Business Development Lead - Demand Side Flexibility

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy systems operator in the UK seeks a Business Development Lead to enhance participation in flexibility markets. This role involves designing strategies, engaging stakeholders, and driving market growth for demand-side response initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess significant business development experience in the energy sector, particularly within UK electricity markets. Join us for a competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and the opportunity to shape the future of energy.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus based on company performance

Contributory pension scheme

26 days annual leave

Career development resources

Qualifications

• Proven track record in business development, preferably within energy or utilities.
• Understanding of demand-side flexibility markets and services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive market growth by recruiting new flexibility participants.
• Design and deliver consumer engagement campaigns.
• Build relationships with industry stakeholders.

Skills

Business development experience in energy

Knowledge of UK electricity markets

Strong communication skills

Innovative mindset

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

About the role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

We’re looking for a dynamic Business Development Lead to help us grow Industrial and Commercial participation in Consumer Led Flexibility (CLF) / demand-side flexibility (DSF). The Business Development Lead will design and implement strategies to recruit, onboard, and scale participation in demand‑side response (DSR) and flexibility markets, enabling Industrial and Commercial sector consumers and businesses to play an active role in balancing the grid either directly into our core markets, our route to market services or indirectly.

The successful candidate will work closely with internal stakeholders including the Energy Flexibility Market Development, Regional Energy Strategic Planning, Market Change Delivery, Market Design and Account Managers to understand the needs of the service providers and the barriers to entry to help maximise participation.

This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick, 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

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.

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 licensed 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.

Key Accountabilities

• Drive market growth by recruiting and onboarding new flexibility participants.
• Design propositions and business models to attract businesses of all sizes.
• Build relationships across industry, government, and consumer groups.
• Design and deliver opportunities that encourage engagement from industrial, commercial, SME, and aggregator participants.
• Deliver roadmap milestones including consumer engagement campaigns, barrier reduction initiatives, and scalable business model frameworks.
• Lead in‑depth engagement with a wide range of external stakeholders to understand and reflect a broad range of perspectives providing insight into implementing accessible markets
• Help create pipeline of new relationships that can feed into the Onboarding Support Team and help generate future leads to achieve our Clean Power targets.
• Build strong relationships with industry partners, trade bodies, suppliers, DNOs, and government agencies.
• Lead workshops, forums, and events to increase awareness of flexibility opportunities.
• Act as a spokesperson for Power Responsive at industry events and consultations.
• Work with the Power Responsive team to translate technical system requirements into clear value propositions for consumers.

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:

• Proven business development or commercial leadership experience in energy, utilities, or technology.
• Detailed demonstratable knowledge of UK electricity and flexibility markets including NESO core services/markets.
• Experience working closely with Industrial and Commercial businesses in the UK.
• Innovative, results‑driven, and passionate about net zero.
• Questions the status quo and consistently seeks improvement opportunities.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills.
• Skilled in understanding and communicating complex content.
• Entrepreneurial and innovative mindset.
• Collaborative and stakeholder‑focused.

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 people can bring into 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.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £62,000 - £66,000pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 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 27th November 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.

#LI-AW2
#LI-HYBRID