Change Specialist

National Energy System Operator (NESO); Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on company performance

26 days annual leave

Pension with company match (up to 12%)

NESO Savings Plan with 50% match

Job summary

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is seeking a Change Lead to guide complex transformations within the Major Programme Delivery team. You’ll design and embed change strategies, lead stakeholder engagement, and ensure benefits realisation across critical programs including 24/9 operational control room shifts.

Based in the UK with hybrid working, the role can be full‑time or part‑time. You’ll spend one day a week at your office and collaborate with senior leaders to drive sustainable change.

Qualifications

• Track record in dedicated change management roles across multiple complex programmes or projects.
• Experience delivering change across multi-operating-model environments and across a varied portfolio (strategy, org design, capability, tech, processes).
• Led full change lifecycle: impact & readiness assessment, stakeholder & sponsor engagement, communications, learning & capability, resistance management, benefits realisation.
• Professional credential in change management (CMI, CCMP, Prosci, or equivalent).
• Strong experience influencing senior leaders and working in Agile or SAFe delivery environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic change: drive high-complexity change management across NESO's Operating Companies using established frameworks (e.g., PROSCI).
• Impact & Readiness: conduct thorough impact assessments, develop business readiness statements, advise senior stakeholders on risks and mitigations.
• Build Capability: foster a culture of change readiness, coach line managers and teams, and build wider business capability for managing change (including control room).
• Collaborate & Engage: work with project/program leads, sponsors, SMEs to ensure effective communication and engagement at all levels.
• Govern & Improve: provide governance oversight, assess quality of change activities, oversee testing/training, lead benefits realisation.

Skills

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication planning

Agile/SAFe experience

Education

CMI accreditation / CCMP / Prosci or equivalent

Tools

PROSCI framework

Job description

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.

That's why we view change as constant, and effective change management is essential to staying ahead.

As a Change Lead at NESO, you won't just manage change; you'll lead it.

This pivotal role within our Major Programme Delivery team focuses on preparing, supporting, and guiding individuals and teams through a shift from current state to a desired future, minimising negative impacts while maximising benefits.

You'll be a change thought leader, driving and embedding sustainable transformation across critical programs and projects, including our vital 24/9 operational control room shift teams.

You'll report into a flexible central pool of programme/project SMEs within the Transformation and Major Projects directorate, deploying across key initiatives within the NESO portfolio.

This role can be based in Wokingham or Warwick office 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; however, you will be expected to spend one day per week at your allocated office location, with support needed at specific times and places depending on programme requirements.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead Strategic Change: Drive high-complexity change management across NESO's Operating Companies, using established frameworks (e.g., PROSCI). You will be responsible for key deliverables including stakeholder mapping, communication plans, engagement strategies, training plans, and resistance management plans.
• Impact & Readiness: Conduct thorough impact assessments of change, develop business readiness statements, and advise senior stakeholders on risks and mitigations to inform critical go/no-go decisions.
• Build Capability: Foster a culture of change readiness by understanding and addressing people impacts, coaching line managers and teams, and building wider business capability for managing and receiving change. This includes providing tailored support for control room environments.
• Collaborate & Engage: Work closely with project/program leads, sponsors, and Subject Matter Experts, ensuring effective communication and engagement across all levels.
• Govern & Improve: Provide robust governance oversight, assess the quality of change activities, oversee testing and training phases, and lead benefits management and post-implementation review processes to ensure sustained adoption and continuous improvement.

About You

We're looking for an established change management professional who has deliberately built their career through multiple dedicated change roles. You will bring substantial experience leading the people side of complex, organisation-wide transformation-not simply managing change as one part of a wider project.

Essential experience and qualifications

• A sustained track record in dedicated change management roles, with accountability for developing and delivering end-to-end change strategies across multiple complex programmes or projects.
• Experience delivering change across complex, multi-operating-model environments and across a varied portfolio that includes several of the following: strategy, organisational design, capability, technology, process and ways of working.
• Evidence of personally leading the full change lifecycle, including impact and readiness assessment, stakeholder and sponsor engagement, communications, learning and capability, resistance management, adoption and benefits realisation.
• A recognised professional change management credential, such as CMI accreditation, CCMP, Prosci, or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• Strong experience influencing senior leaders, sponsors and diverse stakeholder groups, combined with an understanding of Agile or SAFe delivery environments.

Your CV should clearly show your progression through dedicated change management roles and the scale, complexity and outcomes of the changes you have led.

About Us

National Energy System Operator (NESO) has a key role to play in tackling climate change by transitioning GB's electricity system to net zero. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity system in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon power operation by 2030 when there is sufficient renewable generation. We are also providing advice to the Government on achieving a decarbonised power system by 2030.

So, join the energy transformation and help shape the future.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £57,000-£66,000 dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package.

• You will receive a bonus based on company performance
• 26 days annual leave as standard
• A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%
• Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.

NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:

• Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
• Additional Birthday Day Off
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
• Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance

About Us

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.

More Information

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment.

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. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.