Job summary
About Great British Energy
Great British Energy will be a publicly owned, operationally independent energy company, designed to drive clean energy deployment, boost energy independence, create jobs and ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers and communities reap the benefits of clean, secure, homegrown energy. Setting up Great British Energy is one of
government�s first steps for change and we will do this in a way that means it will have both an early impact and long-term success.
Great British Energy�s mission will be to responsibly accelerate the energy transition - enable and accelerate clean energy deployment, boost energy independence, create jobs and ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers and communities reap the benefits of clean, secure,
home-grown energy. Through its five functions (Project development, Project investment and ownership, Local Power Plan, Supply chains
and working with Great British Nuclear), Great British Energy will speed up the deployment of mature and new technologies, as well as local energy projects, to support the government�s aim of decarbonising our electricity system by 2030 whilst also ensuring we can meet future demand as we further decarbonise the economy.
To this end and as an example of what it can achieve, we have already agreed a major partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate to accelerate deployment and support UK supply chains. Great British Energy will work collaboratively with industry, local authorities and communities, and other public sector organisations such as the National Wealth Fund, to spread skilled jobs and investment across the country. Great British Energy will be backed by a
capitalisation of � billion of new money over this Parliament.
In recognition of Scotland�s leading role in the UK�s clean energy revolution, Great British Energy will be headquartered and run from Aberdeen.
More details can be found in the .��
Job description
About the role
The Director of Policy and External Affairs will be a pivotal member of the Great British Energy leadership team. Responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation's policy agenda and public affairs activity to enable delivery of Great British Energy�s mission. Working with senior leaders to build and maintain Great British Energy�s reputation as a business that is responsibly accelerating the energy transition and delivering social value.
This role will require close working with others in Great British Energy and its partners (such as The Crown Estate) to showcase the broad range of the company�s work and the impact it is having, as well as a close working relationships with the DESNZ policy, communications and sponsor teams.
Roles in what will become Great British Energy will initially be undertaken in shadow form within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. They will then be transferred to Great British Energy when the Great British Energy Bill becomes law and the company has the necessary procedures and systems in place to employ people directly.
Key Responsibilities:
As Great British Energy Directory of Policy and External Affairs your main responsibilities will include:
1. Work with the Interim CEO and DESNZ Director of Communications and their team to establish and lead a high performing policy and external affairs function, including a media team.
2. As part of the Great British Energy leadership team, shape the development of the company�s strategy, culture, values and operating model.
3. To lead and oversee the implementation of stakeholder engagement and public affairs strategy; to build and maintain trust with key stakeholders, including government departments, parliamentarians, trade bodies, think tanks, customers and partners.
4. Navigating the UK political landscape, ensuring that GBE is a high impact player in the energy market, moving at pace to establish GBE�s market and policy presence.
5. Shape Great British Energy�s positions on policy matters, horizon scanning and identifying gaps, risks and opportunities.
6. Act as a key advisor to the Chair, Interim CEO, and the leadership team on policy, strategy, and communications matters. A close working relationship with Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) will be essential.
7. Preparing for select committees and stakeholder meetings, drafting consultation responses and policy positions.
8. Establish strong relationships with senior Great British Energy and DESNZ colleagues, including supporting the Chair and CEO�s external engagement, offering strategic counsel to supporting decision making.
9. Lead the development and execution of public-facing campaigns underpinned by rigorous research and policy insights.
10. Develop and manage a policy and communications budget, ensuring high performance and value for money in line with Great British Energy�s strategic goals, project briefs, contracts and public sector procurement requirements.
Person specification
Skills, experience and qualifications (Essential) -It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following:
Essential Criteria
11. Extensive experience in a senior in-house policy and communications role, ideally within the energy sector or a related industry. Including experience in leading public relations and communications strategies that engage diverse stakeholders, including government, industry, and the public.
12. Proven track record of strategic thinking, problem-solving including using data and analysis and the ability to influence at the highest levels.
13. Strong understanding of UK government policy processes, with good political acumen and experience in policy development, legislative processes, and parliamentary engagement.
14. Demonstrable leadership and management experience within complex, fast-paced and changing organizations, with the ability to build and motivate a high-performing team with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion and collaborating across organisations for collective success and innovation.
15. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences.
16. Passionate about the Company and its policy objectives to deliver clean energy, drive economic growth, create UK jobs and supply chains and provide value for the UK taxpayer. Whilst demonstrating a passion for creating societal impact and value.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �76,000, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes �22,017 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
17. A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
18. Automatic enrolment into the, with an employer contribution of
19. A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
20. An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
21. Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period. Senior Civil Servant (SCS) staff are expected to aim for closer to 60% of the time at an office or non-home based location over the accounting period.