Title:  Dispatch Strategy Manager - NESO

About the role

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.

The Dispatch Strategy Manager and their team play a pivotal role in shaping and optimising GB’s near-to real-time markets ensuring generation and demand are balanced. Efficient dispatch involves adjusting these markets to ensure that every pound spent by consumers maximises the benefits in terms of both security and the cost of electricity. Design choices made by this team will incorporate price signals to enable an affordable and effective electricity market and transition to a decarbonised energy system. Significant challenges include how to transition from fossil fuels to low carbon sources of generation, unleash the potential of demand flexibility, the optimisation of smaller, distributed energy assets close to real-time and ensuring the limitations of the transmission network are having the least negative impact on consumer bills

The Dispatch Strategy Manager will lead a team of talented economic analysts, data scientists and policy specialists. This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership abilities, a deep understanding of the energy sector and the ability to distil technical information into easy-to-understand summaries and policy papers. The Dispatch Strategy Manager will collaborate closely with key stakeholders, including DESNZ, Ofgem and the wider industry, to ensure NESO’s dispatch strategy enables a secure, efficient and economic energy future.

This role is based from Wokingham, 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.
 

About us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

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.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop Dispatch Options: set the direction for the team to develop and test alternative market arrangements (including the potential for a move to a zonal market) that support the transition to a net-zero power system. This will involve collecting and communicating technical information from across NESO to support and test the dispatch options. It may also involve supporting the growth of a modelling capability within the team/directorate to test different options.
• Lead and Manage a High-Performing Team: lead a team of high-skilled analysts, data scientists and policy specialists, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to maximise their potential. Building and maintaining a cohesive and motivated team will be crucial to achieving the teams’ objectives. Create and role-model a culture where the NESO values thrive(Be Curious; Accelerate Progress; Create Belonging; and, Build Trust).
• Report directly into the Government’s REMA Programme: work closely with the DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)’s Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme. This collaboration will involve actively engaging in discussions, providing insights and papers into the programme board, and contributing to the development of new market arrangements that align with the organisation's dispatch strategies. The analysis that is presented (written and verbal) must be in a way that is compelling, visually appealing and impactful.
• Working with the Head of Governance and Stakeholder to: Ensure healthy project management of your workstream – milestones are met, good governance and compliance is achieved, risks are managed and mitigated, and all reporting is completed on time and to a high quality. Execute the stakeholder strategy for the programme. This will involve engaging and influencing stakeholders within the REMA programme (DESNZ and Ofgem) but also across the GB industry

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. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• A proven track record in the energy sector, with a strong understanding of dispatch/balancing arrangements and power system operations.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities, with experience collaborating with government departments and industry stakeholders.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to understand and distil complex technical information to make informed decisions and influence others.
• Knowledge of energy markets, challenges and opportunities of the current dispatch arrangements and regulatory frameworks.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £70,000 - £80,000pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 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%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

More Information

This role closes on 2nd December 2024 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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