The SDA Head of In Service Submarines (Hd ISM) has responsibility for submarine availability thereby ensuring that the SDA is able to continue to deliver the UK’s nuclear deterrent (Continuous at Sea Deterrent, CASD) and attack submarine capability (Submersible Ship Nuclear, SSN) operations.

Hd ISM will be responsible for managing a £400m (annual) programme primarily to deliver materially safe, available and capable SSBNs and SSNs to enable CASD and SSNs at High Readiness and above as required by the Submarine Acquisition Support Plan with Navy Command. Other responsibilities are detailed below. The role will be high profile and require engagement of senior stakeholders; influencing and making decisions commensurately. It will have significant impact on achievement of MOD objectives and hold considerable strategic importance for UK defence capability.

In uncertain times, maintenance of the CASD is the number one defence priority for the nation and Hd ISM can expect regular scrutiny of their performance at ministerial level. The ability to engage with stakeholders at the most senior levels, to inspire confidence and assurance in delivery of their key outputs, will be critical.

The successful appointee will drive continuous improvement and bring a renewed focus, energy and professionalism to the in service fleet, in an environment which has regular ministerial and public interest. Hd ISM will be a key member of the Director Submarine Readiness leadership group, a part of the SDA’s Senior Leadership Group (SLG) and have a responsibility to inspire people to achieve the SDA vision. This includes a commitment to improve the diversity of the SDA workforce.

Responsibilities

Authority:
ISM Head is authorised to engage with the following customers and stakeholders and to make decisions within their delegations to deliver the ISM Programme on behalf of DSR:
• All elements of the Submarines Delivery Agency (SDA) and its main customer in Navy Command (NC) Headquarters.
• All elements of the Submarine Enterprise Performance Programme (SEPP).
• Delegated authority to approve Business Cases and the commitment of ISM finance up to £10M subject to NC and DNO annual Spend Management Systems approvals.

Accountability:

• Delivery of materially safe, available and capable SSBNs and SSNs to enable CASD and SSNs at High Readiness and above as required by the Submarine Acquisition Support Plan with Navy Command.

• Deliver the NATO Submarine Rescue Service (NSRS), a UK, French and Norwegian project, to provide a submarine rescue capability at notice to move.

• Whole Boat Approving Authority, including Platform, Nuclear propulsion, Trident Systems, Combat Systems for all In Service submarines.

• Platform Systems Approving Authority covering Submarines Systems, Propulsion, Electrical, Structures and Naval Architecture.

• Superintending the delivery of all submarine engineering in HMNB Devonport, Defence Royal Dockyard Limited (DRDL) and HMNB Clyde

• Contract managing the DRDL current nuclear site infrastructure and enabling capabilities to support delivery of submarine deep maintenance projects.

• Programme Director for the Maritime Support Delivery Framework (MSDF) contract with Babcock Marine and BAE Systems to deliver Naval Base Services, Surface Ship Fleet Time and Upkeep Engineering and Submarine Fleet Time Engineering and Design Services Support.

• To deliver the Future Maritime Support Programme Submarine Engineering Lot, replacing MSDF, to deliver all submarine Fleet Time and Deep Maintenance projects and sustain industry owned waterfront submarine infrastructure and enabling capabilities.
In addition to the accountabilities listed above, the post holder is required to complete the following principal tasks:
a. Platform Authority for all in service submarines (Trafalgar, Astute, and Vanguard Class)
b. Operating Duty Holder for NATO Submarine Rescue System
c. Duty Holder to the Nuclear Reactor Plant Authorisee.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate experience against the following essential criteria:

– Leadership experience managing complex, multidisciplinary teams through delivery of capital programmes and projects in high hazard, high consequence, safety critical, regulated environments
– Experience delivering and embedding sustainable improvement, preferably through formal change or transformation programmes.
– Successful track record of engaging with and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders including customers, regulators and senior industry representatives. Ideally, the candidate will have experience of managing outsourced delivery with strategic partners.
– Experience developing talent, particularly engineers, across organisations.