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.

The Head of Portfolio Management is responsible for building and leading NESO’s Portfolio Management function, within the Office of the CFO, to manage the organisation’s growing portfolio of work that will be crucial to delivering net zero by 2050.

The role holder will lead the development of the capability as a senior practitioner and collaborate with stakeholders to shape and balance the portfolio, whilst acting as an escalation point for portfolio-related issues. This role will involve driving the process of agreeing, planning and allocating (at a high level) adequate resources (£’s & people) to a prioritised portfolio of change.

You will continuously ensure that the portfolio is aligned with and delivering value towards NESO’s strategic priorities, whilst fostering key relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

Key accountabilities

• Portfolio Oversight: Leading the development and implementation of the Enterprise Portfolio Office, ensuring alignment with NESO’s strategic objectives and priorities. Owning and determining the right frameworks and approaches for portfolio definition and delivery, ensuring consistent approaches are being used across NESO, and continuously developing the capabilities, tools, methods and approaches for portfolio management.
• Leadership: Managing and mentoring a team of Portfolio Managers and Analysts, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation as the ‘face’ of the portfolio, including executives, Heads of Directorates and project sponsors, providing regular updates and insights into portfolio health and performance.
• Portfolio Definition: Working with key stakeholders to define and prioritise the portfolio, ensuring that projects and programmes are aligned with strategic objectives and deliver measurable value. Providing relevant inputs and insight to the business planning process to ensure portfolio planning aligns with broader business planning, and vice versa.
• Portfolio Delivery: Overseeing the execution and delivery of the Enterprise portfolio, understanding progress, resolving issues and mitigating risks to ensure successful outcomes for the portfolio.
• Performance Monitoring: Establishing and owning key performance indicators and metrics to monitor portfolio performance, tracking progress against strategic priorities and identifying areas for improvement.
• Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating portfolio-level risks and issues and implementing strategies to minimise impact and ensure successful portfolio delivery.
• Portfolio Governance: Delivering regular reporting to NESO Exec and owning portfolio governance forums, communicating delivery status, performance, and strategic recommendations to continuously shape and balance the portfolio.
• Process Design: Designing, developing and enhancing portfolio management processes and capabilities, driving efficiency and effectiveness through the adoption of best practices and innovative approaches.
• Portfolio Systems: Aligning portfolio processes and standards with system requirements and helping drive PPM (Project Portfolio Management) system development.

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/is:

Essential

• Proven experience in portfolio management, including interaction with c-suite stakeholders, with a track record of managing complex portfolios in a large enterprise environment.
• Proficiency in portfolio management frameworks and methodologies, such as the Management of Portfolio (MoP) framework.
• Evidence of strong team management and leadership experience, especially in periods of change and uncertainty.
• Ability to grow and inspire a team, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• This includes empowering and supporting junior team members to be proactive and develop the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders on portfolio-related matters.
• Exceptional communication skills, both in writing and articulation, capable of conveying complex ideas to a broad audience who may not speak the language of portfolio management.
• The ability to influence, challenge and persuade senior decision-makers across the organisation on portfolio-related matters whilst managing stakeholder expectations and proactively addressing their concerns.
• Can facilitate constructive dialogue and collaboration to resolve conflicts between stakeholders, achieving consensus and alignment across the portfolio.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and an innovative approach to converting quantitative and qualitative information into valuable inights and recommendations for senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

Desirable

• Experience using Strategic Portfolio Management tools is beneficial.
• Relevant certifications (e.g. PfMP, PMP, PMI-ACP, PRINCE2) preferred.
• Experience working in the Energy & Utilities industry or adjacent sector.

About what you'll get

A competitive salary between £85,000 - £90,000 – dependent on capability. (Salary is negotiable for an experienced professional in this field)

As well as your base salary, you will receive a car 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

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

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.

NESO, 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 27/05/2025 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.

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