If you would like to apply please contact responses@russellreynolds.com
Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Non-Executive Director
Contents
Summary
- Organisation
- Atomic Weapons Establishment
- Sponsor department
- Ministry of Defence
- Location
- South East
- Sectors
- Defence
- Skills
- Major Projects
- Number of vacancies
- 1
- Time commitment
- 2 day(s) per month
- Remuneration
- £29,999 per annum
- Length of term
- 3 Years
- Application deadline
- 11:59pm on 22 May 2026
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Timeline for this appointment
-
Opening date
11 May 2026
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Application deadline
11:59pm on 22 May 2026
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Sifting date
5 June 2026
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Interviews expected to end on
19 June 2026
Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change
About the appointment
Introduction
AWE designs and manufactures warheads and provide nuclear services to meet the needs of defence.
The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sits at the heart of the United Kingdom’s national security, playing a central role in the design, manufacture and support of the warheads that underpin the UK’s strategic deterrent. For more than 75 years, the organisation has delivered a mission of the highest national importance: sustaining a credible and effective deterrent to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression.
Operating at the forefront of science, engineering and nuclear innovation, AWE brings together advanced research with complex, high-hazard manufacturing and infrastructure delivery. Its responsibilities span assuring the safety, security and effectiveness of the UK’s Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD), developing next-generation capabilities, and supporting wider nuclear threat reduction efforts.
Today, AWE employs around 9,000 people, including globally respected scientists, engineers and technical specialists. The organisation works in close partnership with government, international allies, industry and academia, sustaining a sovereign capability that remains fundamental to the UK’s defence posture.
AWE operates within a uniquely demanding regulatory and safety environment where the highest standards of assurance are essential. A strong and deeply embedded safety culture, encompassing environment, health, safety and wellbeing, underpins all activity across the organisation, from major capital programmes through to production, science and technology.
AWE has once again been named as one of the top Best Big Companies to work for in the Sunday Times Best Companies Awards, as well as gaining further recognition in a number of other categories last year.
As the organisation continues to modernise its infrastructure, strengthen its delivery capability and respond to an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, it remains focused on its core purpose: safeguarding the nation through a credible, resilient and effective nuclear deterrent.
Appointment description
AWE is seeking to further strengthen the capacity and capability of its Board through the appointment of a NED with deep domain expertise in nuclear science and/or engineering, at a time of critical importance to the UK’s national security and strategic deterrent.
The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping Board deliberations, bringing independent judgement and authoritative technical insight in support of AWE’s mission to sustain and evolve the UK’s sovereign nuclear capability and Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD), safely, securely, and effectively.
The NED will serve as a member of the Board and, subject to experience, may be invited to chair or contribute to key committees, particularly those focused on technical assurance, safety, and risk.
Candidates will bring a strong background in science or engineering, and significant nuclear experience. This expertise will enable the provision of rigorous challenge and strategic support to the executive, strengthen AWE’s engagement with leading organisations across UK industry and academia, and ensure that complex scientific and engineering considerations are clearly articulated and effectively integrated into Board decision-making, in service of a mission of the highest national significance.
Board composition
The AWE Board brings together a group of highly experienced leaders from across defence, engineering, science and wider industry, united in supporting the delivery of AWE’s national mission.
The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and for providing oversight, support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Committee. Day-to-day management of the business is delegated to the executive, with the Board maintaining clear accountability for performance, risk and governance. More than anything, the Board exists to ensure that AWE is successfully and safely delivering to its core customer, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO).
The Board comprises the Chair, six independent Non-Executive Directors, one Non-Executive Director appointed by the Ministry of Defence as shareholder, and two executive directors.
In March 2024, Nick Elliott was appointed Chief Executive Officer. He leads an established executive team and brings deep experience across defence, engineering and infrastructure. His previous roles include Director General Commercial and Deputy Chief Executive of Defence Equipment & Support, as well as Non-Executive Director positions with the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
More information about the Board and its role in the overall governance of AWE can be found in the AWE Framework Document.Person specification
Essential criteria
- Significant experience within the nuclear enterprise (civil or defence), or a closely related high-hazard, highly regulated engineering, manufacturing or scientific environment with direct relevance.
- A strong technical background in science or engineering, ideally within nuclear disciplines or adjacent fields (e.g. materials science or physics), with an emphasis on applied, delivery-focused, manufacturing experience.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering complex programmes, systems or products, with an appreciation of the operational and execution challenges inherent in safety-critical environments.
- The ability to provide informed, pragmatic challenge and support to the executive, including the confidence to question unnecessary complexity and ensure a clear focus on deliverability and outcomes.
- The ability to think strategically, set clear direction and effectively command the confidence of a range of audiences.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including experience of building networks, managing complex relationships and effectively influencing senior stakeholders, including government and regulators.
- A strong network across the UK’s industrial and academic base relevant to AWE’s mission, supporting effective connectivity to leading-edge capability in science, engineering and advanced manufacturing.
- The credibility and judgement to operate at Board level within a highly sensitive national security context, supporting AWE’s role in sustaining the UK’s sovereign nuclear capability and Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD).
Desirable criteria
Prior Non-Executive Director experience, or exposure to Board-level governance.
An understanding of the regulatory environment as it pertains to nuclear.
Application and selection process
AWE has appointed Russell Reynolds Associates to support this recruitment.
The Selection Panel for this role will assess applications on merit in determining the candidates considered most suitable for this appointment.
The panel will assess the applications to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the Essential Criteria in the Candidate Profile section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application. The Panel will identify a subset of candidates who best match the criteria for an initial interview with Russell Reynolds Associates to further explore their skills and experience with reference to all the criteria in the person specification.
Following sifting, selected candidates will be invited to participate in additional engagement activity ahead of panel interviews, which may include meeting with members of the AWE Board’s Nominations Committee. The Selection Panel will identify which candidates are appointable before a final decision on who to appoint is made by the Secretary of State for Defence.
AWE reserves the right to make any offer of appointment conditional upon references and satisfactory conclusion of security enquiries.
The provision of false or misleading information by a candidate who is appointed will be grounds for termination without notice.
- This post is reserved for UK Nationals only.
- The successful candidate must hold or be willing to obtain security clearance to Developed Vetting level prior to appointment.
- Candidates must also note the requirement to declare any interests 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.
- The successful candidate will need Secretary of State for Defence approval and Developed Vetting prior to being appointed.
If you need further advice, please contact responses@russellreynolds.com
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
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.
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.
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 ‘essential 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.
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.
The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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;
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).
As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.
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 ten years in any one post.
Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.
You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying.
This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.
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.
We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.
Please contact the responses@russellreynolds.com in the first instance if you wish to make a complaint. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.
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Contact details
If you need further information about this role, please contact responses@russellreynolds.com