Head of Regulatory Compliance & Engagement

# Head of Regulatory Compliance & EngagementNuclear Engineering### Job DetailsLocationRetford, United KingdomEmployment TypeFull-timeSalary£86kLevelLeadershipPosted## Company DescriptionThe UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) protype fusion plant. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype.Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground-breaking journey.**Onsite working** is expected for **3 days each week**, however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.A full list of our benefits can be found hereFor more information on UKFE, visit:As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:* Outstanding **defined benefit pension scheme,** details of which can be found at the end of this advert.* Corporate **bonus scheme up to *7*%** and a **Relocation** allowance (if eligible).* **Flexible working options** including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.* **Employee Assistance Programme** and trained Mental Health First Aiders,* **Generous annual leave** allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays* Wide range of **career development opportunities*** A vibrant **culture** committed to being fully **inclusive**The salary for this role is **£86,758** + excellent benefits including outstanding pension*.*The closing date to apply for this position is the **4th May 2026**This UKFE vacancy will be based at **West Burton, Nottinghamshire**## Job DescriptionFusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high, confidence is increasing, and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century, fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally, as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion, a sector with an estimated value of £tns per year. STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experiencing in delivery. STEP is supported by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. UK Fusion Energy Ltd. (UKFE) Is a relatively new organisation established to focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a fusion supply chain. UKFE will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction, plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise.**The Role:**Reporting to the Director of Safety, Quality & Mission Assurance, you will be the single senior authority for all regulatory compliance, permissioning, consenting, and regulatory engagement across UKFE and the STEP programme.You will define and own the regulatory compliance strategy, lead senior‐level engagement with regulators and government, and provide authoritative, independent advice to the Board, Senior Responsible Owner, Programme Director, and Executive team.This is a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of delivery ambition, public trust, and regulatory confidence. You will build and lead a growing team of regulatory professionals and play a critical role in shaping programme strategy, sequencing, and credibility as STEP progresses through increasing scrutiny and complexity.**What You’ll Be Responsible For****Senior Leadership & Regulatory Engagement*** Act as the single, authoritative senior voice on regulatory matters across UKFE and STEP* Build and sustain trust‐based relationships with regulators, positioning UKFE as a proactive, transparent, and reliable duty holder* Lead regulatory engagement through periods of challenge, scrutiny, and regulatory evolution — including novel and emerging frameworks for fusion* Set clear expectations for regulatory behaviours, capability, and consistency across the organisation and partners* Act as a senior ambassador for UKFE and STEP with regulators, communities, industry, and government**Strategic Advice & Board Support*** Provide clear, evidence‐based regulatory advice to the Board, Executive, SRO, and Programme leadership* Ensure regulatory risks, opportunities, and constraints are visible, understood, and embedded in strategic decision‐making* Translate complex regulatory landscapes into clear options, trade‐offs, and recommendations* Challenge optimism bias or delivery pressure where regulatory credibility, compliance, or trust could be compromised**Regulatory Compliance Strategy & Delivery*** Define, own, and deliver the end‐to‐end regulatory compliance strategy for UKFE and STEP* Lead all permissioning, consenting, exemptions, and approval activities across the programme* Ensure regulatory submissions are coherent, complete, auditable, and aligned with agreed policy and guidance* Provide assurance to Executives and regulators that UKFE has a controlled, credible, and auditable regulatory approach**Organisational Effectiveness & Integration*** Design and lead a future‐proof regulatory operating model capable of scaling with programme maturity* Ensure regulatory roles, responsibilities, and decision rights are clear and consistently applied across UKFE and delivery partners* Integrate regulatory engagement with programme planning, engineering, assurance, and governance to avoid late or fragmented engagement* Act as final arbiter on regulatory coordination issues, ensuring coherent external positions**Regulatory System Stewardship & Improvement*** Monitor the effectiveness of regulatory compliance arrangements and drive continuous improvement* Support the development of proportionate, enabling regulation for fusion where frameworks are still evolving* Contribute to national policy thinking and cross‐sector forums, positioning UKFE as a thought leader in fusion regulation**Leadership & Culture*** Build, lead, and develop a high‐performing regulatory and consenting team* Foster a values‐led, inclusive culture that promotes learning, professionalism, and shared ownership of outcomes* Act as a role model for ethical, transparent, and accountable leadership## Qualifications**What you’ll bring**You will be a highly credible regulatory leader with substantial experience operating at senior levels within complex, mission‐critical, or nationally significant programmes. You bring the confidence and judgement to engage regulators as trusted partners while providing robust, independent advice to Boards and Executives. Comfortable navigating emerging or ambiguous regulatory#J-18808-Ljbffr…