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The job details
Head of Risk
Category: Business Management Office
Salary: Salary starting at £84,549
Closing Date: 2026-08-21
Location: Risley, Cheshire
The salary range for this position is £84,549 to £91,977 (Grade 3A Lower).
If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact Mike White.
Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions. Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter.
If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team.
Job Description for Head of Risk:
There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At UKNNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.
We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at UKNNL, anything is possible.
As the Head of Risk, you will sit over the entirety of risk within UKNNL from project to enterprise. You will be responsible for ensuring that UKNNL has appropriate systems, processes and staff training to understand and manage risks across all operations.
You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the overall Risk Management Strategy and Framework.
You will be the focal point to ensure that the Board has confidence that risks are identified, assessed against defined risk appetite, and appropriate controls and mitigations are put in place by risk owners.
Main Responsibilities for Head of Risk:
- To ensure competence within the business of risk management theory and application by providing tailored training.
- To own and drive the ERM Process across UKNNL.
- Attend senior management meetings and provide practical insight in relation to risks and controls.
- Contribute to high quality, timely updates to Risk Committees on key themes, trends, and horizon risks to support a range of risk management processes and decision making.
- Drive continuous improvements to our risk management processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and not an impediment to efficiency or effectiveness.
- Synthesise and analyse large quantities of data to create useful information and concise conclusions.
- Ensure all major programmes of work have embedded risk management in their project charters.
- Develop a Risk Management brand which successfully allows the function to interface and collaborate with other areas of the business.
- Produce monthly reports to the Risk and Assurance Committee (‘RAC’) as an attendee and for the Board (and Audit, Risk and
- Assurance Committee – ‘ARAC’) where attendance will also be required in support of the Chief Nuclear Officer.
- Ensure that UKNNL has viable enterprise, site and functional business continuity plans that are subject to periodic testing.
Essential Criteria for Head of Risk:
- An internationally recognized certification in Risk Management such as (equivalents are acceptable):
- IRM International Certificate / Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management.
- NEBOSH IIRSM Certificate in Managing Risk.
- ICA Diploma in governance, Risk and Compliance.
- A Graduate level degree (preference for a STEM subject or equivalent professional qualification).
- Extensive experience in risk management including experience in a senior risk leadership role, preferably in a complex regulated environment.
- Be a strong confident leader, who clearly demonstrates drive, energy, dedication, and integrity, with a track record of delivery.
- Experience of having implemented (or re-certified) ISO 31000 – Risk Management and / or ISO 9001.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with your team as well as peers and other key stakeholders.
- Strong influencing, negotiating, team management and coaching skills.
- Understanding of regulatory framework and compliance requirements for a highly regulated industry (no requirement for specific nuclear experience).
- Experience in using modern risk management tools in an Integrated Management System – experience in implementing new systems and tools would be an advantage.
- Experience in making use of available data to make good decisions, and providing subjective insightful views backed by appropriate data.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills. Ability to present at senior management level and confidence to address the Board as required.
- Extremely high attention to detail and strong work ethic.
- Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).