Group Leader Engineering - Non Nuclear Components

At AWE, our Warhead Engineering group is currently recruiting for an exciting leadership role. This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic leader to be part of an influential team of leaders, driving forward significant developments and changes across Warhead and our One Engineering Function, collectively.

The successful candidate would lead multi-disciplinary technical teams (100+ people), including Technical Team Leaders, ensuring our people are empowered to excel, and our delivery to the core programmes are second to none.

Group Leader Engineering (Head of Department) - Non-Nuclear Components

Closing date: 1st September 2024

Location: Reading Area

Salary: Competitive Package that reflects the Senior Leadership responsibilities of the role.

As Group Leader (Senior Leader & Head of Department), you will lead and manage a diverse department of multi-disciplinary, technical teams; implementing the engineering strategy and providing effective direction as the main contact point for all team leaders and the senior contact point for all team members.

The role will require extensive stakeholder engagement with both internal and external customers and the successful candidate will need the ability to sustain and enhance the department's technical capability to meet programme demand.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to a team with diverse skills and experience and build high performing teams associated with distinctive technical areas

• Accountable for leading, coaching & developing a team of leaders and influencing others at engineering specialism or functional level to create & deliver our operational plans, including mentoring and career development of staff

• Create a positive, collaborative and diverse working environment where talent can be easily identified and grown whilst increasing the quality and efficiency of knowledge transfer

• Provision of the relevant programme aligned services and capabilities for the department

• Engage, motivate, and encourage performance of the department and the people within it

• Assessing team leader performance, measured against agreed personal objectives and accountabilities, and taking corrective action to improve performance where necessary via appropriate management interventions

• Set the technical direction, appropriate to the department and input into the current and future sub-function strategy. This includes delivering a holistic engineering resourcing strategy (operational and strategic) across AWE and our supply chain that improves efficiency, effectiveness, and quality

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

• Engage and inspire colleagues, promoting a diverse & inclusive environment that encourages them to seek opportunities for continuous improvement and personal development

• Accountable for ensuring the department remains compliant with all Licence Conditions and SQEP requirements; and provide regulatory interfaces to ensure requirements are met

• Act as an ambassador for AWE demonstrating exceptional (top) interpersonal, engagement and presentation skills

This opportunity comes at a pivotal time, with the chance to impact the future direction of AWE through exciting technical projects. The successful leader shall set a precedent and a role model for the resilience and passion needed throughout AWE and Engineering to inspire an exceptionally talented and growing workforce. This role may involve substantial and proactive engagement with National and US colleagues/associates at all levels and the encouragement of collaborative working throughout (and across) the teams.

Key Skills, Qualifications, Experience, for the role:

• Degree in STEM discipline, equivalent NQF level 6 qualification or equivalent experience

• Chartered professional status in an appropriate professional institution (Desirable)

• Proven track record of driving delivery, continuous improvement and sustained performance focusing on the engineering strategy, technical direction and overall capability including people, process & technology

• Experience of managing high performing and multidisciplinary technical teams and programmes both within engineering and across the business

• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and organisational skills

• Ability to lead people through transformation and change

• Lead by example with regards to positive behaviours and safety culture

• External collaboration and raising the profile of the Company

• Financial awareness and management of budgets

• Competent in the use of IT including standard office software and Engineering tools and applications

• Knowledge of the external marketplace and development outside of AWE and its influence and impact on the Programme, innovation, and creativity

• Understanding of the Technical Programme and its deliverables, drivers, and barriers

• Excellent decision making and problem-solving abilities

• Understanding Compliance with LC/AC/ADAC, legislation

• Champion ED&I, promoting diversity of and innovation in thought and approach

All candidates must be willing, if able, to undertake UK and overseas travel and obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. Applications from candidates wishing to work full or part time will be considered.

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