Connections Senior Product Manager

National Energy System Operator; Warwick; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

28 days annual leave

Pension with 12% company match

Flexible benefits programme

Job summary

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is seeking a Senior Product Manager to lead the Connections portal products and 360 initiatives. You will shape product strategy, manage backlogs, and oversee budgets, guiding cross-functional teams across Digital, Data & Technology to deliver customer-focused outcomes.

The role offers hybrid working from office and home with one day in the office weekly, occasional travel to Warwick, and a competitive benefits package in the UK market.

Qualifications

• Experience leading product teams in a matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Full product lifecycle management for NESO Connections applications and roadmaps.
• Lead the delivery of change on time and within budget.
• Define and prioritise the backlog for connections.

Skills

Product management

Education

STEM or technology degree

Job description

About the Role

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), our greatest asset is our people. Together, we are shaping a sustainable future where clean and affordable energy is accessible to everyone. Every day presents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, driving the progress of energy solutions in Great Britain, connecting communities, and contributing to a brighter tomorrow.

As the Senior Product Manager, you will play a pivotal role within NESO, leading transformative initiatives across the connections landscape. These essential products are integral to NESO and industry, empowering our teams to accept and assess applications, issue connections offers, and manage the connections pipeline – delivering on our net zero ambitions.

In this strategic role within the Connections Function, you will guide the product delivery strategy, manage the backlog, and oversee the budget for the connections’ portal and connections 360, plus any future connections products as required. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will lead the Product Managers and collaborate with our Digital, Data, and Technology (DD&T) teams, ensuring all product changes are delivered with a customer-centric approach.

You will be directing various business Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and focused product teams to support our current and future initiatives. Your experience in leading direct reports and individuals within a matrix team structure will be crucial. Leveraging your expertise and leadership skills, will be crucial to promote collaboration and achieve success in this role.

This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home with an expectation to be in the office at least 1 day per week. If not based at Warwick then frequent (at least 1 day per week) travel to Warwick may be required.

Key Accountabilities

• Full product lifecycle management for NESO Connections applications, focusing either on the application and queue formation products or offers and contract management aspects.
• Lead the delivery of change on time and within budget, meeting current and future business needs.
• Develop strategy and product roadmaps aligned with NESO’s business plans.
• Define and prioritise the backlog for connections.
• Manage delegated budget, forecast, and change management processes.
• Inform transformation plans, working closely with connections teams and industry
• Lead communication of the project roadmap and change deliverables to internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the connections directorate and NESO at industry events.
• Leverage IT operations systems experience in large critical infrastructure projects, especially within the energy industry.
• Successfully articulate the company’s vision at the executive level to ensure alignment and support for strategic initiatives.

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.

About You

• Passionate about driving change and comfortable shaping fast-paced projects.
• Dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for customers and stakeholders.
• Believe in the power of communication, collaboration, and inquisitiveness.
• Extensive experience leading, coaching, and developing teams.
• Proven ability to build and influence relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of connections process, performance requirements, and service delivery is desirable.
• Proven track record of leading change delivery in a continuous operational environment at a senior level.
• Previous IT delivery experience is desirable as you will be responsible for the full product lifecycle of NESO Connection Products, creating roadmaps, defining current and future business capabilities, developing epics/features/stories, as well as identifying required architecture and tools.

Qualifications:

• Degree in STEM or technology-related subject or equivalent professional experiencedemonstrating comparable expertise and capability.
• Scaled Agile accredited (Product Manager or leading SAFe) (Desirable).

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary of £80,000 - £90,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary,you will receive a benefits 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%.

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

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain’s energy future. We already operate the world’s fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.

In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users.

Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.

The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together

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

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.