Senior Policy Lead

National Energy System Operator; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Annual leave

Pension

Savings plan

Job summary

National Energy System Operator (NESO) seeks a Senior Policy Lead to join the EMR Strategy and Policy Team in the UK. You will own complex policy issues around Capacity Market and Contracts for Difference and work with DESNZ, Ofgem and industry groups to shape policy and rules.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham with hybrid working from office and home. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; visa sponsorship may not be available.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead others at all levels – across the department and subordinates.
• Ability to manage multiple activities to tight timescales and prioritise workload.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with internal and external parties.
• Commercial acumen and applies it when opportunities arise.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good understanding of risk and compliance.
• Good understanding of electricity and/or gas industry structures, role of the System Operator.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a solid understanding of the policy, rules and regulations relating to the Capacity Market, CfDs and related electricity markets and processes.
• Act as a lead interface between the EMR Delivery Body, other NESO departments and external stakeholders on policy and regulatory change.
• Proactively analyse policy developments and publications regarding EMR and related markets and lead submissions to DESNZ, Ofgem and others.
• Identity, evaluate and drive changes to Capacity Market and CfD policy to promote efficient and economical delivery of low carbon energy and security of supply.
• Advise other EMR teams and the wider business to ensure clear understanding and application of EMR rules and licence obligations.
• Support design, development and implementation of EMR systems and processes using rules expertise and innovative thinking.
• Represent the EMR Delivery Body at external working groups and events and present at EMR and industry events.
• Support business planning, regulatory reporting and incentives under RIIO-2.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Risk and compliance

Energy market knowledge

Policy liaison

Job description

About The Role

At NESO, we're helping to deliver a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy future for Great Britain. Our People team plays a critical role in ensuring the organisation has the capability, leadership and culture needed to achieve its ambitions.

We are looking for a Senior Policy Lead to join our EMR Strategy and Policy Team.

The EMR Delivery Body Administers Two Key Government Schemes

• Capacity Market (CM), which is the main mechanism for ensuring security of supply and we administer from application to ongoing Agreement management
• Contracts for Difference (CfD), which supports net zero by incentivising new renewable generators to join the energy system and we administer from application to capacity allocation.

There is currently a significant focus on both schemes from DESNZ, Ofgem, participants and wider stakeholders to assess their ongoing effectiveness and how they need to evolve in the changing energy market.

As a member of an externally facing team, you will work closely with DESNZ and Ofgem on developing strategy, policy and Rules, including unblocking pain points for participants and shaping how the schemes work in the future.

You will be able to take ownership of complex policy issues, building your expertise and providing this to policymakers, NESO colleagues and industry stakeholders.

This role can be based from Warwick or Wokingham 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

• Develop and maintain a solid understanding of the policy, rules and regulations relating to the Capacity Market, CfDs and related electricity markets and processes.
• Act as a lead interface between the EMR Delivery Body, other NESO departments and external stakeholders such as DESNZ, Ofgem, industry groups and the Electricity Settlements Company on policy and regulatory change.
• Proactively analyse policy developments and publications regarding EMR and related markets and initiatives, assess their impact on the Delivery Body, the wider ESO and market participants, and lead the development of formal and informal submissions to DESNZ, Ofgem and other relevant parties.
• Identity, evaluate and drive changes to Capacity Market and CfD policy, rules and regulations to ensure they promote the efficient and economic delivery of low carbon energy and security of supply, having regard to the impact on market participants, EMR systems and business processes.
• Advise other EMR Delivery Body teams and the wider business to ensure clear and consistent understanding and application of EMR rules and licence obligations.
• Support the design, development and implementation of EMR systems and business processes by applying rules expertise, performance excellence and innovative thinking.
• Represent the EMR Delivery Body at external working groups, meetings and events and present at relevant EMR, industry and other events.
• Support the Delivery Body’s work related to business planning, regulatory reporting and incentives under the RIIO-2 regulatory framework.

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

• Proven ability to lead others at all levels – across the department and subordinates.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple activities and issues to tight timescales and continually prioritise workload.
• Excellent Influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with internal and external parties.
• Commercial acumen and seeks to apply when opportunities arise.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good understanding of risk and compliance.
• Good understanding of the electricity and/or gas industry structures, role of the System Operator.
• Customer Engagement Strategy.
• Evolving EMR strategy to deliver against Net Zero.
• Primary point of contact engaging with the wider NESO on REMA and the 10 year review of both the Capacity Market (CM) and Contracts for Difference (CfD).
• Track Record of Delivering Excellent Performance.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £63,000 - £81,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package.

• 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.

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.

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.