Regulatory Lead - ESO

Great Britain's electricity system is undergoing an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.

As the Electricity System Operator (ESO) for Great Britain we are in a privileged position. We sit at the heart of the energy system, balancing electricity supply and demand second by second. We keep the lights on and the electricity flowing directly to where it's needed. We also play an instrumental part in transforming the energy system so that it can meet the government's net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. We are constantly thinking about the future of energy and constantly working to operate a greener and cleaner system.

We are looking for people with regulation, policy, and code change experience to be part of a team that will deliver an exciting new perspective on industry codes in GB enabling the transition to net zero. Industry codes are the contracts which underpin the operational and commercial relationships in the energy industry. The team you will work in supports and enables the business to operate within our regulatory licensed activities, providing expert regulatory support to the business in order to maximize benefits for end consumers and Great Britain.

We have various roles available in a number of teams, as follows. If you are particularly interested in a role in one or more teams, please specify this in your application.

Commercial Codes
Commercial Code Change Leads facilitate and drive the change process within our legal and regulatory frameworks that underpin the operational and commercial relationships in the UK to ensure that the Codes and Frameworks in place are easy for all to understand, deliver positive change for end consumers and meet our ambitious net zero targets.

European Frameworks
The European Frameworks team seeks to deliver on the relevant requirements of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and the European Union to ensure efficient energy trading and system operation across borders. The team liaises and negotiates with relevant stakeholders to develop a GB position on European regulatory arrangements and works with European stakeholders to develop existing cross-border frameworks.

Whole System Frameworks
Whole System Frameworks is a new team, which forms a key part of our RIIO-2 business plan. The team works across the ESO and with industry and the regulator to ensure that the frameworks that impact our customers and stakeholders deliver benefit for the consumer and take account of the transition we are seeing in our industry. The team takes a broader view of how industry challenges impact on our frameworks and makes recommendations for change, supported by clear rationale.,

• Work across the energy industry to identify and analyse issues within the current industry codes and wider market frameworks, with the ability to present key findings and recommendations.


• Create and manage change plans that impact both internal and external business processes.


• Fulfil the chair and technical secretary roles for internal and external working groups (e.g. Code Panels / Workgroups).


• Manage Electricity System Operator (ESO) input and engagement into complex code modifications both internally and externally for both GB and EU related change.


• Manage, develop and implement industry code changes, identify and manage technical and commercial risk ensuring that ESO and consumer value is adequately represented.


• Collaborate closely with colleagues, customers, stakeholders (including DESNZ and Ofgem) and consumers to ensure that commercial, technical and regulatory arrangements within GB and interconnected markets deliver optimal benefit to consumers.


• Understand the evolving requirements of stakeholders as the energy system changes at pace and convert those requirements into a common vision of how industry frameworks can be used to effect changes that are aligned to our commercial and regulatory strategies and provide value to consumers, customers, stakeholders and the ESO.

Negotiate, manage, and influence key stakeholders who all have competing priorities or end goals.

What we do isn't just important - it's essential. That's why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we're looking for someone who has:


• Good electricity regulatory knowledge.


• Understanding of the industry codes and wider market frameworks, and the preference is that candidates have experience of changes under these industry codes.


• Knowledge or experience in change management, particularly developing complex changes that impact multiple stakeholders.


• Proven experience in building relationships, negotiation and Stakeholder Management.


• Understanding how the market operates and the challenges the industry, specifically Markets face, in the path towards Net Zero.


• Experience in facilitation of workshops or meetings.


• Experience in translating complex technical arguments into simple terms.


The role can be based in either Warwick, Wokingham or Glasgow and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.,
• Good knowledge of the energy industry and awareness of future developments e.g. Review of Electricity Market Arrangements.


• Change Management experience.


• Proven experience in Stakeholder Management.


• Understanding of Project Management principles.

Desirable

• Proven experience in the energy industry in the regulatory arena.


• Project Management accredited - Prince 2.


• Experience of facilitating workshops.
  
  In Summer of 2024, the ESO will transition to becoming the National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator will be 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, will be 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 will be 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 the ESO are today, 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.

A competitive salary between £43000 - £62000 - 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.