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.

Head of Delivery - Quality

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typically 3 days onsite per week.

Package: £105,000 - £115,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).

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.

Let us introduce the role

Reporting to the Director of Quality, you will set the strategic direction for AWE’s Core Quality function and ensure a robust and compliant Quality Management System (QMS)

You will lead a team of 23 Quality Professionals with a Learning from Experience (LFE) and Audit & Risk discipline ensuring they have the capability and capacity to deliver high‑quality, efficient services that meet customer needs and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Champion a strong quality culture across the business, acting as a role model and coach.

• Maintain and improve compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, ensuring certifications are sustained.

• Deliver the quality service portfolio, adapting to changing operational demands with agility and responsiveness.

• Use data and insight to identify trends, analyse performance, and drive continuous improvement.

• Ensure effective management systems are in place to support consistent, efficient quality delivery.

• Provide and manage competent resources, ensuring the right skills are available at the right time.

• Monitor and report performance, tracking trends and presenting updates at agreed intervals and forums.

• Demonstrate positive behaviours aligned with AWE’s environmental, sustainability, safety, health, security, quality and ethics standards.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Strong stakeholder and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust, challenge constructively and manage resources effectively.

• Strategic and Operations thinker able to develop and deliver plans from first principles, shaping direction with minimal guidance.

• Creative and innovative mindset, encouraging others to stretch their thinking, simplify processes and re‑imagine how quality services are delivered.

• Able to deliver practical, cost‑effective solutions that balance compliance, efficiency and customer needs.

• Proven leadership experience within ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 environments.

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.