Title:  Senior Manager - Data Delivery and Partnering - NESO

About the Role

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is an independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system, but that’s not all we do. As the UK moves towards its 2050 net zero target, NESO has a vital part to play. We want to operate a zero-carbon electricity system some of the time by 2025 and run on clean green electricity all of the time by 2030. It’s an ambitious goal and it’s not too far away…and we can't get there without trusted and accessible data to drive the right outcomes, allowing our business and the industry the means to innovate and exploit this data to create new tools and insight that will enable decarbonisation.

We are seeking a highly skilled, passionate, and experienced Senior Manager of Data Delivery and Partnering to lead a team of data professionals responsible for delivering data capabilities and implementing data standards in partnership with internal stakeholders across the directorates in partnership with Digital, Data & Technology (DD&T) delivery teams, ensuring their energy-related data initiatives and challenges are addressed and needs met. The role holder will also engage with key industry bodies, representing NESO to support market initiatives that will provide the right data capabilities for  our external customers and drive the ambition of consistent data practices across the energy industry.

The role holder’s expertise in energy sector data will enable development and execution of the data partnership strategy across the business directorates, with excellent stakeholder management and communication skills to establish and manage the engagement model. The role holder will also be responsible provisioning of data services for NESO colleagues and for managing data literacy and upskilling and within NESO.

This role is based in Warwick or Wokingham. We offer hybrid flexible working between the office and home. We require at least 2 days in office per week and candidates must be willing to travel between our office locations in Great Britain.

If this role excites you and you don’t have all the knowledge or skillsets, we encourage you to apply, as additional support and/or training will be considered for the right applicant.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead a high performing team of data managers, data leads and data stewards to ensure full and active ownership of data workstream components of NESO project initiatives, developing and delivering the data requirements in line with data policies and standards, ensuring energy related data nuances are understood and addressed.
• Deliver hands-on management of data and partnership to business directorates to fulfil their operational and project responsibility to comply with data standards for data in their domains (data management, governance, cataloguing, monitoring, sharing, and improving the quality of their data.)
• Build and maintain strong, lasting relationships with stakeholders within Digital, Data & Technology as well as broader partnerships throughout NESO, to ensure their data needs are met and expectations are exceeded.
• Work with industry participants and directorates to understand strategic priorities, develop data strategies aligned to their goals.
• Manage the data services portal for stakeholders to access key information and assets related to data capabilities and offerings.
• Drive a Data Culture and Literacy programme to enhance the understanding of data concepts and ability to make the most of data across NESO.
• Provide data training capabilities for all NESO stakeholders, where deemed necessary to perform their data-related responsibilities.
• Deliver data-driven insights to the NESO Leadership Team to identify risks and efficiency opportunities.
• Ensure all risk and issues associated with the data-related activities from strategic programmes are managed appropriately with the right balance of risk vs benefit.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert with respect to data capabilities to support engagement across business initiatives

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 has: 

Requirements:

• BA/BS degree in a data or technical or related field or equivalent work experience in Data Management.
• Demonstrated success in senior leadership roles, with a strong strategic mindset and a proven track record of influencing outcomes in complex, high-profile settings.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Data Strategy, Data Management, Data Governance, and Data Analytics principles, with a preference for familiarity with methodologies like DAMA DMBOK, DCAM, CDMC, and related tools.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing new data management capabilities or driving improvements to existing capabilities.
• Experience in delivering large scale data programme initiatives and implementation of data capabilities, ensuring adherence to data standards and best practices necessary for data to be reliable and accessible to diverse audiences. Ability to work with third parties in the delivery of services, ensuring strong supplier management practices.
• Experience developing and implementing learning and training plans.
• Experience in developing engagement plans for adopt of new and enhanced services. including ability to deliver content that is engaging and understandable to broad audiences.
• Experience working in the energy sector and a strong understanding of required datasets.
• Strong understanding of energy industry challenges and the role data has in addressing the challenges.
• Proven experience of leading a team of high-performing individuals with the ability to develop talent and a performance management culture that drives value through employee engagement.
• Proven ability to build and sustain high-impact relationships with senior stakeholders, including Government officials, regulators, and industry leaders.
• Proven ability to drive changes in behaviour and influence skills, especially with regard to enabling culture change. Experience in storytelling techniques to drive compelling outcomes.
• Ability to lead and facilitate discussions across functional teams and resolve complex situations to develop practical solutions.
• Strong written, verbal and visual communication skills, with a proven ability to communicate complex information at an appropriate level for the audience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or equivalent data management certification

Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we’re committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment process where everyone can show their talents. We celebrate the difference that people can bring to our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds to build a workforce that feels valued and respected and represents the communities we serve.If this role sparks your interest but you’re not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you.

About What You'll Get

A competitive salary up to circa £100,000 – dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, a benefits allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance, 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 23/09/2025 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.

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.