Delivery Lead

National Energy System Operator Limited; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus-based pay scheme

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme (double match, up to 12

NESO Savings Plan (50% match)

Flexible holidays

Birthday day off

Cycle to work scheme

Private medical & critical illness

Job summary

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is seeking a Delivery Lead focused on Finance and Commercial Planning to join the Open Balancing Platform team in the UK. You will develop integrated annual and multi-year financial plans aligned with delivery roadmaps, workforce requirements, supplier commitments and technology consumption.

Hybrid working from office and home in Wokingham or Warwick. We are open to full-time and part-time applicants, with flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial planning, commercial management, programme finance or finance business partnering.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, cost modelling and scenario planning.
• Experience supporting large and complex technology, infrastructure, transformation or operational programmes.
• Understanding procurement, supplier contracts, statements of work, commercial change control and contract governance.
• Experience reviewing and challenging financial assumptions, delivery estimates, supplier proposals and resource plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning and forecasting.
• Lead commercial planning and forecasting.
• Govern financial and commercial governance.
• Engage with FinOps for planning and forecasting.
• Identify cost optimisation and value realisation opportunities.

Skills

Financial planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Cost modelling

Scenario planning

Procurement knowledge

Contract governance

Supplier management

Job description

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is looking for a Delivery Lead with a focus on Finance and Commercial Planning to join the Open Balancing Platform team, reporting to the OBP Platform Delivery Manager. In this role, you will develop integrated annual and multi-year financial plans aligned with delivery roadmaps, workforce requirements, supplier commitments and technology consumption. You will lead budgeting, reforecasting, scenario analysis and variance management, providing clear insight into future expenditure, funding needs, cost pressures and financial risks. Working closely with Finance, Commercial, Procurement and FinOps, you will improve forecast accuracy, strengthen cost transparency and support informed decisions on investment, prioritisation and cost optimisation. Your forward-looking insight will strengthen investment planning, support prioritisation decisions and ensure OBP maintains a credible and continuously updated view of its financial outlook.

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.

Key Accountabilities

• Financial planning and forecasting
• Commercial planning and forecasting
• Financial and commercial governance
• FinOps engagement for financial planning and forecasting
• Cost optimisation and value realisation

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

You will bring:

• Experience in financial planning, commercial management, programme finance or finance business partnering
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, cost modelling and scenario planning
• Experience supporting large and complex technology, infrastructure, transformation or operational programmes
• Demonstrating good understanding of procurement, supplier contracts, statements of work, commercial change control and contract governance
• Experience reviewing and constructively challenging financial assumptions, delivery estimates, supplier proposals and resource plans

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex financial and operational information into clear recommendations.

Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to work across Finance, Commercial, Procurement, Technology, Delivery and operational functions.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial matters to non-financial stakeholders.

A high level of integrity, attention to detail and commitment to effective financial governance.

The ability to balance value for money with operational resilience, regulatory obligations, service quality and strategic outcomes.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £57,500 - £62,500 dependent on experience and capability

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

• 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.
• 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.

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 are 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.

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 actin 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