Title: Energy Policy Senior Manager - NESO
Wokingham, GB, RG41 5BN
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.
In working closely with government, the regulator and industry, NESO draws on its expertise and experience as the independent system operator and planner to advise Government, Ofgem and industry on the energy transition; we wish to ensure it is optimal and deliverable and that plans can drive rapid progress across all energy vectors and in all sectors of the economy. NESO provides independent whole energy insights, supporting industry with optimal decision making and strategic direction.
This senior policy manager role sits in the Energy Policy team, part of NESO’s Strategy and Policy Directorate, established to bridge the gap between the deep system expertise of NESO and policy makers and influencers. The successful candidate will lead development of NESO positions on critical strategic energy policy questions. Success in this role will depend on collaboration with teams across NESO and the wider sector. Strong influencing skills and credibility are essential to maintain NESO’s position as a trusted strategic partner to the Government, Ofgem, and industry.
This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, or 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.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead and contribute to the development of strategically important policy insights and positions, addressing complex challenges and opportunities in the energy industry, and support senior decision-making in NESO, Government, and the wider industry
- Scope and develop advice, analysis and information to Government and Ofgem in support of GB energy system objectives, drawing on NESO expertise to influence and guide policy development in line with NESO duties. This includes governance of the advice process.
- Represent NESO in key forums to share whole energy system knowledge.
- Develop and maintain digital and interpersonal processes to promote policy coordination across NESO, sharing insights on strategy, policy, regulatory developments, promoting best practice and enhancing NESO policy expertise.
- Forge and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders across all business areas encouraging collaboration and a holistic approach to insight development and breaking down silos.
- Provide positive and ambitious senior leadership in Energy Policy, within the Strategy & Policy Directorate, and across wider NESO
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 with:
Knowledge
- In-depth knowledge of the GB energy policy landscape, political structures and processes.
- Understanding of the energy sector including knowledge of the structure, regulatory environment and the short- and long-term issues affecting the industry.
Experience
- Significant experience in the energy sector ideally with a focus on whole energy or net zero. Deep expertise in electricity policy will be valuable to complement existing team experience in molecules policy.
- Demonstrable experience of building relationships with a range of stakeholders including in Government, regulatory bodies and industry. You will be comfortable working across organisational boundaries to deliver common goals.
- Proven experience in senior management roles in the utilities sector or a similar industry.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
Skills
- Strategic thinking: You think holistically about challenges and opportunities of the GB energy transition. You can distil your thinking into frameworks that support policy positions and critical decision-making of senior leaders.
- Programme and project management. You comfortable operating in a project-based environment and developing and implementing wide ranging work programmes with effective risk and dependency management, including at pace.
- Stakeholder management: Your strong engagement skills enable you to see the bigger picture and approach a problem from several different perspectives. You can extract information from busy individuals and build relationships that facilitate knowledge sharing.
- Effective communication: You are a great communicator, both in writing and articulation, capable of conveying complex ideas in a simple way. You can “speak the language” of energy and communicate and influence effectively at any level, making sure your insights resonate with a broad audience.
- Structured problem solver: You excel in structured problem solving and are motivated to create order out of chaos and simplify complex issues. You are skilled at driving progress and operationalising solutions.
- Analytical skills: You can convert quantitative and qualitative information into valuable insights and analyses for a diverse range of stakeholders.
About What You'll Get
A competitive salary between £80,000 - £90,000 – dependent on capability.
As well as your base salary, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance, a benefits allowance, private medical insurance, 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%.
You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.
About Us
Traditionally, Britain’s energy system has been split into two areas – gas and electricity – but to ensure that Britain’s energy system is secure and affordable there needs to be co-ordination across the whole energy system, with one single entity responsible for translating policy into immediate strategy. National Energy System Operator (NESO) will bring unparalleled change.
Forge a path to a sustainable future for everyone.
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.
More Information
This role closes on 3rd September 2025, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
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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