ASTRAEA Delivery Lead - Programme Manager

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Location:

RG7 4PR
, located between Reading and Basingstoke.

Package: £90,000 - £120,000 – will depend on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience. Package will also include a discretionary performance related bonus + £2,520 credit in AWE’s voluntary benefits portal.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

We’re looking for an exceptional Programme Manager to take ownership of the country’s high‑profile, high‑complexity Delivery workstream within the ASTRAEA programme. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the initiatives shaping the future of our organisation and the next generation of the nation’s nuclear capability.

You will be accountable for driving end‑to‑end product delivery, ensuring that complex, multi‑disciplinary solutions are defined, developed, and delivered to the highest standards. This means orchestrating delivery across technical, operational, and organisational boundaries, and ensuring that products meet strategic intent, user needs, and regulatory expectations.

If you thrive on delivering meaningful outcomes, influencing at senior levels, expertly governing and leading programme & product delivery, and developing high‑performing teams through complex change, this is your stage.

You’ll be accountable for delivering major projects as a programme of works within the ASTRAEA programme. The mission is to deliver our nations next generation weapons programme on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards. You’ll set the strategic direction, drive milestone and budget achievement, define delivery parameters, engage internal and external stakeholders and ensure the business case translates into real, measurable benefits within the Delivery Workstream into our customer.

• Drive milestone and budget achievement.
• Provide inspirational leadership and product delivery in a complex environment.
• Shape strategic goals and turn them into clear operational plans.
• Lead, coach, and develop senior leaders across the delivery team.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders at every level, inside and outside the organisation.
• Own the business case and ensure benefits are realised and measured.
• Maintain robust governance and a risk‑based assurance approach.
• Ensure alignment with organisational priorities and elevate key issues when needed.
• Oversee strategic risks, resources, and financial controls.
• Promote a culture of high performance, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to inspire, motivate and engage widely across the business.
• You will be part of a wider ASTRAEA management team with overall collective responsibility for the end product success.

• Have a proven record of delivery in a highly regulated industry e.g., aerospace, defence, nuclear.
• Ideally, an engineering or manufacturing background.
• Strong strategic thinking and the confidence to influence at senior levels.
• A collaborative leadership style that brings out the best in people.
• A commitment to excellence in safety, security, quality, and delivery.
• Ideally a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), with Practitioner‑level accreditation (or above) through the Government Project Delivery Accreditation Scheme, and demonstrable evidence of relevant Project and Programme Management qualifications, or a commitment to achieving these within 12 months.

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9‑day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory…