Job Description

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Operational Readiness and Transition (ORT) Group Leader

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: £ 87,000 to £97,000

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

As Operational Readiness and Transition (ORT) Group Leader, you will play an important role in enabling AWE’s major programmes and projects to achieve operational capability and transition successfully into service.

Let us introduce the role

This is a senior functional leadership role, responsible for shaping, driving and assuring AWE’s enterprise approach to operational readiness and transition. You will continue to develop and embed the ORT approach across the organisation, ensuring operational requirements are identified early, integrated throughout delivery lifecycles, and effectively realised at transition to operations.

You will lead the ORT Group, including AWE’s Operational Readiness Managers (ORMs), and act as AWE’s functional authority for operational readiness and transition. You will own and maintain the ORT Concept, Policy, Strategy, Plans and Tools — including the Operational Readiness Review (ORR) process — ensuring coherence across Business Units and enabling functions, and alignment with regulatory and corporate policy expectations.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on direction and assurance. You will oversee ORT‑related risks and issues, provide expert guidance to ORMs and senior stakeholders, and ensure consistent, high‑quality application of ORT across a complex programme and project portfolio.

Working closely with senior leaders, you will champion pan‑AWE integration, shape organisational performance, and drive continuous improvement in how operational capability is planned, delivered, commissioned and sustained.

This role requires a credible, confident leader with the judgement, technical insight and influence to strengthen operational readiness and transition capability across a demanding, highly regulated environment.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking an experienced, forward‑thinking leader to own and lead AWE’s ORT function as it continues to mature and embed within the AWE operating model.

You will operate confidently at senior levels, influence across diverse stakeholder groups, and lead a high‑performing team within a complex programme, project and operational context.

You will bring strong practical delivery experience from a programme, project, capability management or operational background, with the ability to:

• Understand operational requirements in their broadest sense
• Integrate them effectively into delivery lifecycles
• Maintain a consistent focus on transition into service

Your experience will demonstrate sound judgement, the ability to interpret complex and technical information, and the confidence to make, challenge and inform decisions that improve delivery outcomes.

You will be an engaging and collaborative leader, able to work effectively across Business Units, other Users and enabling functions, and to build productive relationships with external partners and communities of practice. You will be an accomplished communicator, credible advisor, and trusted leader of ORMs operating across the enterprise.

You will be able to assimilate the breadth and scale of AWE’s portfolio, plan and prioritise ORT support accordingly, shape doctrine, policy and process, and provide clear direction and assurance to ORMs working at the front line of delivery.

If you thrive in complexity, enjoy working across organisational boundaries, and are motivated by improving how capability is delivered safely and effectively into service, this role offers a unique and rewarding leadership challenge.

We would like you to bring experience of:

• Operational Readiness planning and delivery, and/or Transition into Service
• Programme, Project or Capability Management in complex delivery environments
• Understanding of operational readiness drivers and the ability to provide credible insight that supports high‑quality decision‑making
• Strong, confident leadership — capable of influencing at senior levels and guiding multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to build effective cross‑functional relationships
• Experience operating in environments undergoing change and transformation
• A proven track record of driving delivery, improving performance, and leading people through change
• Clear, confident communication skills — verbal and written
• The ability to absorb and assimilate unfamiliar technical information
• Financial and commercial awareness
• A professional programme, project management or related qualification, or a clear commitment to achieving one
• Familiarity with IPA (NISTA) expectations and recognised guidance such as MSP and APM standards

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Next steps:

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.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

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.