About the role

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

The Business Manager role sits within the People Function, and will report directly to the Chief People Officer. This role should be the driver of turning the People Priorities into NESO-wide outcomes by enabling high-quality senior leadership decisions, and coherent delivery across the People portfolio. It will also be key to support business planning for the People Function.

How you deliver is as important as what you deliver. You will build team cohesion, enable fruitful collaboration within and outside the function, and keep a humane, predictable cadence while moving at pace.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, 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

• Balancing Strategy and Delivery.
• Owning the pipeline for ExCo, OpCo, RemCo, P&G and Board People items.
• Drafting/curating papers, decision briefs, and Q&A packs (2–4 pages), framing options, trade-offs, value, risks, and stakeholder impacts.
• Pre-wiring decisions with stakeholders; align timings, dependencies and comms.
• Surfacing interdependencies early; broker trade-offs and land clear ownership.
• Maintaining a light, visual portfolio view that shows progress vs. outcomes (not just tasks).
• Joining the dots across all the People Teams and their key deliverables and Corporate partners (Finance, Strategy, DD&T, Legal, Corporate Affairs), mainly the other enabling strategies (Customer, Public Voice, Digital).
• Acting as a troubleshooter and an advisor to senior leadership on People matters and stakeholder perceptions.
• Proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with People projects.
• Embedding inclusive, sustainable delivery rhythms (meeting hygiene, decision rights, finish-weeks, peak rotas, no-meeting blocks).
• Modelling constructive challenge and psychological safety; celebrate learning as well as results.
• Proactively seeking market best practices that can be applied to NESO, with an ambitious lens of innovation and creativity, never losing sight of the overall NESO corporate strategy, purpose, mission and values.

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:

• Experience in People Priorities in a complex environment.
• Exceptional synthesis and writing skills for Executive/Board level.
• Ability to manage complex projects, prioritise competing demands and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Can collaborate and influence internal stakeholders at all levels, building trust and bringing people along to help deliver corporate strategies.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and high-pressure situations.
• Analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret People and business data to inform strategy.

About what you'll get

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

NESO, 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 28/10/2025 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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