Deputy Director, Hydrogen

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Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provided pay range

This range is provided by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Working Pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to shape the future of the UK’s hydrogen economy. As Deputy Director, Hydrogen, you will act as a Project Director, leading approximately 50 specialists across five Grade 6 policy and commercial delivery teams.

You will be responsible for delivering key hydrogen business models and market frameworks that support the UK’s transition to clean power, including:

• Hydrogen Power Business Model (H2PBM): Designing and delivering a new Dispatchable Power Agreement for Hydrogen to Power to support the first UK hydrogen‑fired projects.
• Hydrogen Transport Business Model (HTBM): Preparing to launch the first round of the HTBM in 2026, including publishing Heads of Terms and delivering detailed contract design (RAB, Revenue Subsidy, and Liaison Agreements).
• Transport and Storage: Jointly leading allocation design and delivery for the Hydrogen Transport and Storage Programme and guiding long‑term strategic planning for capacity in the UK.
• Market Framework: Delivering a new market framework for Hydrogen, including policy on System Balancing and System Operation, and implementing the economic framework via a new hydrogen Network Code and Licences, in collaboration with Ofgem.
• Regulation: Overseeing necessary non‑economic regulation changes across health and safety, planning, and approvals, working closely with regulators including NSTA and Opred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead 5 Grade 6 policy and commercial delivery teams, with a team of c.50.
• Project Director of the Hydrogen Power Business Model (H2PBM) – design and deliver a new Dispatchable Power Agreement for Hydrogen to Power to deliver the first ever UK hydrogen‑fired projects to support HMG’s Clean Power Mission.
• Project Director for the Hydrogen Transport Business Model (HTBM) – prepare to launch the first round of the HTBM in 2026 with Heads of Terms published early 2026 to enable industry to prepare high‑quality bids for the round. Deliver detailed contract design for both the Hydrogen Transport Regulated Asset Base (RAB), Revenue Subsidy Agreement and Liaison Agreement to make up the suite of contractual documents supporting the Business Model.
• Jointly lead (with the Project Director for the Hydrogen Storage Business Model) allocation design and delivery for the Hydrogen Transport and Storage Programme.
• Deliver a new market framework for Hydrogen to ensure that market participants are aware of their responsibilities and hydrogen can flow through the system from where it is produced to where it is needed. This will include devising policy on System Balancing and System Operation.
• Implement the economic framework through the delivery of a new hydrogen Network Code and Licences, working closely with Ofgem.
• Lead Transport and Storage Strategic planning for Hydrogen, assessing the need for transport and storage capacity in the UK.
• Deliver non‑economic regulation changes as necessary across health and safety, planning, approvals working closely with regulators including NSTA and Opred.
• Playing a leadership role in developing the structures and ways of working of the new MDP Group, and leading teams through the changes.

Person specification

Within your CV and Statement of Suitability, it is important that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

• Significant experience leading large, complex policy and commercial programmes.
• Strong understanding of economic regulation, market design and commercial models for major infrastructure.
• Proven ability to translate complex strategic policy objectives into deliverable business models, contracts, and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Experience leading organisational change and building high‑performing, inclusive teams.
• Strong strategic judgement with experience shaping long‑term system or infrastructure planning.

How to apply

To apply for this post please follow the instructions on the CS Jobs website by no later than 23:55, Tuesday 6th January 2026. As part of the application process you are asked to complete the following:

• A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1,000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
• Shortlisted candidates may be invited to undertake a series of psychometric assessments including a Staff Engagement Exercise (SEE) as part of the recruitment process prior to the final interview. This assessment will not result in a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ decision. Rather it is designed to support the panels decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.
• Final Interview which will include a presentation exercise. Full details will be shared with shortlisted candidates nearer the time.

For further information on the application process and an overview on what to expect, please visit the Civil Service Careers website.

Indicative Timeline

• Advert Closing Date: 23:55, Tuesday 6th January 2026
• Shortlist Announcement: w/c 19th January 2026
• Staff Engagement Exercise (SEE): w/c 2nd February 2026
• Interviews: w/c 16th February 2026

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Other and Strategy/Planning

Industries

Government Administration