Title
Head of Quality
Overview
Defence & Nuclear Technology Solutions (DNTS UK), part of KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions portfolio, is seeking a Head of Quality to establish, lead and embed a fit‑for‑purpose quality capability across the UK business. The role reports to the Head of Business Excellence and is accountable for the development, maintenance and continual improvement of the DNTS UK Integrated Management System (IMS), ensuring that quality arrangements are proportionate, risk‑based and support effective delivery across business development, bidding and execution.
Location
Leatherhead – the role requires a minimum of 3 days per week on site, with agile working arrangements supported. UK‑wide travel and occasional international travel will be required.
Security Requirements
Due to project security requirements, candidates must be eligible for UK security clearance, typically requiring sole British citizenship and a 5‑year footprint in the UK.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Leadership and Integrated Management System
* Lead the operation and continual improvement of the DNTS UK Integrated Management System (IMS), ensuring it remains effective, proportionate and aligned to business needs.
* Maintain IMS governance including document control, process architecture, review cycles and compliance monitoring.
* Act as Process Owner for the Quality Assurance process, ensuring regular review and update of process artefacts and guidance.
Assurance, Audit and Governance
* Develop and deliver a risk‑based annual audit and assurance programme covering processes, projects and, where applicable, supply chain activities.
* Lead internal audits and coordinate external audits and assessments, ensuring timely closure of findings and corrective actions.
* Embed risk‑based thinking and quality‑by‑design principles across bids and delivery activity.
Standards and Certifications
* Manage relationships with certification bodies to maintain existing certifications and secure new certifications as required by the business.
* Maintain DNTS UK compliance with relevant standards, including ISO 9001 and other standards adopted by the business.
* Translate standards requirements into practical, scalable processes and guidance for delivery teams.
Bid, Project and Customer Support
* Provide quality input to bids and proposals to ensure requirements are understood, compliant and deliverable.
* Support projects and programmes to tailor quality plans and controls proportionate to contract risk and complexity.
* Support the monitoring and reporting of quality performance and customer feedback, ensuring actions are identified and closed.
Continuous Improvement and Quality Culture
* Drive continuous improvement through analysis of audit findings, non‑conformances, customer feedback and performance trends.
* Deliver quality induction and refresher training and provide coaching to teams on effective use of the IMS.
* Promote a strong quality culture focused on early issue identification, learning and disciplined delivery.
Capability Development
* Establish and grow the DNTS UK quality capability over time, including defining future resourcing needs, role profiles and approaches to quality support aligned to business growth.
* Coordinate and task quality support across bids and projects, including matrixed or specialist resources where applicable.
Stakeholder Management
* Build strong working relationships across operations, growth and functional teams, acting as a trusted partner that enables delivery.
* Liaise with global and regional quality teams to ensure alignment with KBR principles and initiatives.
* Represent DNTS UK in relevant professional or industry forums where this supports capability development and external credibility.
What we Need
Essential
* Significant experience in quality management or assurance roles within regulated or high‑assurance environments.
* Demonstrable experience implementing, operating and improving ISO 9001‑aligned management systems.
* Experience planning and conducting internal audits and managing corrective actions.
* Experience supporting bids and/or delivery programmes with proportionate quality governance and assurance.
* Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and coach effectively.
* Experience providing line management, mentoring and professional development to quality team members.
* Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Engineering, Quality, Business, Science or a related discipline.
Desirable
* Experience with additional standards, such as ISO 44001 or ISO 19650.
* Experience applying continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean, Six Sigma or similar.
* Demonstrable experience using data and performance insight to drive improvement.
* Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.
* Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CQI).
* Chartered Quality Professional – CQI.
* Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 9001 or equivalent).
* Lean / Six Sigma certification.
Reference: R2122831
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