Job Description
We’re looking for a STEP Risk & Dependency Manager to sit at the heart of the STEP programme, driving excellence across risk, dependency, and assurance management. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the delivery of a groundbreaking fusion energy initiative while shaping best-in-class programme controls in a complex and evolving environment.
The Role
As the senior risk specialist within STEP, you will lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive risk, dependency, and assurance framework across the programme. You’ll ensure that risks, opportunities, assumptions, and dependencies are managed with rigor, insight, and foresight—supporting confident decision-making at the highest levels.
Leading a high-performing team, you will provide clear, data-driven insights to programme boards and executive leadership, while embedding a proactive, forward-thinking risk culture across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead Risk Strategy & Governance: Develop and implement best-in-class risk management frameworks, aligned to programme complexity and pace
* Drive Dependency & Integration Management: Ensure critical interdependencies are clearly mapped, managed, and aligned to delivery milestones
* Strengthen Assurance & Controls: Lead audits, reviews, and continuous improvement to ensure robust programme governance
* Executive Reporting: Deliver high-quality risk insights, dashboards, and analysis to senior leaders and governance bodies
* Champion Risk Culture: Promote proactive risk identification, ownership, and mitigation across the programme
* Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team: Build capability, manage resources, and mentor risk professionals across the function
* Influence Strategic Decisions: Provide expert advice to senior leaders within STEP and the wider UK Fusion Energy Enterprise
About You
You’re a strategic thinker with deep expertise in risk and programme controls, experienced in operating within large, complex programmes. You’re comfortable influencing at a senior level and thrive in an environment where ambiguity and innovation go hand in hand.
You will bring:
* Proven leadership experience in risk management within complex programmes or portfolios
* Strong understanding of programme governance, assurance, and control frameworks
* Ability to translate complex risk data into clear, actionable insights for senior stakeholders
* Experience managing dependencies, assumptions, and integrated programme planning
* A collaborative mindset, with the ability to influence across diverse teams and functions
* A passion for continuous improvement and building high-performing teams
Why Join STEP?
This is more than a role—it’s an opportunity to help shape the future of fusion energy. You’ll be part of a pioneering programme with ambitious goals, working alongside experts across science, engineering, and delivery to build a cleaner energy future
Qualifications
Essential:
* Strong understanding of risk management standards (ISO 31000, HMT Orange Book, APM, PMBOK).
* Experience in leading programme, project or enterprise risk management, within a complex or regulated environment.
* Relevant qualification, e.g. APM Risk level 2. / MOR Practitioner,
* Excellent leadership, communication, influencing, and collaboration skills
* Knowledge and proven direct experience of leading the development and implementations of Enterprise wide, project, and programme risk processes within a large, complex organisation.
* Ability to manage ambiguity, uncertainty, and complexity in project delivery
* Experience in working with a diverse range of senior stakeholders
* Familiarity with risk tools and systems (e.g. PIMS, Active Risk Manager (ARM), CGR, or custom RAIDO tools).
Beneficial:
* Bachelor’s degree in project management, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent).
* Project Management Qualification - APM PMQ, PRINCE2.
* Membership of an appropriate Professional Institute e.g. APM or PMI.
* Experience in functional leadership of Project Risk / Controls personnel and delivering results within a large-scale project environment.
* Ability to manage stakeholders and information flow in a matrix environment, possessing a strong aptitude toward working horizontally across business areas and vertically to senior levels of management, providing specialist advice as required.
Additional Information
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukifs.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKFE.
For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.
Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.
We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.