Our mission is to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.
Location
Bootle, Cheltenham, or London
Salary
£97,000 to £116,600
Directly reports to
Finance Director
Role
Reporting to the Finance Director, this role ensures that there is appropriate and professional focus on all information systems, technology and governance. With responsibility for leading the IT Directorate to deliver strategic intent coherently, effectively and efficiently to ITIL and COBIT standards the IT Director will ensure ONR's IT estate is secure, reliable, value for money and fit-for purpose, working with suppliers to oversee a seamless and value for money experience.
About The Role
Responsibilities
Lead the IT Management Team to deliver ONR’s strategy, ensuring teams, suppliers, technology and processes are effective, appropriately resourced and provide value.
Set and deliver IT and digital strategy, plans, policies, programmes and operating approaches to meet business objectives.
Ensure the security, integrity and resilience of ONR’s information systems, communications, equipment, data, back-up and disaster recovery arrangements.
Maintain the right balance of in-house and outsourced services, building effective strategic relationships with suppliers and stakeholders to support ONR’s objectives.
Build organisational capability through leadership, coaching, succession planning and effective deployment of resources across the IT Directorate.
Support the organisation through business partnering, collaboration, governance and operational efficiency, working with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to identify issues and agree action.
Promote an inclusive and respectful culture by modelling inclusive behaviours, valuing diverse perspectives, addressing non-inclusive behaviour and fostering fairness and belonging.
Ensure staff comply with key policies, procedures, guidance and mandatory training, and role model health, safety and wellbeing through visible leadership and commitment to ONR’s safety culture.
Accountabilities
As a member of SLT, and through attendance at Board and committees as required, you will contribute to ONR’s enterprise leadership to ensure effective governance and strategic direction informed by ONR’s operating environment.
Lead and support change to optimise operations and improve value for money.
Ensure the team delivers high-quality functional and cross-functional service aligned to ONR’s principles and culture.
Set IT team goals aligned to business priorities.
Person Specification
Essential qualifications
Postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in Information Technology / Computer Science or a related discipline or the equivalent professional experience within this field.
Chartered membership of a relevant, recognised professional body
Essential Skills/Job Related Expertise
A seasoned technology and IT leader with extensive experience operating at a senior level, contributing effectively to organisational direction as part of a leadership team. Brings strong leadership capability aligned to core values, with a proven ability to manage, influence, and develop teams by fostering a high-performance environment that offers both support and challenge.
Extensive experience in strategic planning and the successful delivery of IT initiatives, combined with strong expertise in managing outsourced technology providers. Possesses broad knowledge of IT systems and software, with the capability to oversee end‑to‑end technology operations. Highly experienced across the full software development lifecycle and best practices, with a proven ability to simplify complex challenges and drive clear, effective solutions.
Extensive experience in developing and maintaining strong relationships with senior stakeholders, with a proven ability to influence and build credibility with colleagues, external partners, and leadership teams. Demonstrates consistent success in fostering trusted, collaborative relationships that support effective decision-making and organisational outcomes.
Ability to communicate complex concepts concisely with maturity, gravitas and presence with high levels of emotional intelligence.
Demonstrates strong ability to lead and develop IT teams through continuous improvement and transformational change, with proven success in delivering infrastructure and software development projects. Consistently achieves enhanced organisational performance while fostering innovation and effectively navigating change.
Demonstrates strong decision-making capabilities by leveraging subject matter expertise and evidence to provide clear recommendations to the CEO, Board, and committees. Brings a logical, purposeful approach with high motivation, resilience, and a positive attitude, maintaining composure and sound judgement under pressure. Acts as a trusted advisor and collaborative team player, committed to serving the public interest.
Desirable skills and experience
Experience working in both the Public and Private sectors.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Azure and O365 technologies.
Location / Travel
This post may be undertaken from a base at any one of ONR’s office locations (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London). If not Bootle based the successful candidate will need to be prepared to travel to Bootle on a frequent basis as well as potential other UK travel.
The successful applicant requires a full driving licence which permits the holder to drive in the UK unless reasonable adjustments can be made under the Equality Act 2010.
ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and / or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend some time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will collaborate with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must hold or be able to secure SC clearance.
