Title:  Network Design Policy and Compliance Manager

About the role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) are now looking for a Network Design Policy and Compliance Manager to be a part of our Strategic Energy Planning (SEP). Strategic Energy Planning (SEP) is accountable for leading the development of an economic and efficient Electricity Transmission network across Great Britain and Europe, covering both offshore and onshore infrastructure.  SEP supports both Electricity Network Strategy and Electricity Network Design and Delivery, enabling customers to deliver a network that meets GB's Net Zero targets.

The Network Design Strategy and Delivery team will shape both the long-term and short-term strategy of the electricity transmission network. You will lead a high-performing team responsible for driving innovation through research and policy development, establishing robust design methodologies, and ensuring the organisation is equipped with the capabilities needed for future challenges.  Through global benchmarking and continuous improvement, you will steer your team to ensure the network remains resilient, efficient, and future-ready.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

About us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

Your energy, our future, together.

About the National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.  

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Key Accountabilites

• Create a high performing culture where every team member is fully engaged and knows the value they create for the organisation
• Contribute to the development and progression of the Electricity Network Design & Delivery function by being a fully active member of the Strategic Energy Planning leadership team
• Create a strong and close relationship with all relevant stakeholders and customers (internal and external)
• Develop your team members to drive performance and to create a strong career path and progression

Lead a team that is accountable for:  

• Strategy: Understand emerging technologies, future network needs, and network plans and develop long- and short-term network design strategies (build and non-build) engaging external stakeholders where required. 
• Policy: Develop technical standards and policy for future network development e.g. Electricity Transmission Design Principles, network design guidance, and support development of design methodologies
• Capability development: Develop required future capability across the design & delivery teams 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Lead communication of insights and recommendations to customers (including connections) 
• Tracking: Track customer/connections delivery, and feed into the Network Plan Delivery team to support with overall delivery tracking 
• Strategic Network Compliance: Demonstrate compliance in network plans (thermal, voltage, stability). 
•  Identify technical and commercial challenges associated with design and support resolution with network plan delivery team 
• Lessons learned: Capture customer feedback and technological issues to inform future policy improvement

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Passionate about the UK’s energy transition and the role of electricity networks in achieving net-zero, engineering excellence and innovation in network design, developing people and fostering a high-performance culture
• Experience of leading technical teams in electricity transmission or a similar regulated infrastructure environment, engaging with external stakeholders such as BEIS, Ofgem, and industry bodies, contributing to public consultations and regulatory processes
• Solid experience of using Network design rules and technical standards, engineering tools and methodologies for network planning and design, communication strategies to convey technical information to non-engineers 

About what you'll get

A competitive salary between £66,000 - £78,000 per annum dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

More information

This role closes on 7th September 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Interviews will be held w/c 22nd September 2025.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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