Senior Governance & Assurance Manager
Bring rigour, challenge and confidence to AWE's most important commercial decisions
At AWE, commercial assurance is not theoretical. It safeguards national safety.
We're looking for an experienced commercial assurance professional to lead the hands‑on assurance of complex, high‑value commercial cases, providing independent challenge, clarity and confidence to senior decision‑makers across the organisation.
This role sits at the heart of our Commercial function, working directly with delivery teams, senior leaders and external stakeholders to assure that commercial strategies, business cases and sourcing decisions are robust, compliant and deliver value for money in a highly regulated environment.
If you enjoy getting into the detail, asking difficult questions, and forming clear, evidence‑based assurance views under pressure, this role offers challenge, influence and genuine purpose.
Package: £63,270 to £85,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).
Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Please note that AWE is undergoing a transformation with this Job description subject to change, however the description in this advert is a true reflection of the enduring role profile.
The role at a glance
Senior assurance role within AWE's Commercial function
Primary responsibility for assuring live and emerging commercial cases
Direct input into CRB, Exec and external assurance forums
Close engagement with delivery teams, commercial leads and programme sponsors
Focus on application of governance, not ownership of frameworks
This role focuses on assurance delivery and judgement, operating within governance and assurance frameworks set centrally.
Ready to play your part?
At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. As the Senior Governance & Assurance Manager, you will sit within the Commercial function and focus on governance and assurance at a C2 level.
What you'll be responsible for
Case assurance & independent challenge
Lead assurance of complex, high‑value commercial cases across SOC, OBC and FBC stages, testing:
Strategic need and scope
Sourcing and commercial options
Affordability, value for money and risk
Deliverability and enduring performance management arrangements
Assure pre‑sourcing and sourcing strategies, tender packs, contract award recommendations and significant contract amendments.
Evidence‑based assurance for decision‑makers
Form and articulate clear, proportionate assurance views supported by evidence and traceability.
Provide concise, board‑ready assurance commentary to support decision‑making at CRB, Exec Board and external review forums (including MOD, DNO and HM Treasury where required).
Identify, assess and escalate commercial risks and issues, promoting mitigations and informed trade‑offs.
Application of rules, policy and best practice
Apply procurement regulations, defence exemptions, security requirements and intellectual property considerations to assurance activity.
Use sound commercial judgement to distinguish between legislation, policy and best practice, helping delivery teams understand risks, options and consequences.
Assure value for money through a strong understanding of costs, risk and performance across complex supply chains, including NEC‑based contracting environments.
Insight, learning and improvement
Produce clear reporting on assurance activity, themes and areas of concern within your portfolio.
Promote lessons learned and improvements in commercial practice across AWE.
Support internal and external audits by providing assurance evidence and professional input as required.
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for someone who enjoys assuring rather than owning, who is comfortable forming an independent view and using evidence to challenge constructively at senior levels.
You'll be confident operating in complex environments, resilient under scrutiny, and motivated by improving the quality of commercial decision‑making.
We do need you to have the following:
Strong experience delivering commercial or business‑case assurance within a regulated public‑sector or complex commercial environment.
Hands‑on assurance experience across the commercial lifecycle, including pre‑sourcing, sourcing and contract amendment activity.
Proven ability to assess value for money, risk, affordability and commercial strategy, applying sound professional judgement.
Good understanding of public procurement regulations and commercial best practice, and how these apply in practice.
Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior colleagues.
Not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in:
Experience assuring SOC, OBC and FBC stage business cases using the HM Treasury Green Book and 5‑Case Model.
Experience operating in MOD or wider government environments.
Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and complex supply chains.
Experience supporting formal governance or commercial approval boards.
MCIPS (or willingness to work towards).
Experience embedding ESG or Social Value considerations into procurement or contract management assurance.
Work hard, be rewarded:
We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:
9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typically, 3 days onsite per week.
#LI-RS1
#LI-Hybrid