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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.

ASTRAEA Delivery Lead - Programme Manager

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke.

Package: £90,000 - £120,000 – will depend on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience. Package will also include a discretionary performance related bonus + £2,520 credit in AWE’s voluntary benefits portal.

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. Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Let us introduce the role

We’re looking for an exceptional Programme Manager to take ownership of the country’s high‑profile, high‑complexity Delivery workstream within the ASTRAEA programme. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the initiatives shaping the future of our organisation and the next generation of the nation’s nuclear capability.

You will be accountable for driving end‑to‑end product delivery, ensuring that complex, multi‑disciplinary solutions are defined, developed, and delivered to the highest standards. This means orchestrating delivery across technical, operational, and organisational boundaries, and ensuring that products meet strategic intent, user needs, and regulatory expectations.

If you thrive on delivering meaningful outcomes, influencing at senior levels, expertly governing and leading programme & product delivery, and developing high‑performing teams through complex change, this is your stage.

What you’ll lead

You’ll be accountable for delivering major projects as a programme of works within the ASTRAEA programme. The mission is to deliver our nations next generation weapons programme on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards. You’ll set the strategic direction, drive milestone and budget achievement, define delivery parameters, engage internal and external stakeholders and ensure the business case translates into real, measurable benefits within the Delivery Workstream into our customer.

What you’ll do

• Drive milestone and budget achievement.

• Provide inspirational leadership and product delivery in a complex environment.

• Shape strategic goals and turn them into clear operational plans.

• Lead, coach, and develop senior leaders across the delivery team.

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders at every level, inside and outside the organisation.

• Own the business case and ensure benefits are realised and measured.

• Maintain robust governance and a risk-based assurance approach.

• Ensure alignment with organisational priorities and escalate key issues when needed.

• Oversee strategic risks, resources, and financial controls.

• Promote a culture of high performance, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Ability to inspire, motivate and engage widely across the business.

• You will be part of a wider ASTRAEA management team with overall collective responsibility for the end product success.

What you’ll need

• Have a proven record of delivery in a highly regulated industry e.g., aerospace, defence, nuclear.

• Ideally, an engineering or manufacturing background.

• Strong strategic thinking and the confidence to influence at senior levels.

• A collaborative leadership style that brings out the best in people.

• A commitment to excellence in safety, security, quality, and delivery.

• Ideally a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), with Practitioner‑level accreditation (or above) through the Government Project Delivery Accreditation Scheme, and demonstrable evidence of relevant Project and Programme Management qualifications, or a commitment to achieving these within 12 months.

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.

• Relocation Assistance (terms & conditions apply).

• Free onsite parking.

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.

Source: 4dayweek.io