Project Development Manager

National Energy System Operator Limited; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on company performance

26 days annual leave

Pension with company matching up to 12

NESO Savings Plan with 50% matching (l

Flexible benefits programme

Job summary

National Energy System Operator Limited is seeking an Innovation Project Development Manager to shape and advance projects from proposal to funding and mobilisation. You will manage the development pipeline, engage stakeholders, and coordinate governance-aligned submissions.

You will lead a team across NESO and partners to identify challenges, assess solutions, and build strong partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes for the energy system.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience developing projects or funding applications within GB energy sector or other regulated industry.
• Experience leading a team in innovation, research, digitalisation or technology development.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and excellent writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the process for development and mobilisation of innovation projects addressing strategic challenges.
• Coordinate high‑quality project plans, procurement events (RFPs) and funding submissions with governance alignment.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to define project scope, benefits, risks, finances and requirements.
• Ensure forms and documents for legal, procurement, security and data processes are completed.
• Support governance, approval and mobilisation by preparing papers and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Incorporate lessons learned and new technologies into project development and platform evolution.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About the Role

As the Innovation team’s Project Development Manager you play a critical role in shaping and developing innovation projects that support NESO's strategic objectives and accelerate the transition to a net zero energy system.

Working across the innovation team, NESO, industry partners and the regulator, this role is responsible for the process of developing high-quality projects, from the early proposal stage through to final funding approval and mobilisation.

You will oversee SIF (Strategic Innovation Fund) project applications and their setup following successful awards.

You will own the project development pipeline, between initial selection of proposals through to successful project kick-off and hand over to the delivery team.

You will collaborate with technical specialists, innovation team colleagues and external stakeholders to identify challenges, evaluate solutions and build partnerships that enable projects to deliver successfully.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape NESO's innovation portfolio and bring forward projects that address some of the most complex challenges facing the future energy system.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow, 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

• Lead the process for development and mobilisation of innovation projects that address strategic business and whole energy system challenges.
• Lead a team that coordinates the development of high-quality project plans, procurement events (RFPs) and funding submissions, ensuring alignment with all governance and regulatory requirements.
• Engage and coordinate internal and external stakeholders to define and capture project scope, benefits, risks, finances, dependencies, requirements and success measures.
• Ensure projects have completed the relevant forms and documents for necessary legal, procurement, security and data team processes.
• Contribute to the management of the innovation pipeline, supporting strategic prioritisation and the transition of approved projects into delivery and successful implementation into business operations.
• Support governance, approval and mobilisation processes by preparing papers, presentations and recommendations for senior leadership, funding bodies and investment boards.
• Ensure relevant lessons learned, industry insights and new technologies are incorporated into project development activities and platform development.

About You

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey.

In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience leading a team in the innovation, research, digitalisation, transformation or technology development areas.
• Has experience developing projects or funding applications within the GB energy sector (ideally SIF or NIA) or other regulated industry.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills, with experience working across multiple organisations and disciplines.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills.

Qualifications

Essential (at appointment): Educated to degree level in a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Desirable: Project Management qualification (APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent).

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of circa £60,000 - £70,000 dependent on experience and capability.

• 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

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'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. At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britains'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