UK Atomic Energy Authority
Deliver safe, sustainable, low-carbon energy from nuclear fusion.
23 hours ago
$69,592 - $69,592
Expert & Leadership (13+ years)
Full Time
South Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Hybrid
Company Size
∼1,300 Employees
Service Specialisms
Sector Specialisms
Description
team leadership
data governance
strategy delivery
people planning
change management
people analytics
The Head of People Business Partnering & Change will build and lead a high‑performing team to provide strategic, proactive people partnering across the mission‑driven organisation. Working closely with the Director of People & Culture and senior leaders, the role will shape and embed the People Strategy, guide major organisational change, and ensure Business Partners act as trusted advisers to senior leadership.
In a unionised environment with highly skilled scientific and technical staff, the postholder will provide people governance and analytics, delivering insight for evidence‑based decisions and proactive interventions while influencing internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing team of business partners and change specialists, ensuring proactive, consistent and consultative people support.
- Lead the governance and data team to ensure robust management information is collected and reported to senior leadership for data‑driven people decisions.
- Co‑ordinate the development and delivery of the People Strategy and associated Delivery Plan on behalf of senior People & Culture leadership.
- Ensure divisional and programme‑level people plans are developed to a high standard.
- Inform and influence UKAEA‑wide organisational initiatives, leading people workstreams for restructures, mergers, spin‑outs or cultural transformations.
- Act as a senior leader within the People & Culture SLT, deputising for senior colleagues and collaborating with Centres of Expertise and Shared Services.
- Partner closely with ER colleagues to support cases, identify trends and implement preventative interventions; collaborate with Resourcing colleagues to maintain effective workforce planning.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from under‑represented groups in STEM.
Requirements
cipd level 7
strategic hr
people leadership
change management
union experience
edi
Candidates must hold a degree and CIPD Level 7 qualification, have extensive experience in strategic HR business partnering, and possess proven expertise across EDI, pay and reward, organisational development, employee relations and learning and development. Strong leadership, change management, and experience working with trade unions are also required.
- Educated to degree level with CIPD Level 7 qualification.
- Extensive experience delivering strategic HR business partnering within complex organisational environments.
- Proven expertise advising across EDI, Pay and Reward, Organisational Development & Design, Employee Relations, and Learning & Development.
- Strong people leadership capability with a demonstrable track record of coaching, developing and leading high‑performing teams.
- Experience in setting strategic priorities and translating them into measurable culture and organisational change outcomes.
- Demonstrable experience operating effectively in a unionised environment, engaging with recognised trade unions and managing stakeholder relationships constructively.
Benefits
UKAEA offers a competitive salary of £69,592 plus an excellent pension scheme, generous leave entitlements and flexible hybrid working. The organisation is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively encouraging applications from under‑represented groups in STEM and providing support for accessible recruitment.
- Base salary £69,592.
- Final salary defined benefit pension scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer contribution.
- 25 days annual leave plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, plus UK bank holidays.
- Flexible and hybrid working options.
Training + Development
Interview process
Visa Sponsorship
Security clearance
Overview
1954
Year Established
The organization was founded to advance fusion energy technology and secure the UK’s position as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.
- Operates the UK’s national fusion energy research program, which is sponsored by the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
- Maintains facilities across four sites in the UK, including the Culham Campus in Oxfordshire, the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, West Burton in north Nottinghamshire, and Whitehaven in Cumbria.
- Maintains partnerships with various international organisations and is centrally involved in the ITER project, an industrial-scale demonstration of fusion power currently underway in southern France.
Culture + Values
Designing Fusion Systems
Innovation in Technology
The company focuses on developing cutting-edge fusion systems to revolutionize energy production.
- Commitment – We believe in what we do, the importance of our mission, and doing what we can to achieve it.
- Trust – We strive to be open, transparent and inclusive, so that everyone we work with believes and values what we say and do.
- Collaboration – We believe in the power and importance of working in partnership.
Environment + Sustainability
Four million times more energy.
Energy Output Comparison
Fusion releases almost four million times more energy than traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil, or gas.
- Fusion energy is poised to provide a safe, sustainable, and low-carbon energy solution for future generations.
- Fusion energy offers a nearly limitless source of green electricity. It uses minimal fuel derived from widely available, inexpensive materials.
Inclusion & Diversity
- Dedicated to equal opportunities for all and strive to create a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our employees.
- Collaborate with several industry-standard bodies such as Inclusive Companies, Vercida, Women in Nuclear schemes, and Equal Engineers to foster an equitable workplace and support individuals from under-represented groups.
- Internal networks include groups for LGBTQ+ members, a women's network, and ENACT, which focuses on ethnicity, nationality, and culture, all designed to foster community and understanding within the organization.