Facilities & Business Support Manager

The 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) prototype 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 Industrial Fusion Solutions 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. 

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 

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

The salary for this role is £44,290.

This position is to be based at Culham, Oxfordshire. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

For more information on UKFE, visit: https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf 

Reporting to the STEP Programme Operations Manager, you will lead facilities, administration, and business support services across a fast-growing, high-impact programme.

You’ll manage a small but critical team, overseeing office operations, facilities, budgets, and programme coordination, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so our technical teams can focus on delivering breakthrough innovation.

This is a high-visibility role, working closely with the Programme Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

Key responsibilities:

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop and line manage a team delivering facilities and administrative services
• Build capability through training, clear processes, and effective workload planning
• Coordinate programme-wide administrative activities and business support

🏢 Facilities & Office Management

• Oversee day-to-day management of STEP office environments and buildings
• Ensure safe, efficient, and effective workplace practices
• Act as key interface with internal facilities teams and external partners
• Support planning and delivery of new buildings and workspace fit-outs

📅 Programme & Executive Support

• Oversee business calendar planning and coordination of key meetings
• Ensure smooth delivery of programme events, visits, and inductions
• Support senior stakeholders, including Director-level diary coordination

💬 Communications & Collaboration

• Enable clear, consistent internal communications across the programme
• Work with communications teams to maintain accessible and up-to-date resources

💻 Systems, Data & Ways of Working

• Manage document control and programme data systems
• Drive improvements in processes, digital tools, and hybrid working practices
• Contribute to business continuity and recovery planning

💰 Budget & Procurement

• Manage an administration budget (~£300k) with strong financial oversight
• Track spend vs forecast and ensure value for money
• Coordinate procurement and supplier activities

We’re looking for a proactive, organised and collaborative leader who thrives in a complex programme environment.

✅ Essential experience

• Experience managing office operations and/or facilities
• Proven team leadership and line management experience
• Budget management responsibility
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• High level of IT literacy (MS Office and digital tools)
• Experience supporting senior leadership teams
• Ability to prioritise, delegate, and manage competing demands

➕ Desirable

• Data analysis / advanced Excel skills
• Knowledge of project management approaches or methodologies

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. 

UKFE 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.  

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.  Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future.  If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKFE.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.  

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.  We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.