National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re 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 Strategy team reports to NESO’s Strategy and Policy Director and has a mandate to support the Executive Leadership Team with shaping the organisation’s long-term corporate strategy and priorities, aligned to delivering NESO’s primary duties: net zero, security of supply, efficiency and economy. This includes a dynamic portfolio of initiatives, projects and strategies that touch all parts of the organisation.
As a Lead Strategist, you will lead the design and delivery of projects aligned to the corporate strategy. You will collaborate with management across the organisation to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the energy sector, to formulate strategies to enable positive change. This role’s immediate focus will be on NESO’s strategy and priorities for the 2026-2031 regulatory period, including NESO’s goals and strategic enablers for that period.
The role can be based out of London, Wokingham or Warwick offices, and we continue to offer hybrid working from the office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants as well as flexible working arrangements. The team generally attends a NESO office every Wednesday, subject to business needs and respecting personal circumstances.
Key Accountabilities
* Strategy project leadership: You will design and lead the delivery of projects to develop components of NESO’s corporate strategy and the strategies of other business units, ensuring alignment with NESO’s legislated duties.
* Strategy subject matter expertise: You will provide thought leadership and constructive challenge to the corporate strategy, departmental strategies and strategic priorities, to inform effective decision-making by NESO’s Executive and Board.
* Strategy analysis and synthesis: You will lead analyses of trends, risks and opportunities to synthesise actionable insights and strategies.
* Informing decision making: You will lead on the development of strategic recommendations based on robust analyses and stakeholder engagement, ensuring cases for change are engaging, robust and viable.
* Stakeholder management: You will lead on collaboration with internal stakeholders and support Managers on external collaboration, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement.
* Quality management: You will be responsible for ensuring that all project deliverables meet the standards expected by our internal and external decision-makers.
* Negotiation and facilitation: You will convene managers and technical leads from across NESO to enable collaboration on strategy development and discussion of trade-offs between different stakeholders.
* Peer coaching: You will develop capability development in the strategy team by coaching your peers on tools, frameworks and skills relevant to the corporate strategy process.
About you
Knowledge and Experience
* We are seeking candidates with a minimum of 5 years of experience as a strategist, strategy consultant, or other roles with comparable skillsets.
* We do not require a background in energy and welcome applications from candidates with relevant experience in other sectors.
* Experience of developing strategy for public sector organisations and/or commercial organisations operating in regulated sectors is beneficial but not mandatory.
Skills
We are seeking candidates with these skills:
* Strategy leadership: Demonstrable experience of strategy project leadership and subject matter expertise, with a history of leading strategy development from inception to completion.
* Problem Solving & analytical: Able to rapidly and robustly synthesise complex information to identify the root causes for problems and provide actionable insights.
* Commercial: A demonstrable and practical understanding of how businesses operate, including the strategy cycle, financial management, business planning, and organisational change.
* Communication: Able to influence and inform Managers and Leaders, conveying concise and compelling oral, written and visual narratives.
* Stakeholders: Able to build and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external Managers and Leaders.
* Organisation: Able to structure and prioritise own time to ensure commitments are met, whilst being able to respond to emergent needs from the Executive.
* Project Management: Able to plan, delivery manage, risk manage, report and evaluate strategy development projects, leveraging industry standard systems and tools.
* Quality: An understanding of the exacting quality required by Executives and a track record of refining strategy, deliverables and project outputs to meet their needs.
About what you’ll get
A competitive salary between £52,972 – 68,000 – dependent on experience and capability.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 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
National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain’s 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 let’s energise progress.
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 Britain’s 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 won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.
More information
This role closes on 23/04/2025 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.
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.
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.
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