Head of Governance Risk and Compliance

National Energy System Operator Limited; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible bank holidays

Birthday day off

Cycle to work

Retail & gym discounts

Private medical insurance

Critical illness insurance

Personal accident insurance

Job summary

National Energy System Operator (NESO) seeks a strategic Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance to shape the security governance framework and threat-led risk management across the organisation. You will partner with the CISO, CIO and regulators to embed risk-aware decision making and ensure security is integrated into transformation programs.

You will lead a high-performing team, manage relationships with regulators and auditors, and drive assurance across cyber and operational environments in a

Qualifications

• Experience leading Cyber Security Governance, Risk and Compliance functions in critical infra or regulated settings.
• Design and implement enterprise security governance and threat-led risk management frameworks.
• Experience with NIS Regulations and CAF compliance programmes.
• Ability to report to Boards and regulators on cyber risk.
• Experience in digital transformation, cloud, data, AI and DevSecOps environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and evolution of NESO's Security Governance Framework.
• Operate enterprise cyber risk framework aligned to NIS Regulations and CAF/ISO27001.
• Lead cyber risk reporting to Board and Exec Committee.
• Develop cyber assurance strategy across technology and third parties.
• Provide governance oversight for secure-by-design in major change programmes.

Skills

Governance leadership

Risk management

Security governance

Executive reporting

DevSecOps

AI security

Threat intelligence

Team leadership

Regulatory engagement

Education

CISSP / CISM / CRISC / ISO27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor

Job description

About the Role

The Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance is a senior leadership role within NESO's Security function, reporting directly to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). This role is responsible for developing, implementing and continually enhancing NESO's security governance framework, threat-led cyber risk management framework and assurance strategy across one of the UK's most critical national infrastructure organisations. This is a strategic role that requires close working with Executive stakeholders, the CIO leadership team, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit, regulators and industry partners to ensure cyber and physical security risks are effectively understood, governed and managed in line with NESO's risk appetite and regulatory obligations. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in embedding a proactive risk culture, strengthening regulatory confidence, and ensuring security is integrated into NESO's digital, operational and business transformation agenda.

This role is designated as requiring a National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance. You will usually need to have been a resident in the UK for the last five years to apply for the required level of clearance. This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

Key Accountabilities

Governance & Strategy

Lead the development and continual evolution of NESO's Security Governance Framework, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy, risk appetite and regulatory obligations. Develop and maintain security policies, standards, control frameworks and governance processes across cyber, technology and operational environments. Act as a strategic advisor to the CISO on governance, risk and assurance matters.

Threat-Led Risk Management

Develop and operate NESO's enterprise cyber risk management framework, aligned to NIS Regulations, and external standards such as CAF, ISO 27001, and enterprise risk management processes. Drive a threat-informed approach to risk identification, assessment, prioritisation and treatment. Establish clear risk ownership and accountability across the organisation. Lead development of Board and Executive Committee cyber risk reporting. Provide independent challenge and assurance to major technology and business programmes.

Compliance & Assurance

Develop and implement a comprehensive cyber assurance strategy covering technology, operational environments, third parties and critical suppliers. Lead NESO's compliance activities relating to NIS Regulations, CAF, ISO27001 and other applicable regulatory obligations. Manage relationships with regulators, auditors and external assurance providers. Establish metrics and reporting that provide meaningful insight into control effectiveness and organisational resilience.

Secure-by-Design & Transformation

Ensure governance, risk and assurance activities support NESO's digital, data, AI and technology transformation agenda. Embed secure-by-design and risk-based decision-making into technology delivery, cloud adoption and DevSecOps practices. Provide strategic oversight and challenge to major change programmes. Provide governance, risk and assurance oversight for emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), ensuring their adoption aligns with NESO’s risk appetite, regulatory obligations and security requirements.

Leadership & Culture

Lead and develop a high-performing Governance, Risk & Compliance function. Foster a proactive security culture that promotes accountability, transparency and continuous improvement. Build strong relationships across operational, technology and business teams to drive shared ownership of risk.

About You

We are seeking a strategic security leader with the ability to operate at both executive and technical levels. You will combine strong governance and risk leadership capabilities with sufficient technical credibility to challenge technology decisions, understand emerging threats and influence security outcomes across complex environments.

Essentials

• Significant experience leading Cyber Security Governance, Risk and Compliance functions within critical national infrastructure, highly regulated or complex operational environments.
• Demonstrable experience designing and implementing enterprise security governance and threat-led risk management frameworks.
• roven track record leading NIS Regulations and CAF compliance programmes.
• Experience providing cyber risk reporting and strategic advice to Boards, Executive Committees and regulators.
• Experience operating within digital transformation, cloud, data, AI and DevSecOps environments.
• Experience leading assurance activities across technology and third-party ecosystems.
• Strong understanding of modern cyber threats, threat intelligence and risk management methodologies.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams.

Desirables

• Energy sector experience.
• Experience working closely with NCSC, Ofgem or other regulatory bodies.
• CISSP, CISM, CRISC, ISO27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor or equivalent.
• Experience of developing governance, risk management and assurance approaches for emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI and advanced analytics, with an understanding of associated security, ethical and regulatory considerations.

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary of circa £90,000 - £105,000 dependent on experience and capability.

As 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%.

• 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.

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.