Head of Operations - EPURE

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Head of Operations - EPURE

Location: Valduc, France

Working pattern: EPURE operates a 5-day working week. For this role, employees will be deployed to Valduc, France and are required to work fully onsite.

As the role is based in France, employees will follow the French Bank Holidays. There is a 1-week shutdown in the summer in addition to a Christmas shutdown based on local site arrangements. We support flexible working arrangements where possible, including varied working hours, while maintaining an onsite presence. Please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working pattern as part of your application.

You will be expected to have or attain French language skills to communicate effectively, both written and oral.

Please note, this role will begin deployment in December 2027, with appropriate training provided prior to taking up the post.  

Let us introduce the role

AWE is currently recruiting for a Head of Operations to lead and manage UK operations within EPURE in Valduc, France, supporting Teutates Treaty delivery, transition to full operational capability, and execution of the future EPURE trials programme.

Reporting to the TT&E General Manager and operating as an integral member of the TT&E Business Unit Senior Leadership Team (SLT), this role combines broad Business Unit operational leadership with specialist accountability for complex, highly regulated and politically sensitive operations in an international, dual-regulator environment.

The Head of Operations is accountable for the safety, security and delivery of UK operations within EPURE, including UK Eyes Only areas of the facility. The role also fulfils the obligations of the Deputy Division Manager of EPURE, as defined within the Teutates Treaty arrangements.

Leading a large, multi-disciplinary team, the role will deliver safe, secure, high-quality operations to time and cost, ensuring compliance with UK, French and treaty obligations. Working closely with the TT&E Business Unit, Teutates Programme and senior stakeholders, the Head of Operations will drive support long-term strategy, and embed operational excellence, continuous improvement and high-performance behaviours across the operational environment.

What you’ll do:

• Lead, develop and inspire a large multi-disciplinary team based in France, ensuring high performance, engagement, capability, succession and retention.
• Deliver safe, secure and compliant UK operations within EPURE, including execution of trials and achievement of operational commitments.
• Balance Teutates programme delivery with the development and sustainment of a resilient, long-term UK operational capability at EPURE.
• Set and deliver the Integrated Business Plan (IBP), contributing to longer-term strategic planning aligned to AWE and SWEP objectives.
• Ensure operational readiness through effective workforce planning, capability development and resource deployment.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, environmental, quality, security and regulatory requirements across UK and French frameworks.
• Maintain effective governance, assurance and control arrangements to meet AWE, regulatory and Teutates Treaty obligations.
• Foster a strong safety and security culture that encourages risk awareness, challenge and continuous compliance.
• Ensure the quality, safety and integrity of all UK trials, experiments and operational outputs.
• Act as the UK Senior Technical Operator, accountable for the safe and effective delivery of UK trials.
• Optimise the deployment of people, infrastructure and enabling resources to sustain operational performance.
• Use performance data, reporting and insight to monitor delivery, inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance, efficiency and resilience.
• Ensure the safe and secure operation of UK Eyes Only areas within a treaty-governed and dual-regulator environment.
• Maintain workforce competence frameworks and assurance records to demonstrate compliance, capability and operational readiness.
• Deliver agreed performance, budget and operational targets while maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and quality.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks, dependencies and vulnerabilities within a complex international operating environment.
• Ensure the safe and secure management of UK Eyes Only facilities and activities.
• Lead business change, transition and continuous improvement activity, embedding sustainable operational practices.
• Develop and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships across AWE, DNO, CEA, DNSR, trade unions and international partners.
• Ensure workforce capacity, capability and deployment support current and future operational and programme demands.
• Maintain robust competence, safety, security and quality records to provide effective assurance.
• Ensure UK personnel, capability and resources are aligned to support the objectives of the EPURE delivery unit
• Identify and leverage industry, regulatory and technological developments to enhance operational effectiveness and future capability.
• Be a proactive member of the TT&E SLT ensuring that EPURE activities are aligned and integrated with wider TT&E BU planning.

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'. 

Important things you need to know:

• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.  
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

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Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. 
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.