Group Leader Operational Readiness & Transition

## Group Leader Operational Readiness & Transition Apply remote type:
Hybrid locations:
Reading areatime type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date:
August 3, 2026 (13 days left to apply) job requisition :
R29453
** 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.
**** Operational Readiness and Transition (ORT) Group Leader
***
* Location:

** RG7 4PR
, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
** Package:** £87,000 to £97,000
** 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. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
As Operational Readiness and Transition (ORT) Group Leader, you will play an important role in enabling AWE’s major programmes and projects to achieve operational capability and transition successfully into service.
** Let us introduce the role
** This is a senior functional leadership role, responsible for shaping, driving and assuring AWE’s enterprise approach to operational readiness and transition. You will continue to develop and embed the ORT approach across the organisation, ensuring operational requirements are identified early, integrated throughout delivery life cycles, and effectively realised at transition to operations.

You will lead the ORT Group, including AWE’s Operational Readiness Managers (ORMs), and act as AWE’s functional authority for operational readiness and transition. You will own and maintain the ORT Concept, Policy, Strategy, Plans and Tools — including the Operational Readiness Review (ORR) process — ensuring coherence across Business Units and enabling functions, and alignment with regulatory and corporate policy expectations.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands‐on direction and assurance. You will oversee ORT‐related risks and issues, provide expert guidance to ORMs and senior stakeholders, and ensure consistent, high‐quality application of ORT across a complex programme and project portfolio.

Working closely with senior leaders, you will champion pan‐AWE integration, shape organisational performance, and drive continuous improvement in how operational capability is planned, delivered, commissioned and sustained.

This role requires a credible, confident leader with the judgement, technical insight and influence to strengthen operational readiness and transition capability across a demanding, highly regulated environment.
** Who are we looking for?
** We are seeking an experienced, forward‐thinking leader to own and lead AWE’s ORT function as it continues to mature and embed within the AWE operating model.

You will operate confidently at senior levels, influence across diverse stakeholder groups, and lead a high‐performing team within a complex programme, project and operational context.

You will bring strong practical delivery experience from a programme, project, capability management or operational background, with the ability to:
* Understand operational requirements in their broadest sense
* Integrate them effectively into delivery life cycles
* Maintain a consistent focus on transition into service

Your experience will demonstrate sound judgement, the ability to interpret complex and technical information, and the confidence to make, challenge and inform decisions that improve delivery outcomes.

You will be an engaging and collaborative leader, able to work effectively across Business Units, other Users and enabling functions, and to build productive relationships with external partners and communities of practice. You will be an accomplished communicator, credible advisor, and trusted leader of ORMs operating across the enterprise.

You will be able to assimilate the breadth and scale of AWE’s portfolio, plan and prioritise ORT support accordingly, shape doctrine, policy and process, and provide clear direction and assurance to ORMs working at the front line of delivery.

If you thrive in complexity, enjoy working across organisational boundaries,…