Title:  Principal Product Manager - Operational Systems NESO

About the role

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), our greatest asset is our people. Together, we are shaping a sustainable future where clean and affordable energy is accessible to everyone. Every day presents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, driving the progress of energy solutions in Great Britain, connecting communities, and contributing to a brighter tomorrow.

As the Principal Product Manager, you will play a pivotal role within NESO, leading transformative initiatives across our energy balancing and forecasting capabilities. These essential products are integral to our operations, empowering our teams to manage energy supply and demand in real-time, year-round.

You will oversee the product management of two dynamic offerings that involve more than 100 microservices using modern hybrid-cloud technology — which are continuously evolving through a Scaled Agile Framework.

In this strategic role within the Balancing Programme, you will guide the product delivery strategy, manage the backlog, and oversee the budget for the Open Balancing Platform and the Platform for Energy Forecasting. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will lead the Product Managers and collaborate with our Digital, Data, and Technology (DD&T) teams, ensuring all product changes are delivered with a customer-centric approach.

You will be directing various business Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to support our current and future initiatives. Your experience in leading direct reports and individuals within a matrix team structure will be crucial. Leveraging your expertise and leadership skills, will be crucial to promote collaboration and achieve success in this role.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Cardiff and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home with an expectation to be at the Wokingham site once per week.

Key accountabilities

• Full product lifecycle management for NESO Balancing and Forecasting Products.
• Lead the delivery of change on time and within budget, meeting current and future business needs.
• Develop strategy and product roadmaps aligned with NESO's business plans.
• Define and prioritise the backlog for balancing production systems.
• Manage delegated budget, forecast, and change management processes.
• Inform transformation plans, including decommissioning existing production systems.
• Lead communication of the project roadmap and change deliverables to internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the Balancing Programme and NESO at industry events.
• Leverage IT operations systems experience in large critical infrastructure projects, especially within the energy industry.
• Successfully articulate the company's vision at the executive level to ensure alignment and support for strategic initiatives

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:

• Passionate about driving change and comfortable shaping fast-paced projects.
• Dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for customers and stakeholders.
• Believe in the power of communication, collaboration, and inquisitiveness.
• Extensive experience leading, coaching, and developing teams.
• Proven ability to build and influence relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Critical National Infrastructure operation, performance requirements, and service delivery.
• Experience working with Hybrid-Cloud technology and large modern products with close to 100 microservices.
• Proven track record of leading change delivery in a continuous operational environment at a senior level.
• Previous IT delivery experience is necessary as you will be responsible for the full product lifecycle of NESO Balancing and Forecasting Products, developing stories, creating roadmaps, and defining current and future business capabilities, as well as identifying required architecture and tools.

Qualifications:

• Degree in STEM or technology-related subject.
• Chartered Engineer / Project Professional (Desirable).
• Scaled Agile accredited (Product Manager or leading SAFe) (Desirable).

About what you’ll get

A competitive salary between £85,000–£100,000 – dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a company car or allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance, private medical insurance, 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%.

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

At National Energy System Operator (NESO), we’re aiming to operate a zero-carbon electricity system for Great Britain by 2030 when there is sufficient renewable generation. This means change is needed across the whole system to transition away from fossil fuels and deliver clean, and affordable energy for everyone across the country.

Join a journey that matters.

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 28th April 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.

Interviews will be held 7th, 8th, 9th & 12th May.

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.

#LI-AW2

#LI-HYBRID