Executive Opportunities

If you are interested in a role that you understand Russell Reynolds Associates may be handling but do not see this listed below, please contact us at responses@russellreynolds.com and we will direct your query to the responsible consultant.

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)
Director General, Core Delivery

United Kingdom
P2405-033L

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) is proud to deliver world-class equipment and support services to the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. We play a critical role in keeping our nation safe and prosperous, making sure the front-lines have the right kit at the right time. As an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence, we negotiate and manage defence contracts on behalf of the UK Armed Forces. From fighter jets to food deliveries, from patrol boats to protective clothing, we deliver effective and innovative kit to our front-line forces, swiftly and safely. Our teams make sure every item is properly sourced, stored and maintained, and every contract represents value for money for the taxpayer. We are also responsible for decommissioning and disposal when equipment reaches the end of its service life.

DE&S is seeking to appoint a Director General, Core Delivery to take on a unique challenge at the heart of UK Defence. This role is one of the most complex roles in Government and across the UK. It is responsible for almost a thousand projects, with a lifetime value of over £100bn.  It includes more major programmes than any other organisation in the whole of the UK.  It leads an internal team of over 8,000 specialists, who drive delivery across a Defence-Industrial base of over 150,000 people and manages over £13bn of defence procurement spend per annum on behalf of the Front-Line Commands through contracts across the UK and Allied defence industries.  This role ensures DE&S operates in the most operationally efficient manner possible, whilst delivering 100s of millions of inventory items to frontline users around the world for the UK and its Allies each year.

DE&S has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please review the position specification below.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 on Sunday, 26 January 2025.

Position Specification

Department for Work and Pensions
Chief Digital Information Officer

United Kingdom
2412-048L

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. DWP touches the lives of every citizen in the country at some point in their life.

In DWP we are proud of the service we provide to some of the most vulnerable people in our society, at often the most difficult times in their lives.

We are already transforming our operations to implement the largest welfare reform programme in a generation and to provide better services for the public. We have the largest and most complex technology business in Western Europe, and we are currently looking to recruit a new Director General, Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO). The individual will lead a function of c.5,000 people, and will be a visible and credible Digital leader. They will lead the delivery of digital and information systems and services to 90,000 DWP colleagues and manage a budget of £1 billion in a sustainable and compliant manner.

Whoever takes this role needs to lead at scale, and work with both the executive team and across the department to provide digital solutions which improve performance. You will keep both the colleague and customers in mind, ensuring that the right processes, frameworks and technologies are designed and adopted to ensure that digital becomes ingrained in the business.

Going forward DWP will have a key role in delivering the government’s missions, with the department playing a pivotal role in enabling economic growth and expanding opportunity, whilst supporting priorities across other missions.

The Department for Work and Pensions has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please visit the Position Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 on Sunday 26th January 2025.

Position Specification

Nest Invest Ltd
Chair

United Kingdom
2409-082L

This is an exceptional opportunity to provide leadership to Nest Invest at a pivotal point in its evolution.

Nest is an award-winning workplace pension scheme, the largest in the UK with 13m members and £45bn AUM, with the purpose of ‘Building financial peace of mind for all’. Set up by Parliament to give every worker in the country somewhere to save, Nest is focused strongly on giving low and middle-income earners access to world-class investment outcomes and retirement solutions and a great, fully digital service at low cost. Nest is a profit for member organisation which uses all surpluses entirely in pursuit of its purpose.

Nest is forecast to have £100 billion of Assets under management by 2030, and double that by 2040. To reflect the rapid growth in assets the decision has been made to set up a unitary governing board for Nest Invest, with responsibility for the oversight of investment strategy and decision-making and the effective running of Nest Invest as a regulated company. The role is to be the inaugural Chair of this enhanced Nest Invest Board, with responsibility for playing a significant role in the retirement outcomes and financial well-being of millions of people in the UK and stewardship of an organisation of increasingly global significance.

As a purpose led organisation, the new Nest Invest Chair will need to be committed to Nest’s purpose, as well as the broader values and culture. Experience of building strong relationships with multiple stakeholders, and working in a low ego, collegiate way in the best interest of Nest’s members, will ensure success in this role. Relevant experience will include senior executive experience in the context of financial services which might include asset management, pensions/savings or long-term investing. Substantial non-executive experience will be required.

Nest has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. Nest is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture for all. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please review the Position Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 3 January 2025.

Position Specification

Ministry of Defence  
Managing Director, Warhead, Defence Nuclear Organisation

United Kingdom
P2410-199L

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) – consisting of over 800 personnel working across science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery and more – is responsible for provision of the nuclear deterrent. Additionally, it advises on policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.

The DNO sits within a wider enterprise known as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), which is the partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The DNE is comprised of the DNO, Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), the Royal Navy, UK Strategic Command and AWE plc (who, on the behalf of the DNO, are responsible for the management and operation of the AWE). Part of the DNO’s role is to ensure the provision of warheads for the deterrent: this involves managing both the current warhead programme as well as the replacement warhead. The DNO is currently seeking a new Managing Director, Warhead who will report to the Chief of Defence Nuclear. This is one of the most complicated and critical portfolios in government.

The successful candidate will need to be a highly motivated, collaborative leader who can drive both a team and a wider range of stakeholders at pace. Robust technical leadership, ideally with experience of highly-regulated sectors will be essential to that. Strong people skills, strategic thinking and clear communication are also key attributes. The post holder will need to represent their programme within the Ministry of Defence and wider government.

The Ministry of Defence has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please visit the Position Specification available below.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 on Wednesday 8th January 2025.

Position Specification