Change Lead - NESO

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy organization is seeking a dedicated Change Specialist to drive sustainable transformation across critical programs. You will manage change initiatives and ensure smooth transitions while maximizing benefits. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of change management principles, a results-oriented mindset, and the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders. This role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary between £55,000 - £65,000

Bonus based on company performance

26 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering successful business change outcomes.
• Ability to build and influence relationships at all levels.
• Experience managing change in complex programs/projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-complexity change management initiatives.
• Conduct thorough impact assessments and provide insights.
• Coach line managers to foster a change-ready culture.

Skills

Change management principles

Stakeholder engagement

Results-oriented mindset

Agile/SAFe methodologies

Job description

About the role

Are you ready to make a significant impact on the UK's energy future? At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), our mission is to deliver clean, affordable, and sustainable energy for all. We believe in proactive change and effective management as critical drivers of our success. As a Change Specialist, you won't just manage change – you'll deliver meaningful outcomes that transform our business and contribute directly to a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.

This is a pivotal opportunity within our Major Programme Delivery team to proactively drive sustainable transformation & change across critical programs and projects, including our vital 24/7 operational control room shift teams. As a Change Lead you will be instrumental in guiding individuals and teams through significant shifts, ensuring a smooth transition from current to desired states. Your focus will be on maximising benefits and delivering tangible value by minimising negative impacts and embedding new ways of working across the business.

Reporting into a flexible central pool of programme/project SMEs, you’ll deploy your expertise across key initiatives within the NESO portfolio.

This role can be based in 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.

Key accountabilities

• Drive Strategic Change: Proactively lead high-complexity change management initiatives, developing comprehensive strategies including robust stakeholder mapping, communication plans, engagement strategies, and resistance management to ensure successful adoption and lasting results.
• Deliver Measurable Impact: Conduct thorough impact assessments and develop clear business readiness statements. You'll provide senior stakeholders with vital insights on risks and mitigations, ensuring informed go/no-go decisions and outcome-focused delivery.
• Build Organisational Capability: Foster a culture of change readiness by actively understanding and addressing people impacts. You'll coach line managers, empower teams, and build wider business capability, providing tailored support to ensure effective and lasting change.
• Champion Engagement & Collaboration: Work closely with project/program leads, sponsors, and Subject Matter Experts. Your ability to engage effectively across all levels will be crucial in ensuring seamless communication and alignment, fostering a collaborative environment where change thrives.
• Govern & Improve for Lasting Value: Provide robust governance, assess the quality of change activities, and oversee testing and training phases. You will drive benefits management and lead post-implementation reviews to ensure sustained adoption and continuous improvement, clearly demonstrating the value delivered.

About you

We are seeking a dedicated, self-starting, and experienced Change Specialist with a proven track record in delivering successful business change outcomes. You are passionate about making a meaningful impact and possess:

• A deep understanding of change management principles (e.g., PROSCI) and experience managing the human side of change in complex programs/projects.
• Ability to build and influence relationships, demonstrating proactive engagement with diverse stakeholders at all levels.
• A results-oriented mindset, consistently focused on delivering valuable outcomes and seeing change through to successful adoption.
• Familiarity with Agile/SAFe methodologies for solution delivery is a plus.

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.

If this role sparks your interest but you’re not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £55,000 - £65,000– 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.

About us

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 19th January 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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