Senior Operability Lead - NESO

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy system operator in the UK seeks candidates for the CP30 Implementation team. This role focuses on analyzing and resolving operational challenges associated with the transition to a clean power system by 2030. Applicants should have a degree in engineering or a related field, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues effectively. A competitive salary between £56,500 - £66,500 is offered, along with flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Bonus based on company performance

26 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Passionate about understanding technical and commercial fundamentals of electricity system planning and operation.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and flexibility in planning.
• Strong writing skills to present complex issues clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead virtual teams to analyze operability challenges related to CP30.
• Evaluate the CP30 operability context for NESO.
• Provide insight into future energy landscape changes.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Critical thinking

Networking

Project management

Education

Degree in engineering, commercial, or business discipline

Job description

About the Role

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

The Zero Carbon Operation team is an exciting area of NESO’s Strategic Energy Planning directorate, playing a critical role in identifying and resolving potential operational issues as the GB electricity system decarbonises. We are going through some exciting growth at the moment, and we are looking for two people to join the CP30 Implementation team to lead specifically on assessment of operability challenges associated with the move to a clean power system by 2030.

CP30 is both a huge challenge and an exciting and fast‑moving area to work in. It puts GB, and NESO, at the forefront of electricity system operation as many of the issues we are dealing with are newly emerging and the associated solutions ground‑breaking.

The role will include collaborating with other NESO colleagues on their analysis, developing new ways to identify, understand and explain complex issues associated with CP30, supporting NESO to make decisions and prioritise efforts, and working with external stakeholders.

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

• You will lead cross‑functional NESO virtual teams to understand, define, and mitigate future operability challenges posed by CP30, in new areas without established methods, both in GB and globally.
• You will evaluate the CP30 operability context for NESO, identifying where our future operability issues may exist and help identify the solutions needed to resolve them.
• You will provide insight into the changes affecting the future energy landscape that is the basis of our strategy, decision making and policy development.
• You will identify trends, deliver papers and briefing notes for senior NESO decision‑makers.
• Throughout the year, you will support external engagement articulating the future challenges in operating a clean power system and the actions needed to meet those challenges.
• You will be curious, able to join up the dots, understand operational impacts, have good stakeholder skills and be able to think strategically.

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:

• Passionate about understanding technical and commercial fundamentals of electricity system planning and operation.
• Passionate about enabling NESO to be a world leader in operating a clean power electricity system.
• A self‑starter with experience of dealing with ambiguity, and the ability to be flexible and agile to plan and project‑manage a wide range of issues at the same time, and to refocus rapidly when priorities change.
• Strong networking and relationship building skills, especially for within NESO and externally with DESNZ, Ofgem and other key stakeholders.
• Well‑developed critical thinking skills – able to understand current state and recommend strategic and technical solutions to achieve desired state.
• Experience in managing internal stakeholders to develop and deliver new understanding, products and services.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills and an ability to analyse and present complex issues to a range of audiences.

Qualifications

Essential: Degree (or equivalent) in engineering, commercial or business discipline, or equivalent experience.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the energy industry with relevant experience.
• Interest in learning about energy and a passion for decarbonising the energy system.
• Experience in academic or operational research.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the principles of power system planning and operation and the meaning of system security.

Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we’re committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment process where everyone can show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds to build a workforce that feels valued and respected and represents the communities we serve.

About What You’ll Get

A competitive salary between £56,500 - £66,500 pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 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%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well‑being.

• Full support and career‑development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

About Us

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain’s energy network and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for consumers. We work with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using a wider adoption of technology and changes in consumer behaviour, as well as ensuring we have the right markets, networks, and frameworks in place, to transform the way we operate tomorrow.

Join us, and let’s energise progress.

Our energy, our future, together.

About The National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade‑offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

More Information

This role closes on 4th January 2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Interviews will be held in January 2026.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

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.