Deputy Chief Nuclear Inspector

Location: Bootle, London, or Cheltenham, with hybrid working arrangements in place

Salary: £Competitive + excellent benefits

Our mission is to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.

ONR is the UK s independent regulator for nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and conventional health and safety across 36 licensed nuclear sites. It ensures that the nuclear industry effectively controls hazards, maintains high standards, and continuously improves. ONR s work spans operating reactors, fuel cycle facilities, waste management, decommissioning, and new nuclear construction. It also regulates the transport of nuclear materials and oversees compliance with international safeguards. Transparency, accountability, and public confidence are central to ONR s regulatory approach.

The DCNI is a senior executive role reporting directly to the Chief Executive/Chief Nuclear Inspector and deputising for him when required. The DCNI collaborates with the Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs to engage with senior stakeholders domestically and internationally, supporting ONR s strategic goals. They contribute to strategy development, change management, and performance reporting, including the Annual Report and Accounts, the Chief Nuclear Inspector s report and Review of Regulation reports.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading ONR s Regulatory Directorates, setting strategic regulatory objectives and ensuring effective delivery and enforcement
• Oversight of ONR s regulatory approach, particularly in response to changes in the nuclear landscape.
• Undertaking resource planning, governance, risk management, and assurance across regulatory divisions
• Act as line manager to the Directors of Regulation.

We are looking for an exceptional individual who has gained substantial experience in the UK nuclear, related or regulatory industries, strategic leadership, change management, and stakeholder engagement. Strong communication, integrity, and decision-making abilities are critical, as is a commitment to ONR s values: supportive, open-minded, fair, and accountable.

To apply

Please do not apply directly to the Office for Nuclear Regulation but instead, through our retained recruitment partner Hays Executive.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation would welcome applications for this opportunity from experienced professionals from the nuclear, related or regulatory industries. Your background is not important to us. You will have the requisite demonstrable experience, skills and resilience as well as the relationship building and inspirational leadership capabilities to undertake this challenging strategic regulatory leadership role in the nuclear arena and deliver it successfully.

It s a very exciting time for the Office for Nuclear Regulation. If you would like to make a valuable contribution to the future of the organisation, we would like to hear from you.

To confidentially discuss the role in further detail or request a copy of the Candidate Brief, please contact Wendi Wang at Hays Executive.

Wendi Wang

Hays Executive

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Campaign dates

Closing date: 25th November 2025

First round of interviews: 2nd & 3rd December 2025

Shortlist assessment: Week commencing 8th December 2025

ONR interviews: Week commencing 15th December 2025

The above dates are subject to change