Energy Policy Senior Manager

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is at the heart of Great Britains ambitious energy transformation. Working with government Ofgem and industry we provide independent whole-energy insights to enable a cleaner more sustainable future. As the system operator and planner NESO advises on the energy transition balancing security affordability and decarbonisation while ensuring deliverability and optimisation across all sectors.

This Senior Policy Manager role sits within the Energy Policy team in NESOs Strategy and Policy Directorate bridging deep system expertise with policy makers. You will lead strategic engagement with government develop NESOs positions on critical energy policy issues and drive best practice across the organisation. Success depends on collaboration across NESO and the wider sector and building strong relationships with senior officials. Exceptional influencing skills and credibility are essential to maintain NESOs role as a trusted strategic partner.

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

• Provide strategic leadership in shaping NESOs energy policy thinking delivering high-impact insights and positions that address complex challenges and opportunities across the GB energy system. Influence senior decision-making at NESO Executive level Government and industry.
• Lead the initial assessment and coordination of requests for advice analysis and information for Government and Ofgem under NESOs statutory duties. Work collaboratively across NESO to shape and deliver responses ensuring policy elements are robust and strategically aligned.
• Champion and lead NESOs Policy Community of Practice empowering colleagues to engage effectively and consistently as trusted expert partners. Provide tools guidance and a collaborative space for sharing intelligence and insights and support strategic engagement with DESNZ and Ofgem.
• Support senior NESO governance ensuring policy insights and advice are integrated into Board and Executive decision-making.
• Build and sustain influential relationships with senior stakeholders across NESO Government and industry fostering alignment and breaking down silos.
• Represent NESO at senior forums and high-profile engagements confidently presenting and persuading stakeholders up to CEO level to champion whole-system thinking and strategic priorities.
• Provide decisive and inspiring leadership within the Energy Policy team and across the Strategy & Policy Directorate setting a clear vision empowering colleagues and driving delivery against ambitious objectives.

About you

We are seeking candidates with broad strategic insight and the ability to connect the dots across the energy system rather than deep technical specialism in a single area.

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of the GB energy policy landscape political structures and processes.
• Strong understanding of the energy sector including regulatory environment and the short- and long-term issues affecting the industry.

• Ability to understand and navigate key policy drivers and trade-offs including the energy trilemmabalancing security affordability and sustainability.

Experience

• Significant experience in the energy sector ideally with a focus on whole energy or net zero. Deep expertise in electricity policy is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable experience building relationships with a range of stakeholders including senior government officials. Comfortable working across organisational boundaries to deliver common goals.
• Proven experience in senior management roles in the utilities sector or similar industries.
• Experience leading and working in multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

• Strategic thinking: Able to distil complex challenges into frameworks that support policy positions and senior decision-making.
• Programme and project management: Comfortable developing and implementing work programmes at pace with effective risk and dependency management.
• Stakeholder engagement: Strong engagement skills able to build relationships and facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Effective communication: Excellent written and verbal communicator able to convey complex ideas simply and influence at all levels including Executives and CEO.
• Structured problem solving: Skilled at creating order from complexity and operationalising solutions.
• Analytical skills: Able to convert quantitative and qualitative information into valuable insights for diverse stakeholders. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and providing clarity in a rapidly evolving policy landscape.

About what youll get

A competitive salary between 80000 - 90000 dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance a benefits allowance private medical insurance 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%.

You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.

About us

Traditionally Britains energy system has been split into two areas gas and electricity but to ensure that Britains energy system is secure and affordable there needs to be co-ordination across the whole energy system with one single entity responsible for translating policy into immediate strategy. National Energy System Operator (NESO) will bring unparalleled change.

Forge a path to a sustainable future for everyone.
Your 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 Britains 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.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team you wont just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain youll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

More information

This role closes on 16 December 2025 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 early January.

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.

Were 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.