Technical Excellence Manager

National Energy System Operator Limited; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 15% of salary

28 days annual leave

Pension scheme with company matching

Flexible benefits programme

Job summary

National Energy System Operator Limited (NESO) is seeking a Technical Excellence Manager to strengthen technical capability, professional standards and communities of practice across the DD&T function. The role collaborates with leaders, partners and external networks to inform workforce planning, supplier expectations and future delivery needs.

You will lead competency frameworks, analyse capability data and ensure consistent role families and standards.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of digital, data, engineering, cyber, architecture and technology skill landscapes.
• Experience using competency frameworks, skills taxonomies and development pathways.
• Strong analytical capability with experience interpreting workforce and capability data.
• Experience managing supplier and partner relationships.
• Experience in setting up and running communities of practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead DD&T’s view of the technical capability, skills and professional standards needed to deliver priorities.
• Identify current capability strengths, gaps and future skills needs across digital, data and technology disciplines.
• Translate priorities into functional requirements for workforce planning, learning priorities and capability planning.
• Monitor technology trends and industry practice to keep delivery needs current.
• Support communities of practice to share knowledge and improve ways of working.
• Define purpose, focus areas and operating rhythm for communities of practice.

Skills

Digital, data and technology landscape

Competency frameworks

Workforce analytics

Supplier and partner management

Communities of practice

Job description

About the Role

The Technical Excellence Manager works with DD&T leaders and teams to strengthen technical capability, professional standards and communities of practice across the function. The role helps DD&T understand the skills and ways of working needed now and, in the future, using insight from the function, external partners and the wider technology market. It identifies capability gaps, supports clear priorities for development and technical standards, and provides the functional insight needed to inform workforce planning, talent activity and supplier expectations. This is a DD&T role that partners with People, Finance, Talent Acquisition and external partners. Its focus is to make sure DD&T has the right technical capability, stronger professional communities and clearer visibility of the risks and opportunities that could impact delivery This role can be based from our Wokingham or Warwick office 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

Functional Capability and Standards

• Lead DD&T’s view of the technical capability, skills and professional standards needed to deliver current and future priorities
• Work with DD&T leaders and teams to identify current capability strengths, gaps and future skills needs across digital, data and technology disciplines
• Support the consistent use of role families, job architecture, capability frameworks and professional standards across DD&T, in partnership with the People Directorate
• Translate DD&T priorities into clear functional requirements that inform workforce planning, talent activity, learning priorities and future capability planning
• Monitor relevant technology trends, industry practice and emerging skills to help DD&T remain current and prepared for future delivery needs

Communities of Practice and Professional Maturity

• Support DD&T communities of practice so they help colleagues share knowledge, build technical skills and improve ways of working
• Work with community leads to define the purpose, focus areas and operating rhythm for DD&T communities of practice
• Support communities to share good practice, strengthen technical standards and promote modern delivery methods across DD&T
• Use insight from communities to identify common capability themes, development needs and opportunities for improvement
• Coordinate engagement with internal experts, suppliers, partners and external speakers where this supports technical learning and professional maturity
• Track community engagement and value, including contribution to knowledge sharing, capability uplift and improved ways of working

Communities of Practice Technology

• Engineering - Software Engineering, DevOps, DevSecOps, Testing, Platform Engineering, CI/CD
• Data & Analytics - Data Engineering, Data Governance, AI, Machine Learning, Business Intelligence, Data Science
• Architecture - Enterprise Architecture, Solution Architecture, Integration, Technology Standards
• Cyber Security - Secure Design, Security Operations, Identity Management, Risk & Compliance
• Product & Design - Product Management, Business Analysis, User Research, Service Design, UX/UI
• Digital delivery management - Agile Delivery, Programme Management, Portfolio Management, PMO, Service Management

Workforce and capability insight

• Provide insight on DD&T capability, skills maturity, resource risks and future workforce needs to support planning and delivery confidence
• Work with DD&T leadership, Finance, People, Talent Acquisition and delivery teams to build a joined-up view of capability demand and workforce risks
• Analyse skills, capacity and capability data to identify trends that may affect delivery, resilience or future growth
• Highlight risks linked to scarce skills, contractor reliance, succession gaps, capability depth or changing technology requirements
• Provide functional insight to support workforce planning, recruitment priorities, development planning and succession discussions
• Produce clear reporting for DD&T leadership on capability maturity, workforce risks and future skills requirements

External Practice and Partner Alignment

• Work with suppliers, framework partners and external networks to bring relevant Engage with suppliers, framework partners and industry networks to understand emerging skills, technology trends and good practice
• Use external insight to help shape DD&T’s technical standards, capability priorities and communities of practice
• Support clear capability expectations for supplier and partner delivery, where this is relevant to DD&T standards and future needs
• Identify opportunities to use partner expertise to strengthen DD&T capability, knowledge sharing and professional development
• Make sure supplier and market insight is reflected in DD&T’s view of future capability and delivery requirements

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

Essentials

• Strong understanding of digital, data, engineering, cyber, architecture, and technology skill landscapes
• Experience using competency frameworks, skills taxonomies, and professional development pathways
• Strong analytical capability with experience interpreting workforce and capability data
• Experience managing supplier and partner relationships
• Experience in setting up and running communities of practice

Desirables

• Knowledge of technology industry skills frameworks (e.g. SFIA)
• Understanding of resource management, talent management, and contingent workforce strategies
• Experience within regulated, infrastructure, energy, or public sector environments

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary of £70,000 - £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%. 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