Job Purpose

National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) keeps the lights on for Great Britain. We move electricity around the grid to ensure supply meets demand every second of every day. Bay that’s not all we do. As the UK moves towards its 2050 net zero target, the ESO 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 2035. It’s an ambitious goal and it’s not too far away…

Later this year the ESO will transition to become the National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. NESO will be the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s energy infrastructure and operating the electricity system. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

We are seeking a senior manager to lead engagement across our strategic energy planning (SEP) projects and our engagement in Wales. The role requires a strong leader with extensive experience of developing and leading delivery of stakeholder engagement strategies in a complex stakeholder environment, building relationships and engaging at a range of levels internally and externally, and expert knowledge of the Welsh political environment and institutions. We would ideally like the successful candidate to be a Welsh speaker. In return you will have the opportunity to lead engagement on the development of plans that will shape energy infrastructure for years to come and embed the NESO as a trusted partner in Wales.

This role will be based in Cardiff (home based until the Cardiff office opens), 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

As Great Britain’s electricity system operator (ESO), we sit at the heart of the electricity system, using our outstanding engineering and commercial expertise to balance electricity supply and demand. Ultimately, we keep the electricity flowing directly to where it’s needed, second by second.

Becoming the National Energy System Operator

In Summer of 2024, the ESO will transition to becoming the National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator will be 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, will be 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 will be 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 the ESO are today, 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 Accountabilities

• Provide strategic advice to SEP leaders on society, industry and community stakeholders, including how project decisions impact the delivery of the wider programme.
• Lead the stakeholder and engagement activities across SEP with the support of manager leads from each project, ensuring strong, appropriate and consistent engagement across all of our strategic energy planning activities to ensure that the key messages of NESO are understood by external stakeholders and their views are heard inside SEP.
• Represent SEP in external industry and societal events.
• Lead NESO Public Affairs engagement in Wales working to build strong and trusted relationships play a key part in enhancing the reputation of NESO in Wales and beyond
• Enhance external engagement in Wales with policymakers and energy industry players, representing NESO in a wide range of senior engagement activities.
• Provide senior leadership within the NESO Cardiff office, once opened, ensuring the culture aligns with the NESO values.
• Manage and lead Wales-based stakeholder managers across relevant teams in the NESO in a matrix organisation.

About you

What we do isn’t just important – it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Advocating and influencing stakeholders and governments.
• Designing and leading delivery of high-quality stakeholder engagement strategies in complex stakeholder environments.
• Developing effective collaborations and partnerships, building a relationship of trust with customers and stakeholders.
• Working with and influencing key internal stakeholders in a large, complex organisation, working in a collaborative manner to reach shared objectives.
• A broad understanding of the whole energy sector, energy- and climate-related public policy and the wider decarbonisation agenda.
• Expert knowledge of the Welsh political environment and Welsh institutions.
• Understanding of politics of energy in Wales

They need to be:

• An experienced leader who can coach, motivate, support and inspire direct and indirect teams and create an inclusive and welcoming environment
• An exceptional communicator who can distil a wide range of complex topics and issues in a clear and concise manner to multiple audiences
• Welsh speaker (would be advantageous)

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £71,000 - £89,000 per annum – dependent on capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a company car or 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%.

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 26th August 2024 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.

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