreed personal objectives and accountabilities, and taking corrective action to improve performance where necessary via appropriate management interventions

• Engage, motivate and encourage performance of the Group and the employees within it

• Contribute to the technical direction of the Group and have input into the current and future strategy

• Develop national and international recognition for AWE to leverage opportunities in collaboration with stakeholders, further enhance scientific and technical reputation and provide confidence to customers

• Exercise financial awareness to ensure the costs are optimised to provide value and seek opportunities to make savings

• Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security and quality and be a great team player

• The Company may require you to fulfil any other reasonable duties aligned to your position from time to time in line with business needs.

Within this role, you will be the main point of contact for all communication for staff at our facilities in France and will be responsible for linking back to all AWE Teams that deploy staff there. Part of this role will require you to work with HR and Recruitment to smoothly maintain and recruit the correct people capabilities in France.

Whilst not considered a checklist, candidates would benefit from the following:

• Knowledge of teamworking skills

• Experience of strategic and tactical planning

• Awareness or experience of engineering trials

• Proven experience with decision making and problem-solving abilities

• Interpersonal, negotiation and organisational skills

• Experience of managing multi-disciplinary technical teams and programmes

• Proven track record of driving delivery, performance and continuous improvement

• Leading people through transformation and change

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas. The role will require travel to our facilities in France on a regular basis and candidates must be willing to do so.

AWE plays a crucial role in the defence of the United Kingdom, by providing and maintaining the warheads for the country's nuclear deterrent. We are a centre of scientific, engineering and technological excellence, with some of the most advanced research, design and production facilities in the world. Our unique expertise also assists the UK Government in developing and delivering a range of innovative and integrated support services, including national nuclear security and counter-terrorism solutions.

AWE is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community which are currently under-represented at AWE, including women, BAME and people with disabilities.