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Appointment details

Atomic Weapons Establishment - Non Executive Director

Summary

• Organisation: Atomic Weapons Establishment
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Defence
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Defence
• Skills: Major Projects
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 2 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £29,995 per annum
• Length of term: 3 Years
• Application deadline: 7pm on 22 March 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   9 February 2023

2. Application deadline

   7pm on 22 March 2023

3. Sifting date

   3 April 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   17 April 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE plc) is seeking a Non-Executive Director for the Board.

Together, delivering solutions for a safe and secure future.

For the past 70 years the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE plc) has played a crucial role in nuclear defence, providing the warheads for the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The role of the UK’s nuclear warheads and the Continuous at Sea Deterrent is to deter the most extreme threats our nation might face not just now, but that might emerge in the decades to come.

In 2020 the Government announced the replacement warhead programme in Parliament, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the United Kingdom’s minimum credible independent nuclear deterrent. Establishing this new programme will accelerate the transformation activity at AWE and requires an extensive and complex infrastructure build agenda, likely one of Europe’s largest over the next decade. Our main site is on the former RAF Aldermaston with major facilities at Burghfield, Blacknest and RNAD Coulport. A team of world-renowned scientists, engineers and specialists undertake critical work, providing and maintaining warheads for Royal Navy submarines – everything from design and manufacture to in-service support and decommissioning. With unique nuclear skills and expertise, the business is also able to provide intelligence and support to the UK Government by developing innovative solutions to combat nuclear threat, terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

Today, AWE is recognised as a centre of scientific, engineering and technological excellence, equipped with some of the most advanced research, design and production facilities in the world. AWE plc was until 2021 owned by a private-sector consortium. From July 2021, AWE became an ‘arms-length body’ wholly owned by the MoD.

Further information can be found at:

https://www.awe.co.uk/

The AWE plc Board, chaired by Sir John Manzoni, is a collaboration of industry experts that together support delivery of the AWE mission. The Board is responsible for setting the strategy of the business and providing oversight of, and constructive challenge to, the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Committee, to whom it delegates the day-to-day running of AWE’s business and operations. The Board comprises of the Chair, six independent Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), one NED appointed by the MOD as a shareholder, and two executive directors. More information about the board and its relationship in the overall governance of AWE can be found in the AWE Framework Document.

The position has become open due to the incumbent stepping into an executive role within AWE to lead the nascent (and material) infrastructure programme as part of the REPLACEMENT WARHEAD PROGRAMME. The replacement will chair the Infrastructure Committee and sit on one or more other Board committees. AWE is commencing one of the most complex and challenging infrastructure programmes in the UK and so leadership of the Infrastructure Committee will be vital in assuring AWE and its stakeholders of the effective delivery of that and AWE’s other infrastructure programmes.

Appointment description

As an Independent Non-Executive Director on a fiduciary Board, you would:

• Contribute to setting, monitoring and challenging the strategic direction of AWE plc, by assisting in developing key strategic objectives, overseeing their achievement and ensuring they remain appropriate;
• Contribute to open and honest debate at Board meetings and provide constructive challenge to the executive decisions, adding diversity of thought and industry experience to the Board;
• Promote the long-term success of AWE plc and ensure the accountability of AWE plc, scrutinising the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives, and monitoring the reporting of performance;
• Uphold high standards of integrity and probity, supporting the Chair and executive directors by seeking to instil the appropriate culture, values and behaviours in the boardroom and beyond;
• Commit sufficient time and resource to fulfil all functional responsibilities and continually develop personal capabilities to do so.

In addition to this, you will chair the Infrastructure Committee and sit on one or more other Board committees

The Chair is looking for candidates with the following profile:

• UK national who is willing to undergo DV clearance (if successful);
• Focused on results and a willingness to look for solutions combined with an emphasis on targeted performance measurement;
• Pragmatic approach, including an ability to adapt quickly to fast moving situations; and
• Capacity to carry out this role effectively, with a commitment to AWE plc’s mission, and desire to add real value to the Board and the business.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Proven expertise in large scale programme /complex infrastructure/ project management and assurance with capital intensive industries comparable to AWE plc.
• Clear and effective influencing and communication skills, including an ability to operate effectively at Board level, challenging an executive constructively, and communicating with a wide range of audiences;
•  Preparedness to work with top levels of government in progressing the AWE infrastructure agenda;
• An open mind, with the courage to think independently and strategically and an ability to analyse complex issues while driving tangible delivery/change;
• Team working and collaboration skills, including an ability to work together with other executives and non-executives in a low ego environment to solve collective problems;
• A good understanding of large and complex organisations operating in a changing environment; and
• Credibility and communication skills to operate confidently and effectively at Board level, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly both internally and externally.

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with complex, high-hazard and regulated environment at an Executive or Non-Executive level;
• Expertise in managing capital projects;
• Expertise with transforming complex organisations;
• Working with the Public Sector, and knowledge and experience of major projects with government involvement.

Please note this position specification is not exhaustive. There will be other accountabilities not specified here that would be expected from the Non-Executive Director.

Application and selection process

How to apply

Please submit materials by email to responses@russellreynolds.com

Find further information and details on the application process dates in the Position Specification attached.

If you believe you have a conflict of interest, please contact Russell Reynolds Associates before submitting your application.

Your submission should include:

• The reference number in the subject line P2212-058L.
• Your current CV with educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, explaining any gaps in your employment history, giving details where applicable, of budgets and numbers of people managed, highlighting relevant achievements in recent posts.
• The names of two referees who may be contacted at short-list stage, i.e. before the final interview, describing in what capacity and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your consent.
• Notification of any dates you are unable to accommodate within the indicative timetable set out.

In addition, your application should include the following documentation:

• Diversity Information Form. We are committed to recruiting public appointees that reflect the diverse communities we serve. The diversity information you provide will help support monitoring our recruitment processes to ensure they are fair to all and allow us to attract diverse and talented candidates. The data in this section is collated anonymously and will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application.
• Conflicts of Interest. Applicants will be asked to declare any potential conflicts. This data will be shared with the panel.

Please note: due diligence will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The AWE Nominations Committee are responsible for making a recommendation to the board and ministers on who to appoint. The assessment panel will be made up of selected members of the Nominations Committee and will be supported by an independent panel member.

Eligibility criteria

• This post is reserved for UK Nationals only.
• The successful candidate must hold or be willing to obtain security clearance to Developed Vetting clearance level.
• Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests that they have that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of AWE, including any relevant business interests, shareholdings, positions of authority, retainers, consultancy arrangements or other connections with commercial, public or voluntary bodies, both for themselves and for their spouses/partners.

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life. These are:

1. Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2. Integrity - Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
3. Objectivity - Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
5. Openness - Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
6. Honesty - Holders of public office should be truthful.
7. Leadership - Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

Contact details

Additional information on this role can be requested by emailing responses@russellreynolds.com .

Attachments

• Position Specification - AWE plc Non Executive Director