Role: Non-Executive Director x3

Closing Date: Midday, 9th May 2019

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the national laboratory responsible for nuclear fission R&D and independent science-based advice. It is wholly owned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It operates commercially, with an annual turnover of approx. £100m. Major clients include Sellafield Ltd, Ministry of Defence (MoD) and EDF Energy. It employs around 900 people, most of whom are highly qualified experts in a variety of scientific and technical disciplines.

Unusually for a national laboratory, NNL is self-financing. It reinvests its profit, referred to as Earnings to Reinvest, in its own R&D programme, updating and commissioning its facilities, and in maintaining critical parts of the UK's nuclear fission skill base, all of which benefit the wider UK nuclear industry. In support of this, NNL runs a Technical Advisory Board (TAB). The TAB consists of representatives from strategic partners, nationals' laboratories and universities as well as key customers. It provides advice on NNL's R&D strategy, its effectiveness, and the impact of NNL's science and technology programmes, including advice on reinvestment and R&D programmes

NNL supports national programmes delivered by MoD and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), and has played a key role in saving the tax-payer several billion pounds, as well as acting as increasing profits for others, and is an impartial expert advisor to the government on nuclear technical matters through the Nuclear Innovation and Research Office (NIRO).

NNL was created in 2009 and is owned and sponsored by BEIS, with the shareholder function being managed by UK Government Investments (UKGI).

NNL is currently going through a multi-year programme of Business Transformation as it adapts to the new opportunities of the evolving nuclear landscape.

The Non-Executive Directors should be senior leaders with an ability to demonstrate:

• Clear and effective influencing and communication skills, including an ability to contribute fully to Board discussions, challenge the Executive effectively but constructively, and communicate with a wide range of audiences
• Independent and strategic thinking with an ability to analyse complex issues and promote innovative thinking
• Team working and collaboration skills, including an ability to work together with other executives and non-executives in the organisation to solve problems collectively
• Results orientation and a willingness to look for solutions combined with a focus on targeted performance measurement
• Adaptability and pragmatism, including an ability to adapt quickly to fast moving situations

The three appointees will also need collectively to bring experience and knowledge covering the following seven areas. (It is not anticipated that candidates will individually be able to demonstrate competence in all seven areas):

• A deep and wide technical understanding of civil nuclear technology sufficient to act as a credible and authoritative chair of the NNL Technology Advisory Board. Such experience may have been gained in an academic or industry environment but with evidence of substantial interface with the commercial sector and government.
• A sound understanding of matters relating to nuclear safety and security, including familiarity with relevant legislation and regulations and/or experience of working in a highly regulated environment sufficient to act as a credible chair of the Assurance Advisory Board
• A deep and wide understanding of business/commercial activity gained in competitive markets, with in-depth experience of one or more of the following: the commercialising of technology; strategic planning; risk management; project management; and managing organisational and cultural change.
• A strong knowledge of finance backed by a relevant qualification, sufficient to act as a credible and authoritative chair of the relevant Committee(s).
• A strong background in HR with an ability to ensure that the organisation's key driver of success, namely its people, is taken seriously at board level, using their skills in remuneration, recruitment and development, human capital and corporate social responsibility; also appropriate experience to act as a credible and authoritative chair of the Remuneration Committee.
• Knowledge and experience of international nuclear fission organisations, policies and companies
• Capable of chairing the NNL board in the absence of the chair.