About the job

Job summary

The mission of the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) is to keep safe and capable submarines at sea today and in the future. We need a capable and credible nuclear deterrent to successfully deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life. Defence Nuclear consists of the people, equipment and infrastructure required to make that happen.  

The role of Deputy Director Transport Operations Group is diverse, leading the delivery of new capability to replace the existing vehicle and container system, through to the routine operations vital to our nation’s ultimate deterrent. This is an exciting opportunity to lead on high profile nuclear transport programmes, supporting the DNO mission and make a positive impact on the world.  

Are you are an innovative operational delivery professional who can empower teams to deliver on vital operations? Then we would love to hear from you.

Job description

The current responsibilities of the role include:

• Lead, develop and manage the Transport operations team of around 80 civilian and military personnel. Ensure appropriate strategic workforce plans are in place to address nuclear skills demands.
• Support the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and Warhead Group in the effective running and promotion of all warhead aspects of Defence Nuclear Executive Board business including the safe, secure, and cost-effective performance and risk management of a Nuclear Transport Operations Group (NTOG).
• Drive an effective Nuclear Safety and Security culture across the NTOG to ensure compliance with regulations and a culture of learning and reporting; ensuring teams develop and maintain the nuclear safety baseline in full and best practice compliance with Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) requirements. Reduce and manage risk to life.
• Lead in the change control of the Nuclear Transport Operations (NTO) programme, ensuring that change decisions are taken in an appropriate and timely manner at the right level of authority and managing the impact of programme changes on NTOG organisations.
• Maintain regular and effective dialogue with the DNSR, Defence Nuclear Security Regulator and other relevant regulators in order to gain their understanding and support for the NTO programmes, decisions made, and to address any recommendations or notices that have been raised in a timely manner.
• Issue operation orders for each NTO operation and to ensure that the Joint Operation Centre (JOC) in the Atomic Weapons Establishment is appropriately resourced and run through the duration of all active operations.
• Where required by the SRO, engage, and drive international collaborations and other relationships. Manage and provide oversight of Transport Nuclear Emergency Operations (TNEO) activities including exercise planning and delivery.

Person specification

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Excellent leadership skills with an ability to create and present a strategic vision or direction, that motivates and empowers others to work towards a common goal. You will also need to demonstrate how you are able to build and lead high performing, diverse and inclusive teams in a matrixed environment.
• An exceptional Operational Delivery professional, with experience of embedding systems thinking, including compliance, audit and propriety whilst delivering operational outputs.
• Previous experience and knowledge working on organisational models and/or change programmes, with involvement in Board level decisions.
• Proven track record of using knowledge and experience to create and contribute to a culture of innovation, around challenging and complex operational and policy issues, using evidence-based strategies to evaluate the full range of options, understand the impacts and get the right solutions.
• Proven experience of senior stakeholder management in a political, pressured environment with evidence of being able to build a strong network of collaborative relationships, especially at Board level. You must also demonstrate how and when you have been able to influence senior stakeholders within a complex environment.
• Experience in making difficult decisions using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice. You must also demonstrate your ability to and defend your decision making, and challenge senior stakeholders, reducing conflict and providing sensible solutions where necessary.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process accessed via the advertisement listed for this role. This should be completed no later than 23:55 Sunday 21st April 2024 and will involve providing the two documents outlined below via the Civil Service Jobs portal:

• A CV (no more than 2 pages) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Personal Statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role. 

Both documents are weighted equally in their scoring so it's important to consider this when uploading your application. Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. 

For further information about the role and full application process, please refer to the candidate pack attached below. If you wish to receive any material in a different format for accessibility, then please contact People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk.

Ade Orchard will be offering an online Q&A session on Monday the 15th of April from 1100-1200, to provide an overview of the role and welcome any questions you may have. Candidates can access the meeting by clicking here.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.