Job Description

About the role
National Energy System Operator (NESO) is on a journey towards a sustainable and secure energy future. Together we build on this momentum, advancing the Electricity System Operator's (ESO) plan for zero carbon operability of the electricity system by 2025.
We are looking for a Regional Public Affairs Manager to join our growing Regions and Nations Engagement Team as part of the NESO Corporate Affairs Directorate. The job will sit at the heart of the Regions and Nations Engagement Team and involve a varied workload from creating briefings for senior leaders across the business to attending meetings with senior regional and local stakeholders within England on energy related issues.
The Regions and Nations team is responsible for engaging key stakeholders externally including devolved parliamentarians, combined authorities, councils, lobbying groups, think tanks, trade associations, academics and other regional stakeholders. The team is also responsible for horizon scanning and taking ownership for lines to take/key messages across strategic integrated regional campaigns and other priority issues.
This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow or London, 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

• Regional lead for NESO public affairs engagement across the regions of England (it is likely that the role will cover a number of English regions).
• Enhance external engagement at a regional level with politicians, policymakers and energy industry players, building awareness of NESO's work.
• Deliver meetings and events with key stakeholders.
• Maintain a network of external contacts, pro-actively meeting stakeholders, attending conferences, other events with industry bodies and associations, lobby groups, environmental groups, think tanks, and academics, pro-actively sharing intelligence back into the business.
• Support the Head of Regions and Nations Engagement in building a political consensus on business-critical issues.
• Support the delivery of core products for the NESO senior leadership team, including a regional stakeholder engagement programme as well as written and oral briefings.
• Support delivery of NESO's programme of regional events and engagement with regional stakeholders, pro-actively sharing intelligence back into the business.
• Support the delivery of integrated campaigns on issues of strategic importance including messaging, collateral development, stakeholder mapping and forward planning.
• Work with Head of Regional and Nations Engagement to pro-actively advise senior leaders on political intelligence, delivering executive briefings and inputting into board papers.
• Work collaboratively alongside the wider Corporate Affairs Directorate to support horizon scanning to identify strategic issues and enable delivery against NESO's strategic objectives.
• Work across the business to develop and shape policy messages, advising the wider business on the style, tone and content of its messaging to maximise stakeholder impact.
• Regularly track progress against KPIs and report them to the Head of Regions and Nations Engagement.

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:
Knowledge

• Expert of knowledge about political environments and institutions at a regional and local level.
• Good understanding of the energy sector is essential, with a high awareness of the politics of energy at a regional level.
• Awareness of relevant national energy institutions
• Expert knowledge of managing complex stakeholder environments

Experience

• Experience of engaging with stakeholders either at regional, local or national level.
• Experience of working in a similar public affairs role is preferred but not essential.
• Solid experience of developing and maintaining a network of stakeholder contacts.
• Proven experience of designing and delivering high quality stakeholder engagement strategies, and high levels of networking and influencing externally.
• Strong track record of successfully communicating complex policy solutions in a clear and concise manner to varying audiences.
• Proven track record in planning and executing integrated campaigns, to achieve positive outcomes.
• In-depth experience of working with and influencing key internal stakeholders in a large, complex organisation, working in a collaborative manner to reach shared objectives.

Skills

• Ability to manage and prioritise complex tasks, working both collaboratively with others and independently, to deliver to a high standard and at pace to meet deadlines.
• Strong people manager with a commitment to team development and capability-building.
• Strong communicator and interpersonal skills, with an expert ability to confidently engage stakeholders at a senior level, including external bodies, partners, and regulators.
• Expert ability to understand, interpret and develop clear messaging about complex issues to provide engaging and effective communication with stakeholders.
• Ability to learn quickly and translate complex ideas into engaging, insightful and effective material which delivers clear information and messaging. Excellent story telling ability and narrative creation.
• Strong analytical skills, being able to understand and interpret complex data to refine information and provide effective insight, with a high degree of attention to detail.
• Strong ability to interpret data and complex issues into value-adding insights and recommendations that inform decision making.
• Commercial awareness and business acumen - good ability to see the bigger picture, providing effective understanding about how our work fits strategically with the wider business as well as wider policies and decision making.
• Strategic thinker with ability to contribute to key communications and decisions by interpreting external and internal trends and changes.

About what you'll get
A competitive salary between 59,000 - 68,000 - 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%.
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 09/07/2025 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.
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