Innovation Implementation Manager NESO

About the Role

National Energy System Operators (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together were 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 Innovation Implementation Manager plays a key role in transitioning successful innovation projects into operational NESO products tools and services. This hybrid role spans technical integration and operational readiness ensuring solutions meet NESOs digital data cyber and architectural standards while supporting business adoption and early benefits realisation.

They will work closely with DD&T Delivery teams and the business in gathering project requirements. Working alongside DD&T architecture to approve each projects technical design and scope for productionisation.

They will be able to review and challenge project delivery by external suppliers ensuring the deliverables remains on track to agreed NESO requirements.

They will support the progression of Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) projects from Alpha into NESOled Beta stages reviewing applications strengthening submissions and ensuring successful initiation into the Incubator delivery portfolio.

This role can be based from Wokingham and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. This is a full time position and we are open to flexible working arrangements.

Key Accountabilities

• End-to-End Implementation Planning: Ensure all Innovation projects have clear implementation plans covering scope milestones technical integration operational readiness learning capture risks and dependencies.
• Manages team responsible for the Incubator team processes; including the development and continuous improvement of this processes to support the successful implementation of innovation project outcomes into BAU.
• CrossFunctional Stakeholder Management: Engage with innovation teams DD&T delivery teams product owners Business Partners Business Change NESO operational teams external suppliers and project partners and UKRI/Ofgem.
• Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) transition: lead on the transition from SIF Alpha to Beta stages; review applications provide relevant input to strengthen readiness for project kick-off and delivery. Support applications through the Ofgem/UKRI evaluation process.
• Technical Integration & Compliance: Ensure alignment or projects with architecture data cyber engineering and platform standards.
• Operational Adoption & Business Readiness: Define operational handover requirements processes roles and training.
• Benefits Realisation Support: Oversee handover into BAU and ensure planning for benefits tracking is in place.
• They will ensure that projects are compliant with NESO Governance and Ofgem Governance (accordingly to the funding) and the two Governance processes work in alignment.
• Participate in all Innovation Productionisation Committees; forums for tracking pipeline of projects requiring productionisation assigning responsibilities and escalating risks/issues.

About You

Were forging the path and we know we cant do it alone. Thats why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative this case were looking for someone who:

• Balanced technical and operational capability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience delivering or transitioning digital/data/technical solutions into operations.
• Understanding of agile product development and technical delivery.
• Experience with innovation funding (SIF NIA) or structured bid/governance processes.

Essentials

• Experience in implementation technical delivery service transition or operational change particularly in digital transformation or innovation projects.
• Bachelors Degree or higher in a relevant area or equivalent experience

Desirables

• Energy sector experience.
• Professional certification in project management (Agile PM Scrum APM).

Dont meet every single requirement Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NESO we are committed to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace for everyone. So if youre excited about this role but your experience or qualifications dont match the job description exactly we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

About What Youll Get

A competitive salary between 65000 - 75000pa 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%.

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 Operators (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britains 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 lets 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 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.