Strategy Engineer

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) sits at the heart of the UK’s energy transition, aiming to produce first of their kinds strategic energy plans across generation, transmission and distribution. NESO’s vision is to provide a future where everyone has access to reliable, clean and affordable energy; our work will be a catalyst for change across the global community.

The Electricity Network Strategy Development & Implementation teams sit within the Strategic Energy Planning directorate, aiming to produce GB’s first Centralised Strategic Network Plan, setting out the future of GB’s energy networks. In these high-profile teams, we currently have roles for Strategy Engineers (L6-8) to lead the development of the new strategic network planning policies and processes. Following on from the ground breaking  Holistic Network Design (HND) and Beyond 2030 report.

This could include aspects such as interactions with future seabed leasing rounds, translation of government ambitions, collaboration with European counterparts, and alignment to domestic planning processes and reforms. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, to set the direction by developing the strategies needed to deliver co-ordinated network design recommendations, embedding these into business-as-usual processes.

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 

Across the teams, key accountabilities are shown below. We are also interested to know if candidates have a preference of team.

Strategy Development:

• Strategic Planning & Horizon Scanning: Develop the vision and high-level strategic plans to advance GBs network planning, including engaging in horizon scanning work to identify risks and opportunities.

• European Planning & Engagement: Engage with TSOs across Europe to understand how domestic plans could align with the EU vision. Deliver insights into domestic planning teams, such as strategy implementation.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with internal (such as wider Strategic Energy Planning, Markets, and Connections) and external bodies (such as the TOs, Ofgem, and DESNZ) to explore strategic opportunities, policy changes, and relevance to network planning.

Strategy Implementation

• Future Methodology Development: Develop the strategy teams’ vision into more detailed activities, including providing the required changes to the future CSNP methodology.

• European Engagement & Implementation: Work with the Network Strategy team to liaise with Europe and utilise insights to develop and assess options for Cross-Border / European Network plans.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with internal (such as wider Strategic Energy Planning, Markets, and Connections) and external bodies (such as the TOs, Ofgem, and DESNZ) to develop and implement new thinking for future strategic network plans.

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

The roles require a variety of skillsets across personnel contributing in teams to deliver to time and quality. Hence, across both teams, the following attributes are desirable, although a candidate is not required to have all of the following to be successful:

• Baseline Understanding of an area of the Energy System: Due to the breadth and depth of the energy system, it is not expected for the candidate to have a wide range of experience across the entire energy system. However, experience across an area such as power system engineering, electricity transmission and distribution, connections, energy innovation, or energy policy is desired so that a base level of knowledge can be built upon. A desire to learn is preferred with experience of quickly engaging and understanding topics beneficial.

• Multi-Disciplinary Teamworking: Ability to work with technical experts across multiple subject areas (including policy, economics, power systems, and data science) to quickly gain insights across strategy areas, from which to understand and define problems.

• Excellent Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, especially in creating and presenting material that clearly “tells the story” to the audience (such as using the SCQA method). Ability to share key strategic insights through clear, concise, short reports and slide packs, ensuring that the key messages are relevant and pitched appropriately for the audience (from executive level to non-technical audiences).

• Strategic Thinking: Strategic thinker and curious mindset, being able to “see the bigger picture”, and connect multiple themes and activities, with a full “end-to-end” approach. Ability to present information in a novel format which allows a variety of audiences to engage with problems and provide solutions.

• Process Development: Ability to take a high-level concept and turn it into a pragmatic set of steps which can be followed by SMEs.

• Problem Solving through Uncertainty: Experience working in uncertain and adaptable projects where the “answer” is subject to a number of unknowns which may change the course of the project during its development.  Comfortable dealing with uncertainty and working within teams to help guide SMEs through this.

• Stakeholder (or Client) Relationship Experience: Ability to build high quality relationships both internally and externally and using those to achieve the required outcomes.

• Project Management Experience: Experience manging teams using tools such as work package breakdowns, Gantt charts, risk management, or similar and delivering projects to time, quality and cost.

#LI-MM1

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £49,000 - £70,000 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.

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

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.