Horizon Scanning Manager - ESO

About the role

The UK has set out its ambition to be net zero by 2050 and the energy industry is responding – together we are building a cleaner, greener Britain.

If you are passionate about net zero, enthusiastic about making a real difference to society and enjoy working in a talented and collaborative environment then please consider applying for a role with the Electricity System Operator (ESO) as it transforms to become the Future System Operator (FSO) for GB. The FSO is an independent and expert whole energy organisation on a mission to accelerate our energy transition.  

By working closely with government, the regulator and industry, the FSO will play a vital and central role in advising on energy policy and strategy to ensure that it is not only optimal and deliverable but that it drives effective action and delivery plans across all industry vectors. The FSO will also utilise its experience and expertise across the whole energy system to provide independent energy insights, supporting industry with optimal decision making and strategic direction.

As Horizon Scanning Manager you will play an important forward-looking role in ensuring that the FSO fully understands developments, challenges and opportunities relating to the energy sector through horizon scanning and engagement activities across the whole energy system landscape (e.g. natural gas, electricity and hydrogen, transmission and distribution, heat and transport). This will particularly focus on strategy and policy developments, energy trends, system operation, technological trends and innovation, ensuring that internal energy intelligence and insight is both accurate and broad reaching.

This role can be based from Warwick, 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

Our mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain’s energy network and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and green electricity for consumers. We work with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using insight to make sure we can balance the system today and find opportunities to transform the way it operates tomorrow.

Becoming the Energy Future System Operator

As you may have seen the Government and Ofgem have asked the ESO to take on new roles and responsibilities

Becoming the Energy Future System Operator is a critical step to help deliver a reliable and clean energy transition for all. The ESO, including all of its existing roles, will be at the heart of the new Future System Operator, taking on additional roles with a whole energy system mindset to drive progress towards net zero while maintaining energy security and minimising costs for consumers.

The new organisation will be set up as a public corporation with operational independence from government – bringing parties together to support optimised decision making and action. As now, it will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements. It is anticipated that the new organisation will be up and running by or in 2024. 

The time to act on climate change 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.

Key Accountabilities

• Through research, benchmarking, and attendance at industry events, keep up to date with trends, innovations, disruptions, and political and regulatory changes impacting the energy sector. Maintain awareness of these and anticipate potential future policy changes or decisions.
• Cultivate strong and credible relationships with a diverse range of external stakeholders such as energy think-tanks, innovators, developers, investors, consumer representatives and stakeholders within government and regulatory bodies. Regularly engage with this network to maintain awareness of sector developments and trends.
• Share horizon scanning findings with the broader Advisory team, contributing to the enhancement of whole energy system models and assumptions, prioritisation of energy insights, responses to government and Ofgem requests for advice, and the formulation of policy reviews and recommendations. 
• Build effective and collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders across the organisation. Translate research and insights obtained through horizon scanning activities into meaningful briefings, advice and internal updates for executives and strategy teams, informing business strategy.
• Prior to the FSO’s launch, support the implementation of the Advisory function, taking a lead on activities to establish and expand the team. This may involve supporting team capability development, defining ways of working, and suggesting appropriate tools for effective horizon scanning.
• Develop and embed the approach and channels for horizon scanning within the FSO, ensuring the adoption of best practices for capturing and coordinating internal and external intelligence.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to a small team of analysts conducting horizon scanning activities.
• Maintain an up-to-date repository of intelligence on energy trends and potential changes in GB and beyond. This will ensure the FSO remains well informed and capable of anticipating changing trends and their implications for the energy transition.

About you

Knowledge

• Understanding of the energy sector and relevant interconnected industries (e.g. water) - knowledge of the structure, regulatory environment and the short- and long-term issues affecting the industry.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in horizon scanning or market research related roles
• Experience establishing and/or leading horizon scanning functions within organisations
• Leadership experience in future-focused strategic business areas
• Experience in the energy industry (essential)
• Experience working across multiple energy fuels with a whole system perspective (desirable)

Skills

• Structured problem solver: You excel in structured problem solving and are motivated to create order out of chaos and simplify complex issues. You are skilled at driving progress and operationalising solutions.
• Effective communication: You are a great communicator, both in writing and articulation, capable of conveying complex ideas in a simple way. You can “speak the language” of whole energy and communicate and influence effectively at any level, making sure your insights resonate with a broad audience.
• Stakeholder management: Your strong engagement skills enable you to see the bigger picture and approach a problem from several different perspectives. You can extract information from busy individuals and build relationships that facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Strategic thinking: You can analyse and apply your understanding of the strategic challenges and opportunities facing the business, support critical decision making processes.
• Analytical skills: You can convert quantitative and qualitative information into valuable insights and analyses for a diverse range of stakeholders.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £65,000 - £70,000pa – dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance 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 number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

More Information

This role closes on the 29th September 2023 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. An interview day will be held on the 20th October 2023 in Warwick.

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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