Title:  Project Costs & Commercial Analyst - NESO

About the role

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) keeps the lights on for Great Britain. We move electricity around the grid to ensure supply meets demand every second of every day. But that’s not all we do. As the UK moves towards its 2050 net zero target, the ESO has a vital part to play. We want to operate a zero-carbon energy system some of the time by 2025 and run on clean green energy all the time by 2035. 

This role is to support all DD&T portfolio investments to achieve our ambition, partnering with Delivery Managers in costing their delivery plans, month end and commercial processes plus oversight of correct usage of finance policies and guidance (Capex/Opex/iRTB). 

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow 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

• Understand and be able to communicate project financial processes within DD&T, working closely with both the Portfolio and Senior Delivery Managers, and finance teams
• Support and guide Project Managers and Solution Engineering Managers to ensure good financial management practices are adhered to
• Working with Portfolio Finance Lead, ensure guidance on committed (purchase orders) and transactional spend (budget transfers, central overheads recharge) are followed by projects
• Support and guide Project Forecasts, both within year and future financial years – provide overview of budgets and forecasts
• Work closely with the SDMs to determine future pipeline of projects and the potential financial implications
• Coach PMs in best accounting practice
• Act as point of contact for financial queries from portfolio stakeholders
• Support and be the NESO IT champion for any new finance tools
• Review portfolio submissions to ensure good finance practices are being followed
• Support creation of investment papers and provide financial challenge
• Understand and challenge what project finance figures are comprised of, ensure baseline cost forecast methodology consistency between projects
• Ensure that supporting month-end narratives for key financial metrics are captured 
• Support queries or reports from PMs and SDMs
• Ensure finance journals are figures are reconciled and cleared down on a regular basis

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 have: 

• Direct experience of a broad range of finance processes and best practices
• Help in creating, standardising, and maintaining financial processes
• Experience of IT project/product delivery financial environments
• Excellent analytical skills with eye for detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to explain complex financial narratives effectively to technical and non-technical audiences
• Commercial focus – understanding of the cost and value drivers of IT and the Business 
• Customer focus – ability to interact with the IT Project Management community to benefit the end-to-end result
• Ability to build successful working relationships and partnerships with IT Programme Managers, Project Managers, and other stakeholders; demonstrate influence over peers and more senior managers in a virtual team environment
• Ability to build successful working relationships and partnerships with finance teams
• Attention to detail – able to ensure all financial figures are sound before being shared
• Ability to take initiative and act in a proactive manner; not needing significant direction or management
• Ability to perform well in high pressure environment, balancing competing priorities with strong commitment to delivering results
• Operate as a role model for the business values 

About what you’ll get

A competitive salary between £46,000 – 55,000 – 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 (NESO) has a key role to play in tackling climate change by transitioning GB’s electricity system to net zero. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity system in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon power operation by 2030 when there is sufficient renewable generation. We are also providing advice to the Government on achieving a decarbonised power system by 2030.

So, join the energy transformation and help shape the future. 
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 04/05/2025 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.