Deputy Director of Computing Programmes

As Deputy Director of Computing Programmes, you will be the trusted deputy to the Director of Computing Programmes, helping to shape and deliver one of the UK’s most exciting emerging computing portfolios at the intersection of fusion, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

This is a rare opportunity to help build and exploit SUNRISE and future large-scale AI/HPC capabilities while also helping to shape the Advanced Computing R&D portfolio that those facilities enable. You will play a central role in translating strategic ambition into delivery: ensuring that strategic computing capabilities are successfully established, integrated and exploited, while also working closely with Unit Heads, Programme Leaders and partners to develop, mature and deliver a high-impact research and innovation portfolio around them.

SUNRISE is a major strategic opportunity for UKAEA: a next-generation computing capability intended to accelerate the digitalisation of the UK’s fusion roadmap and create a powerful platform for advanced modelling, simulation and AI-enabled scientific discovery. For the right candidate, this is a chance to help shape not just a facility, but a wider national capability and the programmes, partnerships and ways of working that will define its success.

This role combines operational grip with intellectual range. You will lead the Computing Division’s delivery framework, covering governance, programme integration, operational assurance, performance oversight and decision support, while retaining real scope to help shape the direction of programmes, partnerships and future capability development. It is ideally suited to someone ambitious, mission-driven and excited by the chance to build, influence and leave a lasting mark.

Responsibility for enterprise IT operations, including corporate systems, end-user services, networks, identity and access management, cyber security, compliance and corporate platforms, sits with the Director of Computing Operations. While you will not manage these services directly, you will lead the integration of mission computing delivery, ensuring facilities such as SUNRISE and federated computing services align effectively with internal systems. Working closely with the Director of Computing Operations, who retains accountability for enterprise controls and compliance, you will build a high-trust partnership that ensures seamless, secure access from desktop environments to advanced supercomputing capability.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead delivery and exploitation of SUNRISE and future AI/HPC roadmap initiatives, translating strategy into execution across reliability, utilisation, adoption, service maturity, partner integration, KPI delivery and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Unit Heads, Programme Leaders and senior partners to shape and deliver a high-value R&D portfolio that makes full use of UKAEA’s advanced computing capabilities, balancing scientific ambition with operational reality.
• Help define and evolve the Computing Division’s programme landscape, identifying opportunities to strengthen coherence across facilities, research activity, partnerships, talent and future capability development.
• Run the Computing Division’s “operating system”, including portfolio cadence, integration, dependency management, risk and issue control, escalation and decision gating, ensuring pace, discipline and effective risk mitigation.
• Own portfolio performance and governance, including master RAG status, horizon scanning and production of clear, decision-grade reporting, while continuously improving governance artefacts, processes and frameworks.
• Deputise for the Director of Computing Programmes where required, providing leadership, continuity and sound judgement across a broad portfolio of strategic, technical and delivery matters.
• Ensure that SUNRISE and other advanced computing capabilities are effectively integrated into UKAEA’s wider operating environment, working in close partnership with the Director of Computing Operations and other key stakeholders.
• Support the development of external partnerships, collaborations and stakeholder relationships that strengthen the Computing Division’s impact, profile and long-term capability.
• Contribute to strategic planning, business case development and future capability roadmapping, helping to position the Division for long-term success.
• Foster a culture of delivery, collaboration, innovation and accountability across the portfolio, creating the conditions for teams and programmes to succeed.

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience in complex technical, scientific, digital, engineering or programme environments.
• Strong track record of translating strategic ambition into successful delivery across multiple workstreams, with clear evidence of programme leadership, operational grip and execution.
• Experience of shaping and leading complex portfolios that combine delivery, innovation, stakeholder engagement and organisational change.
• Ability to work credibly with senior technical leaders, Programme Leaders, Unit Heads and external partners, helping to shape direction as well as drive execution.
• Strong governance, planning and performance management capability, including risk, dependency, assurance and decision support in fast-moving environments.
• Excellent judgement and communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complexity, challenge constructively and provide clear advice at senior level.
• Demonstrable ability to build trusted, high-performing relationships across organisational boundaries and bring together diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
• Degree-qualified or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Desirable

• Experience in one or more of the following areas: high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, digital research infrastructure, scientific computing, major R&D programmes or advanced technical facilities.
• Understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with building and exploiting advanced computing capability in a research, industrial or national mission context.
• Experience of working in highly matrixed, mission-led or public-sector environments.
• Familiarity with major capital, infrastructure or transformation programmes.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity for an exceptional candidate to help shape a nationally significant computing and R&D portfolio at an early stage, with real scope to influence programmes, partnerships, capability development and long-term impact.

We are looking for someone motivated not simply by scale or seniority, but by the chance to build something important: to help create the capabilities, portfolio and operating environment that will accelerate fusion research and unlock wider scientific and technological value.

For the right person, this role offers an unusual combination of mission, freedom and responsibility: the opportunity to help deliver a major strategic capability, while also exercising real influence over the shape of the R&D portfolio, the evolution of programmes and partnerships, and the future direction of advanced computing at UKAEA. You will work with outstanding colleagues across one of the UK’s most exciting technical landscapes, with genuine scope to build, shape and leave a lasting mark.

Additional information

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

UKAEA's mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission.  We are under-represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.