UK Atomic Energy Authority
Deliver safe, sustainable, low-carbon energy from nuclear fusion.
23 hours ago
$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
people analytics
strategy delivery
workforce planning
change management
The Head of People Business Partnering & Change will build and lead a high‑performing team that provides strategic, proactive people partnering across a complex, mission‑driven organisation. Working closely with the Director of People & Culture and senior leaders, the role will shape and embed the People Strategy, and guide the people aspects of major organisational change. The postholder will ensure Business Partners act as trusted advisers within Senior Leadership Teams, anticipating people risks and delivering integrated solutions in partnership with specialist People & Culture functions.
In addition, the role leads the people governance and analytics capability, delivering high‑quality insight to support evidence‑based decisions and proactive interventions. Operating in a unionised environment with highly skilled scientific and technical communities, the Head brings strong judgement, credibility and clear communication to influence a wide range of 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 development and delivery of the People Strategy and Delivery Plan on behalf of the Senior People & Culture Leadership Team.
- 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; and with Resourcing colleagues to maintain effective workforce planning.
Requirements
cipd level7
strategic hr
people leadership
union management
edi
learning development
The successful candidate will hold a degree and CIPD Level 7 qualification, bringing extensive strategic HR experience and strong people‑leadership capabilities.
- Degree-level education and CIPD Level 7 qualification.
- Extensive experience delivering strategic HR business partnering in complex environments.
- Expertise advising on EDI, pay & reward, organisational development & design, employee relations, and learning & development.
- Strong people‑leadership with a track record of coaching and developing high‑performing teams.
- Experience setting strategic priorities and translating them into measurable culture and organisational change outcomes.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a union‑ised environment and manage trade‑union relationships constructively.
Benefits
The role provides a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including a defined‑benefit pension scheme and ample annual leave. UKAEA is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively encouraging applications from under‑represented groups and offering adjustments to support fair recruitment.
- £69,592 base salary (with higher start salary after new pay framework).
- Final‑salary defined benefit pension scheme with approximately 21.5 % employer contribution.
- 25 days annual leave plus 3 days Christmas closure, 2.5 privilege days, and 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.