Joint Head of Nuclear and Small Modular Reactors (SMR)

Job summary

Ofgem is working to deliver the low-carbon technologies that will power Britain's future, helping combat the challenges of financing and regulating the next generation of energy infrastructure. We're looking for a Joint Head of Nuclear and Small Modular Reactors (SMR) to join us and lead the regulatory approach for some of the UK's most significant and strategically important nuclear programmes.

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers, especially vulnerable people.

We're offering a permanent opportunity to take on a high-profile leadership role within our Low Carbon Regulated Asset Base team, working at the cutting edge of regulatory policy design and delivery. You'll jointly lead the Nuclear and Small Modular Reactors team, helping shape the future of nuclear regulation while overseeing the implementation of one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes and influencing the regulatory frameworks that will support future nuclear technologies. Working closely with another Head of Team, you'll play a leading role within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment where innovation and strategic thinking are highly valued.

This is a rare opportunity to influence nationally significant policy. You'll help shape how major low carbon infrastructure is regulated, contributing to work that will support investment, strengthen energy security and enable the UK's transition to Net Zero, all while leading a high-performing, inclusive team.

Job description

We're looking for someone with substantial expertise in economic regulation together with a proven track record of strategic leadership in complex regulatory environments. You'll be an influential communicator who builds strong relationships, leads multidisciplinary teams with confidence and can translate complex issues into clear, practical outcomes that support effective decision-making.

In return, you'll join an inclusive organisation where you'll have the opportunity to shape nationally important regulatory policy while working on some of our most innovative and high-profile programmes. Alongside flexible working, an excellent pension and generous annual leave, you'll collaborate with experts from across government, industry and the regulatory landscape, making a lasting impact on the future of Britain's energy infrastructure.

We have a critical purpose to support the delivery of safe, secure and sustainable low carbon energy infrastructure for Great Britain. Join us and help shape the future of energy regulation, enabling major investment, supporting Net Zero and delivering lasting benefits for consumers, businesses and the wider energy sector.

Person specification

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential criteria. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• Expertise in the design and/or implementation of economic regulation (i.e. RAB models / price controls), as demonstrated by a proven record of high performance and substantial achievements in past positions (LEAD).

• Proven aptitude for leadership, with an ability to build effective working relationships with teams and a wide range of stakeholders that creates space for constructive, open, and transparent engagement contributing to a culture of inclusion (LEAD).

• Develops, plans and delivers work outcomes, including clear and transparent work objectives, milestones and success metrics.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills that effectively communicate complex issues to non-expert audiences, distilling complex subject matter into relevant messages for internal/ external stakeholders at a range of levels.

• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to represent Ofgem effectively at external and senior levels.

• Desirable: Experience of working on Nuclear projects would be advantageous but not essential

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,443, OFGEM contributes £18,379 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

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Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and openness. They should follow the Civil Service code and be free from any influence or bias. We are committed to making sure interests are recognised, declared and managed appropriately so that we can fulfil our duties as an energy regulator. Our Conflicts of Interest policy outlines the types of interests Ofgem staff must declare before onboarding, and the rules they must follow throughout employment so that we can clearly demonstrate that our decisions are not influenced by private interests.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Rob Wilkins
• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles.

In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website.

Attachments

474013 - Joint Head of Nuclear and Small Modular Reactors (SMR) - Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 642kB)474013 - Role Profile Head of Nuclear_SMRs Opens in new window (pdf, 118kB)Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)