Office For Nuclear Regulation (ONR) – Non-Executive Director

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is a public corporation sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). ONR is responsible for the regulation of nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards, and nuclear site health and safety across the UK.

ONR’s vision is to be a modern, transparent regulator delivering trusted outcomes and value. The nuclear landscape ONR regulates is changing at pace. In January 2024, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published the Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050 and ONR is now working with them on how nuclear will be part of the overall net zero ambition.

DWP is seeking a Non-Executive Director with a range of established skills and competences to contribute to ONR’s strategic direction to 2030 and beyond, to drive regulatory excellence and to oversee the organisation’s governance arrangements.

This will be a public appointment made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for a fixed term of between three and five years. Reappointment may be considered, subject to the individual's performance, but this will be the exception rather than the rule. The successful candidate is expected to take up appointment from June 2025.

The Role of a Non-Executive Director at ONR

The successful candidate will contribute to the Board’s role in leading the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to achieve its vision to be a modern, transparent regulator delivering trusted outcomes and value. Key responsibilities for this role include:

• Helping lead the work of ONR by operating effectively as a Board Member with particular expertise in human resource organisational development and by contributing to Board meetings and discussions.
• Participation as chair or member of one or more of the Board’s standing Committees, as required by the ONR Chair and subject to relevant skill sets. This will include the relevant expertise to Chair the ONR Remuneration and Resilience Committee.
• Maintaining effective working relationships with a broad range of networks and stakeholders.
• Representing ONR externally, acting collectively in representing its decisions to stakeholders and the general public.
• Demonstrating a commitment to the Seven Principles of Public life.

Essential Criteria

We are seeking candidates with the right skills and abilities to complement the existing Board members and who will be able to contribute across the Board’s remit. The successful candidates will need to demonstrate:

• Ability to contribute effectively and strategically to Board activity, challenging and supporting the executive team to lead the organisation working collegiately with the Chair and other NEDs.
• Ability to influence, build consensus and communicate with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to test and analyse complex issues, evaluate proposals, and address risk.
• Proven knowledge and experience in human resources including organisation development and business change transformation.

Desirable Criteria

• Candidates to have knowledge of, or a willingness to develop, an understanding of the policy and political environment within which the public sector operates whilst being clear on their non-executive role to support the nuclear regulator’s priorities.
• Knowledge of the environment within which the public sector operates or a willingness to develop this.