Job Purpose

Great Britain's energy system is undergoing an ambitious, exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.

The new Regional Energy Strategic Planning (RESP) team will for the first time join up local energy plans with national energy plans across all energy vectors. We are embedding a whole energy systems approach from the start, recruiting a diverse team made up of individuals with a wide range of skills and experience. For the first time in ESO we are setting up 11i regional teams to work with local stakeholders to develop Regional Energy Strategic Plans.

We are looking for two Head of Regions to join the RESP (Regional Energy Strategic Planning) leadership team. One role will lead the regions covering the North of GB (Midlands and above) and one will lead regions covering the South of Great Britain. The regions are described in the recent Ofgem consultation. Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy framework consultation | Ofgem

Location is flexible, but we would expect the Heads of Region to be based within one of the regions they are managing, 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 Autumn 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 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

• Set up and lead a group of regional teams (a team of 5 to 6 regional managers with an overall team size of ~50 FTE’s) ensuring teams are aligned to NESO’s vision and culture and the employee experience is consistent with the rest of NESO.
• Provide a coordination, consistency and best practice focus across regions.
• Be a part of the RESP leadership team representing regional views.
• Represent NESO and RESP at industry events and forums as required.
• Facilitate and, with Regional Managers, engage with industry stakeholders, particularly those spanning regions.

In the short term the successful candidates will lead on the regional capabilities required by RESP and the recruitment, onboarding and training of regional teams such that the regional teams are able to successfully deliver the first regional energy strategic plans.

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:

• Significant leadership experience; working with geographically dispersed teams and experience of setting up and developing new teams would be an advantage.
• Leadership experience in the energy industry with a focus on local energy planning, electricity or gas distribution networks an advantage.
• An understanding of the landscape for local energy planning and how it applies to the energy networks.
• Significant experience of communicating with, and influencing, internal and external stakeholders through a range of media.
• A track record of successfully leading complex projects managing a range of stakeholders with different views.
• Strong communication skills with an ability to translate complex information into easily understandable messaging.
• An inquisitive mind with the ability to join the dots and a willingness to learn about new areas of work.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £80,000 - £100,000 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 9th September 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.

#LI-EM1