Whole Energy Insights 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.

The Whole Energy Insights Manager is a strategically important role critical to the evolving advisory capability of the FSO as it seeks to highlight the complexities of the energy transition and drive progress towards net zero. There will be several Whole Energy Insights Managers in the Advisory team, bringing a diverse combination of whole energy expertise together and combining this with expert analytical capability to produce innovative and evidence-based advice and insights.

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

• Lead the development of strategic energy insights, advice, information and analysis that address the most complex challenges and opportunities in the industry. These insights will inform industry and government so that optimal decisions are made in support of the transition to net zero.
• Establish a position as a well-known and respected energy commentator, demonstrating the ability to communicate complex perspectives in simple language and contribute to the FSO's position as a thought leader.
• Forge and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders across all business areas, encouraging collaboration and a holistic approach to insight development whilst avoiding the creation of silos.
• Build strong and credible relationships with a wide-range of external stakeholders – including political entities, institutions, regulatory bodies, and industry players.
• Ensure the FSO's insights, advice and information are grounded in sound research and data. Develop innovative and evidence-based approaches to framing and answering questions related to the FSO's functions, the energy transition, and the attainment of Net Zero.
• Translate expert analysis into value-adding insight to inform FSO leadership's decision making, advice and positions on key topics across a broad range of energy trends and key economic, policy, investment, and financial decisions.
• Assemble and lead cross-functional teams of analysts, internal experts, and external partners to develop energy insights, providing strategic direction and ensuring these insights are backed by robust models and analysis.
• 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 and frameworks for developing insights.

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 working across multiple energy vectors with a whole system perspective, encompassing a range of domain areas such as: heat, hydrogen, markets, networks, resilience, economics and infrastructure. An understanding of how these areas interact is crucial.
• Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in project or programme management, particularly on cross-functional projects. Team leadership experience is desirable but not essential.

Skills

• Curious and forward thinking: You have an interest in the broader energy landscape and always seeking to understand the bigger picture. You stay informed about developments in various sectors and fuels, ensuring you can provide valuable insights.
• 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.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty: You thrive in ambiguity, are comfortable with uncertainty, and remain motivated in the face of adversity. Your ability to create well-founded opinions on topics is highly valued.

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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