IT Director

Role overview

The Office for Nuclear Regulation is seeking an IT Director to provide senior leadership across information systems, technology, and governance. Reporting to the Finance Director, the post holder will steer the IT Directorate so that ONR’s technology strategy is delivered in a coordinated, efficient, and professional way, aligned to ITIL and COBIT standards. The role is responsible for ensuring the organisation’s IT environment is secure, dependable, cost-effective, and suitable for business needs, while managing suppliers to deliver a smooth and good-value service.

Key responsibilities

• Guide the IT Management Team in delivering ONR’s strategy, making sure teams, vendors, technology, and operating processes are effective, appropriately staffed, and deliver value.
• Shape and execute IT and digital strategy, including plans, policies, programmes, and operational methods that support business goals.
• Safeguard the security, reliability, integrity, and resilience of ONR’s systems, communications, devices, data, backups, and disaster recovery arrangements.
• Maintain an effective mix of internal and outsourced services, and build strong strategic partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders to support organisational objectives.
• Develop capability across the directorate through leadership, coaching, succession planning, and smart use of resources.
• Work in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team to improve governance, resolve issues, and increase operational efficiency through collaboration and business partnering.
• Champion an inclusive, respectful workplace by demonstrating inclusive behaviours, valuing different viewpoints, addressing exclusion, and strengthening fairness and belonging.
• Ensure compliance with essential policies, procedures, guidance, and mandatory training, while setting the standard for health, safety, and wellbeing through visible leadership and a strong safety culture.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to enterprise leadership through Board and committee attendance where required, helping guide strategic direction and governance.
• Lead change initiatives that improve operations and deliver better value for money.
• Make sure the team provides high-quality functional and cross-functional services that reflect ONR’s principles and culture.
• Set team objectives that are clearly aligned to organisational priorities.

Essential qualifications and experience

The ideal candidate will hold a postgraduate degree, or an equivalent qualification, in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related subject, or have equivalent professional experience in the field. Chartered membership of a relevant recognised professional body is also required.

This is a senior technology leadership role for someone with substantial experience operating at executive level and contributing to organisational direction as part of a leadership team. You should be able to lead, influence, and develop teams effectively, creating a high-performance environment that balances support with challenge.

You will need deep experience in strategic planning and successful delivery of IT initiatives, along with strong knowledge of managing outsourced technology providers. A broad understanding of IT systems and software is essential, together with the ability to oversee end-to-end technology operations and the full software development lifecycle. You should be able to simplify complex problems and turn them into clear, practical solutions.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills are essential, including the ability to build trust and credibility with senior colleagues, external partners, and leadership teams. You must also be able to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, with maturity, confidence, emotional intelligence, and presence.

The role requires proven capability in leading IT teams through continuous improvement and transformational change, including infrastructure and software development projects. You should also demonstrate strong judgement and evidence-based decision-making, with the ability to advise the CEO, Board, and committees clearly and calmly under pressure, while remaining resilient, logical, and committed to the public interest.

Desirable experience

• Experience gained in both public-sector and private-sector environments.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Azure and O365 technologies.

Location and travel

This position may be based in Bootle, Cheltenham, or London. If the successful candidate is not based in Bootle, regular travel to Bootle will be required, along with possible travel elsewhere in the UK.

The post holder must hold a full UK driving licence, unless a reasonable adjustment can be made under the Equality Act 2010.

ONR uses a hybrid working approach, combining office-based and home-based working under its flexible working policy. Regular attendance in the office is expected so that some work can be carried out face to face, with arrangements agreed between managers and teams to support collaboration, business needs, personal choice, and wellbeing.

Security and checks

The successful candidate must already hold, or be able to obtain, SC clearance. The role also requires a criminal record check, security check clearance, and baseline personnel security standard checks for those working with government assets. A medical check will also be required.

Terms and conditions

The salary package includes a competitive salary and a generous employer pension contribution to the Civil Service pension scheme. The organisation reviews future pay awards regularly and settles them through negotiation with Trades Unions and agreement from the Remuneration Committee.

ONR provides an occupational pension scheme with two options: a high-quality, index-linked defined benefit scheme with employee contributions and significant employer funding, or a stakeholder pension with a contribution from ONR based on age, plus matching contributions of up to an additional 3% of pay if the employee chooses to contribute.

Additional benefits include flexible working arrangements, 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays and one privilege day each year, generous maternity, paternity, adoption and carers leave, and Occupational Health Services including counselling.

Inclusion and values

ONR is committed to building an inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued. The organisation recognises contributions regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. Its values of being supportive, open-minded, fair, and accountable sit at the heart of the culture, alongside a commitment to capability, resilience, wellbeing, and excellence.

Artificial intelligence guidance

AI tools may be used to support an application, but every example and statement submitted must be truthful, accurate, and based directly on the applicant’s own experience. If plagiarism is identified, including the use of AI-generated content presented as personal experience, applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may face disciplinary action.

Selection process

Applicants are to apply directly through the provided recruitment route. Feedback will only be given to candidates who reach interview or assessment. Once the job closes, the advertisement will no longer be accessible, so applicants may wish to keep a copy for their records.

Nationality and civil service information

This opportunity is open only to UK nationals. It is not regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service also operates a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. More information is available through Civil Service diversity and inclusion resources.

Contact information

Job and recruitment enquiries should be directed to [email protected].

Further information

Complaints, concerns, and whistleblowing information can be found via ONR’s whistleblowing and concerns channel.