Fusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high, confidence is increasing, and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century, fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally, as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion, a sector with an estimated value of £tns per year.
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experiencing in delivery.
STEP is currently led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. Over the next year, leadership will transition to a new Company, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS) to focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a fusion supply chain. From the next government investment gate, UKIFS will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction, plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise
The Role:
We’re seeking a skilled Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of projects and workstreams within the STEP programme. In this role, you’ll take ownership of planning and execution, ensuring objectives are clearly defined and delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
As part of the programme’s governance structure, you’ll collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation to deliver agreed outputs and realise benefits. You’ll provide updates to senior managers, project boards, and SROs, while guiding technical teams with revised approaches when needed.
You’ll ensure all projects comply with established project management standards and UK Government requirements, including Functional Standard 002, the Teal Book, and other relevant frameworks.
Accountabilities will include:
Specific tasks and duties will be dependent on the programme / project a Project Manager is assigned to. Tasks and duties will align to the following:
- Project Delivery– Develop a comprehensive Project Management Plan, if required, to achieve agreed outcomes and milestones within time, cost and quality requirements. Collaborate with other related projects/programmes to manage interdependencies.
- Project Management – Provide daily management and leadership of the project and project team (or workstream / workstream team within larger programmes. Identify and implement the appropriate delivery methodology for the project/workstream and manage transitions between project phases/gates.
- Business Case: Translate and expand on the approved Business Case into a wider project management plan to ensure delivery of milestones within agreed and set parameters (e.g. by DESNZ). Contribute to updates and revisions of the Business Case as required during the project life cycle.
- Project Planning & Scheduling: Support the creation and maintenance of project plans and detailed project schedules, resource allocations, and key milestone tracking. Perform resource smoothing to avoid project bottlenecks or resource under-utilisation.
- Resource Management: Identify and secure required resources needed for each phase of the project. Working with the lead engineer/ technical leads on the project, identify any required SQEP resources that may be required and ensure these are allocated to the project. Manage delivery teams and address any under-performance with relevant line managers.
- Compliance: Ensure delivery of project activities in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory and organisational requirements. This currently includes Health & Safety legislation, CDM Regulations (where relevant), GDPR, Government Procurement Regulations and internal policies on Intellectual Property, Export Controls, and Declarations / Conflicts of Interest. Support adherence to engineering assurance, quality standards, and relevant environmental obligations: this list is not exhaustive, and the PM is required to ensure compliance with any additional statutory or corporate requirements as they are identified and apply to their project. Identify and escalate compliance risks promptly, maintaining appropriate records and audit trails throughout the project lifecycle.
- Contract Management & Procurement: Develop and manage contracts with suppliers/contractors to established government standards. Ensure all contractual obligations are met and manage any amendments through appropriate change control methodologies. Monitor contract performance and compliance and address any issues that arise. Work with the Commercial team to ensure contracts are appropriately structured for the project/programme needs and negotiate with suppliers on terms and conditions where appropriate.
- Governance, Assurance & Reporting: Organise assurance processes (e.g. gateway reviews). Provide regular reporting on project progress (e.g. monthly governance reviews, Board Reports etc.). Actively participate in reviews and action implementation of recommendations. Ensure appropriate document management systems and audit control measures are in place and adhered to.
- Benefits Management: Understand the expected benefits of the project and contribute to tracking progress against benefit realisation plans
- Stakeholder Management: Identify and manage stakeholder relationships ensuring necessary support at senior levels where required. Manage internal and external relationships.
- Project Performance & Controls: Adherence to project management controls (at times with a Project Controls lead and/or a planner) and ensure all project changes are captured.
- Cost Control – Establish the financial baseline for the project / programme workstream. Monitor expenditure throughout the project lifecycle to ensure alignment with the approved budget and business case. Track financial performance using agreed KPIs and implement corrective actions as necessary. Provide accurate, timely cost reports to the relevant stakeholders.
- Risk & Issue Management: Undertake proactive management project risks & issues. This includes risk identification and prioritisation, developing and implementing mitigation plans, maintaining an accurate risk & issue register, and ensuring the timely escalation of significant concerns.
- Collaborate: Lead on collaboration with relevant divisions / external partners and provide support and direction to other team members to ensure they are collaborating where required, to ensure effective project delivery
- Guidance & Support: Provide guidance, support and coaching to the project team, including cascading of wider organisational messages and information that may be pertinent to project delivery. Demonstrate commitment to personal development and promote effective team performance.
- Line Management – Experienced Level 5 Project Managers may line manage up to 5 junior project professionals and contract manage Agency Supplied Workers.
Budget Responsibility:
- Manages the assigned budget allocation of typical budget expenditure of £0.5 - £10m pa. Responsible for tracking invoices project expenditure against the budget allocation. Responsible for early identification of any forecasted under or overspend and proposing solutions / mitigating actions through to appropriate governance structure (Project reviews / Board report etc.) for decision.