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 and Implementation teams are helping shape GB’s first Centralised Strategic Network Plan, building on the pioneering work of the Holistic Network Design and Beyond 2030. These roles will help develop the strategies, methodologies and processes that guide how the electricity network evolves through the energy transition.

You will work on complex, high-profile questions across network planning, emerging policy, whole-system change and future investment needs, including how CSNP integrates with wider NESO plans such as SSEP and RESP. Working across engineering, economics, policy and regulation, you will engage with experts across NESO and with government, Ofgem and industry to turn uncertainty into clear strategic direction and practical approaches for implementation.

This role can be based from our Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow or London offices, 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: Look ahead across the energy system, government policy, regulation and industry to identify emerging risks and opportunities, and develop the vision and strategic direction needed to advance GB’s future network planning.

• Strategy Development & Problem Solving: Tackle complex and often ambiguous challenges, bringing together expertise and evidence from across NESO to develop strategies, policies and high-level approaches for how network planning should evolve.

• Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Engagement: Connect the bigger picture across network and wider energy system planning, working with teams across NESO and external stakeholders such as TOs, Ofgem and DESNZ to explore opportunities, test thinking, influence emerging policy and build support for future strategic direction..

Strategy Implementation

• Future Methodology Development: Translate strategic direction into the methodologies, processes and requirements needed for future network planning, including developing and improving approaches used within the CSNP

• Option Development & Implementation: Work with engineering, economic and other specialists to turn high-level concepts into practical options, assess their implications and develop approaches that can be implemented through future planning activities.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Integration: Work across NESO and with external stakeholders such as TOs, Ofgem and DESNZ to develop and test new approaches, maintaining strategic intent as new thinking is integrated into future strategic network planning.

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

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey.

For these roles, we’re looking for people who can bring a mix of strategic, technical and delivery skills. You do not need to meet every criterion, but the following experience and attributes would help you succeed:

• Energy System Understanding: Knowledge or experience in an area of the energy system, such as power system engineering, electricity transmission or distribution, connections, energy innovation or energy policy. You do not need experience across the whole energy system, but should be curious and able to get to grips with new subjects quickly.

• Multi-Disciplinary Teamworking: Ability to work with technical experts across multiple subject areas (including policy, economics, power systems, and data science) bringing together different perspectives and expertise to understand and solve complex problems.

• Excellent Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex information into a clear and compelling story. 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: A curious and strategic mindset, with the ability to see the bigger picture, connect different themes and activities, and consider the longer-term implications of decisions. Able to look beyond the immediate problem and identify wider dependencies, opportunities and consequences across the energy system.

• Develop New Approaches: Ability to take a high-level strategic concept or desired outcome and determine the questions, evidence, expertise and activities needed to turn it into a practical approach

• Problem Solving through Uncertainty: Comfortable tackling complex or ambiguous problems where the evidence, requirements or answer may not initially be clear. Able to bring structure to uncertainty, challenge assumptions and adapt thinking as new information emerges, and help others navigate ambiguity towards a clear way forward.

• Stakeholder Relationship & Influence: Ability to build effective relationships internally and externally, understand different perspectives and use evidence, judgement and clear communication to influence outcomes.

• Planning & Delivery: Ability to structure and coordinate complex work, including establishing activities, dependencies, risks and responsibilities, bringing together contributions from others and delivering high-quality outcomes to agreed timescales.

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.