Programme Secretariat & Reporting Lead - Two year contract

Join one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes and play a central role in shaping its governance and strategic decision-making.

As Programme Secretariat and Reporting Lead, you’ll be at the heart of the STEP Programme’s governance ecosystem, acting as the key interface between STEP and the UKIFS Executive Office. This high-profile role demands exceptional judgement, discretion, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across government, industry, and academia.

What You’ll Be Doing:

You’ll lead the coordination of governance operations, ensuring STEP’s decision-making forums are strategically aligned and professionally executed. From Board and Executive meetings to programme-level governance, you’ll ensure these forums deliver real value, accountability, and assurance.

Working closely with the Head of Programme Governance and Reporting and the UKIFS Executive Office Lead, you’ll help define and uphold the standards that underpin effective governance across a complex, multi-partner environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Governance & Executive Interface

• Lead governance operations across STEP, aligning programme forums with UKIFS Executive and Board structures.
• Act as the primary liaison with the Executive Office, ensuring governance cycles and reporting rhythms are integrated and strategic.
• Provide expert secretariat support to the STEP Board, subcommittees, and strategic groups.

Reporting Leadership

• Own the delivery of high-quality reporting products that inform senior decision-making.
• Ensure outputs are accurate, timely, and strategically aligned to support risk management and performance oversight.
• Shape reporting standards and drive continuous improvement in how insights are communicated.

Secretariat Excellence

• Draft and assure minutes, decision records, and action logs for senior meetings.
• Maintain governance registers and decision-tracking systems to ensure accountability and audit readiness.

Governance Assurance & Optimisation

• Lead initiatives to improve governance processes, templates, and standards.
• Support internal and external assurance reviews and promote best practice across the programme.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across UKIFS, UKAEA, DESNZ, NISTA, and industry partners.
• Coordinate briefing materials for external stakeholders, including Ministers and senior officials.
• Translate complex information into clear, decision-ready outputs for diverse audiences.

Leadership & Culture

• Embody a leadership mindset and uphold the organisation’s values and mission.
• Foster a positive, inclusive team culture and promote responsible innovation.
• Demonstrate the Seven Principles of Public Life in all aspects of your work.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in governance, reporting, or executive-level coordination within complex programmes.
• Strong strategic awareness and the ability to manage sensitive information flows.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• A commitment to high standards, transparency, and continuous improvement.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested.