Chief Operating Officer Full Time

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put out values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is to ensure leadership and effective delivery of core business operations, implementing improvements to business systems and supporting operational delivery across the Directorate. To achieve this, the COO will  drive and maintain the overall programme, performance, risk and financial position of the Directorate ensuring effective business delivery.

You will be the delegated budget holder for Equipment Plan (£250M annual) and Operating Expenditure (£20M annual) with responsibility for constructing taut and realistic budgets and exercising in-year financial control within agreed control totals.

• Develop and implement operational plans to drive and measure delivery and internal operational performance, holding Delivery Teams to account for individual and collective delivery performance on behalf of Chief Strategic Systems Executive
(CSSE).

• Provide cross-Directorate leadership building effective communications to drive forward engagement and retention. Deputising for the Director on day-to-day performance, leadership and delivery matters.

• Lead the central programming, planning and budgeting of the Trident Weapon System with US Government Officials, including compilation and agreement of the Joint Programme of Record as authorised by the Polaris Sales Agreement and Co-Chair
(with US Director level official) the US/UK Joint Program Finance Working Group.

• Lead scrutiny and assurance of Equipment Plan and Operating Expenditure costings ahead of Director level screening. Control in-year expenditure to maximise delivery whilst remaining within Corporate spending limits, including setting of spend priorities
across the Directorate to optimise the Strategic Weapon System Programme.

• Drive continuous improvement, embedding business change and Project Controls disciplines, supporting the development of a high performing team by promoting a learning culture, including working across the SDA P3M and SDA Portfolio Office.

• Assure and endorse Cat D & C investment cases (up to £100M), ensuring the submissions are robust, well planned, resourced to deliver and that risk is balanced and manageable, supporting the Pillar Leads.

• Ensure the governance framework across the Directorate operates effectively, including leading with the leadership of the CSSE Command Group and continuous improvement.

• Chair of the CSSE People & Culture board and leading across the CSSE Directorate for People resourcing (Recruitment), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Organisational Breakdown Structure (OBS), Diversity & Inclusion and ‘lived experience.

Please note that individuals should normally have been resident in the UK for five years preceding their application for DV clearance. For further information please follow this link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance.

Candidates for this role will be required to achieve ATOMIC and STRAP clearances as part of undertaking their role.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of leading and managing multi-disciplined teams delivering in a complex environment.
• Proven ability to lead and empower teams, through inclusive leadership, direction setting and performance management to ensure delivery outcomes.
• Experience of stakeholder management and collaboration to build and maintain productive relationships and agreements
• Proven experience of programme leadership inclusive of finance, risk, commercial management and governance
• Experience of building and maintaining high performing teams

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of managing and operating in an international environment
• Experience of central government communication procedures and influencing decision making
• Knowledge of the Polaris Sales Agreement
• Knowledge of the Trident / Deterrent Programme

Qualifications

• A recognised qualification in Programme/ Project Management or equivalent experience and/or membership of the Association for Project Management.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
• Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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