Defence Nuclear Organisation - ASTRAEA Project Controls Manager

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) is responsible for the provision of the nuclear deterrent, encompassing our submarines and nuclear warheads, while also advising on UK nuclear planning and fostering international co-operation on nuclear matters. With a multidisciplinary team of over 700 professionals, the DNO brings together expertise in science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery, and more. We work in partnership with the Royal Navy, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Atomic Weapons Establishment as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated, and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.

The ASTRAEA Programme Controls Manager post sits in DNO Warhead Group’s Integrated Stockpile Organisation (ISO), The Integrated Stockpile Organisation is responsible for the development, delivery and support of the current in-service Trident Mk4A Re-Entry System, Future Technologies and the replacement A21/Mk7 Re-Entry System. The ISO comprises ISM Develop and ISM Deliver, which together undertake the MOD intelligent customer role across the Concept, Assessment, Demonstration, Manufacture, In-Service and Disposal (CADMID) lifecycle.

You will be part of a dynamic and growing team, collaborating with colleagues based across multiple sites.

The ASTRAEA Project Controls Manager will lead on ASTRAEA Benefits Management, but also, support wider project control disciplines and activity, such as; Dependency Management, Risk Management, Schedule Input and Business Case Approvals.

This job role is not suitable for job share or part-time working.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

• Develop, implement and maintain a Benefits Strategy to enable delivery of defined Benefits within the ASTRAEA Business Case(s).
• Continued development of the Benefits Realisation Plan, ensuring all benefits are planned, quantified and tracked for successful delivery.
• Lead responses on Benefits to any internal or external reviews that the ASTRAEA programme is subject to.
• Provide programmatic input into interface and integration activity across the programme.
• Support Dependency Management, ensuring dependencies are identified, tracked and recorded within the ASTRAEA Schedule, but also, support the development of the ASTRAEA Schedule where required.
• Support Risk & Assumptions Management activity where required.
• Preparing Business Cases that align with the Five Case Model (Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial, and Management) with input from specialists as necessary.
• Engaging with internal and external Business Case assurance and scrutiny activity.
• Support wider interactions with the U.S. under the Polaris Sales Agreement (PSA) and Mutual Defense Agreement (MDA).

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Due to security constraints, this post is exempt from hybrid working requests. Requests for flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered but may be limited. Candidates should consider this and must discuss with recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

APMQ or similar Project / Programme Management Qualifications

Open to UK nationals only.

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

Candidates will be required to provide a CV and a Personal Statement of Suitability (maximum 500 words) that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential/desirable requirements for the role.

At Sift, you will be assessed on your;

• CV
• Personal Statement

Success Profile Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decision

At Interview, you will be assessed on your Experience and;

Success Profile Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical Skill:

• Nuc 2.2 - Management of the Nuclear Weapon programme

The interviews will be conducted via MS Teams.

Further information:

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.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in this advertised post may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

You will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.

The Defence Nuclear Organisation plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of the UK’s independent strategic nuclear deterrent. To help enhance security, staff working for the DNO are encouraged to always exercise a high level of discretion in sharing information or talking about their work. As part of the application process, we ask that you do not tell anyone other than your partner or close family member about your application to join the DNO. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else at this stage.

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