About the role

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

A new Hydrogen Policy team is being set up to enable NESO to be a valued strategic partner to Government, Ofgem and Industry in developing hydrogen as a strategic net zero energy vector for Great Britain, with significant scale up by 2030.

As Hydrogen Policy and Programme Manager, the successful candidate will ensure that NESO is playing its part in the delivery of the Government’s hydrogen strategy and that its position on critical hydrogen questions can be translated into policy influence. Success will be dependent on collaboration with teams across NESO and the wider sector including Government and Ofgem. Demonstrable programme and policy skills will be critical in increasing influence and establishing NESO as an independent and credible voice in the ongoing debate around the role of hydrogen in a net zero energy system, and its wider opportunities and impacts.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow or London, 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

• Work with local colleagues and cross-NESO teams to develop strategic hydrogen insights and provide advice to Government/Ofgem at their request. This will include developing timely policy recommendations and solutions, encouraging policy that is fit for purpose and drives progress towards net zero.
• Lead research and monitor strategy, policy, regulatory developments impacting the hydrogen sector (across value chain), sharing widely with colleagues.
• Work with energy modellers and data scientists to understand their findings and translate these into clear evidence-based hydrogen insights, ensuring the information is grounded in sound research and data, and can be used to inform policy.
• Support Whole Energy insight and policy development by providing hydrogen policy expertise and challenge, drawing on the knowledge of your network.
• Forge strong and credible relationships with internal stakeholders across relevant business areas, encouraging collaboration and a holistic approach to policy development whilst avoiding the creation of silos.
• Build relationships with a wide range of government and regulatory stakeholders focussed on hydrogen and its role in a net zero energy system.
• Monitor work across the NESO Hydrogen portfolio, drawing together workstreams from across the business to ensure NESO has a coherent and credible programme of hydrogen activity grounded in solid evidence, with interdependencies and risks clearly understood.
• If needed, the post holder may be required to work flexibly across hydrogen and wider energy policy areas, particularly relating to other gases in the energy system (natural gas, biogas, CO2 etc)
  

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:

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of the GB energy policy landscape and emerging markets, ideally including knowledge specific to hydrogen, its value chain and related opportunities and impacts for the whole energy system.
• Understanding of the energy sector including knowledge of the structure, regulatory environment and the short- and long-term issues affecting the industry.

Experience

• Experience in energy focussed roles, ideally with a focus on hydrogen and/or whole energy system, including working closely with, or within, Government.
• Demonstrable experience of building relationships with a range of stakeholder including in Government, regulatory bodies and industry. You will be comfortable working across organisational boundaries to deliver common goals.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

• Strategic thinking: You think holistically about challenges and opportunities facing hydrogen and the wider energy sector in GB. You can distil your thinking into frameworks that support policy positions and critical decision-making of senior leaders.
• Programme and project management: You are comfortable operating in a project-based environment delivering wide ranging work programmes with effective risk and dependency management.
• 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 hydrogen 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 £54,000 – 70,000 – 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%.

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

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain’s energy network and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for consumers. We work with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using a wider adoption of technology and changes in consumer behaviour, as well as ensuring we have the right markets, networks, and frameworks in place, to transform the way we operate tomorrow.

Join us, and let’s energise progress.
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 15/12/2024 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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