Programme Manager

National Energy System Operator; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible 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) is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to oversee CSNP delivery, provide PMO leadership to the EN PMO Manager, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders. The role includes matrix-managing project managers within the EN Programme Management team, with hybrid working from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow.

You will lead governance, risk, cost, schedule, and vendor management while developing standards and processes for the EN PMO team, and

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and experienced in delivering programme and project management to defined standards.
• Experience delivering externally facing, high profile, fast-paced programmes – ideally engineering, energy or regulatory focused.
• Proven capability in leading Programme and PMO teams and refining project management approaches, tools and processes.
• Proficient in development and implementation of project assurance and governance frameworks.
• Skilled in use of project planning and reporting tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of project managers and collaborate with CSNP delivery leads to embed excellent programme management practices.
• Oversee all phases of CSNP delivery, identify constraints and drive mitigations with stakeholders.
• Manage changes to scope, resource, cost, schedule and deliverables through SEP Change Management.
• Ensure CSNP governance and assurance frameworks are effective and audited.
• Provide detailed status reports to stakeholders and governance groups.
• Oversee RAID management and dependencies across the CSNP programme.
• Manage the CSNP budget and EN Team costs with Financial Business Partner.
• Oversee procurement of external vendors in line with NESO standards.
• Support EN PMO Manager in developing ways of working, standards and processes.
• Provide Data Management leadership and ensure data security.
• Support SEP Portfolio Management team in tools/process development.
• Mentor EN Admin support as required.

Skills

Programme management

PMO leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Budget management

Data management

Vendor management

Governance

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

Project planning tools

Job description

About The Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) sits at the heart of the UK's energy transition, aiming to produce first of their kinds strategic energy plans across generation, transmission, and distribution. NESO's vision is to provide a future where everyone has access to reliable, clean, and affordable energy; our work will be a catalyst for change across the global community.

We currently require a capable and experienced Programme Manager to oversee the delivery and programme management of the high-profile, Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) Programme. They also need to provide PMO leadership support to the EN PMO Manager, thus enabling the successful delivery of all projects within the Electricity Network team's portfolio. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, and will matrix manage a team of project managers within the EN Programme Management team. This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead a team of project managers and work closely with CSNP delivery leads, to ensure that an excellent standard of programme/project management support, guidance, and challenge is embedded across the CSNP Programme.
• Oversee and manage all phases of the CSNP delivery process. Challenge the CSNP plans and progress delivery; identify constraints, risks and issues, and work with stakeholders to progress mitigations.
• Ensure that all changes to scope, resource, cost, schedule, and deliverables for the CSNP Programme, are identified, that their impact is understood, and that they are managed through the SEP Change Management process.
• Ensure that the CSNP Governance and Assurance Frameworks are effective and adhered to, and lead on the CSNP response to audits and assurance reviews.
• Provide detailed programme status reports and verbal updates to a range of internal and external stakeholders and governance groups.
• Oversee the effective management of risks, issues, and dependencies across the CSNP Programme and maintain the quality of the RAID management approach. Ensure that dependencies within the CSNP programme are proactively managed and delivered on.
• Manage the budget for the CSNP Programme and for the Electricity Network Strategy (ENS) Team. Work with the Financial Business Partner to maintain an accurate view of all programme costs and resources.
• Ensure that an effective approach is implemented for the procurement and management of all external vendors, in line with the NESO Procurement standards.
• Assist the EN PMO Manager in developing the ways of working, standards, tools and processes for the EN PMO Team.
• Provide Data Management leadership across the EN Team, ensuring that all associated standards are adhered to and that rigorous data security is maintained.
• Provide support, feedback, and challenge into the SEP Portfolio Management team, with the development of their Portfolio Management tools/processes, Proactively contribute to the SEP Cross Cutting Topic Groups.
• Provide support, guidance and challenge to the EN Admin support team as required.

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

• Is enthusiastic and experienced in developing and delivering an excellent standard of programme and project management, and in ensuring that others adhere to all defined standards.
• Has considerable experience of delivering externally facing, high profile and fast-paced programmes and projects – ideally engineering, energy sector or regulatory focused.
• Has substantial experience of leading Programme and PMO teams; developing and refining the use a range of project management approaches, tools, and processes.
• Has proven capability in the development and implementation of project assurance and governance frameworks and processes.
• Is proficient in the use of project planning and reporting tools.
• Is a strong communicator with excellent writing skills.

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary of £67,000 - £80,000 dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 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%.

Benefits

• 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.

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.

We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.