Energy Sector Lead in London

Salary: £95,000-£140,000

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.

Location: London (1 Horse Guards Road). This post can be based in London (1 Horse Guards Road). Any applicants who are already NISTA staff can also apply to be based from their existing locations in Birmingham (23 Stephenson Street), or Leeds (2 Whitehall Quay).

About the Team

National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, HMT. The Prime Minister has called for reform of the British state, seeking to go further and faster on renewal, and to ensure a more active government. To support these aims, the government has brought together its expertise on infrastructure strategy and delivery under a joint unit of HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, establishing the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). Since its creation in April 2025, it has delivered jointly HMT colleagues the UK Infrastructure: A 10 year Strategy, setting out a long‑term vision for infrastructure and setting the framework for a new approach to delivery infrastructure in the UK. In Jul 2025 it delivered the first major reform with its UK Infrastructure Pipeline. The work of NISTA is essential to enabling economic growth and successful delivery to meet the aims and ambitions set by government in its plan for change, and five missions, which includes delivering Net Zero by 2050.

About the Job

The Energy Sector Lead is a key role in NISTA and one which is expected to provide evidence‑based thought leadership across the sector, including information on emerging trends, challenges and opportunities across the energy landscape. They will work across HMG linking policy with delivery and helping government realise its ambition to transition the UK to a clean energy superpower, driven by the expansion of clean electricity generation and decarbonisation. The Energy Sector Lead will provide expert technical, commercial, financial and strategic advice to support the successful delivery of the government’s 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy. The role ensures energy considerations – spanning security, decarbonisation, resilience, market design, regulatory alignment and affordability – are fully embedded across major programmes and infrastructure investment decisions.

The postholder responsibilities and duties will include:

• Providing oversight of Government’s Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) and Mega Projects, which includes: Sizewell C, Small Modular Reactors, Carbon Capture Storage, Hydrogen etc.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert, be an active member of decision‑making boards across the energy sector covering policy, programme delivery and negotiating with industry.
• Act as an integrator across DESNZ, HMT, Cabinet Office and Number 10 to support efficient cross‑government decision making.
• Providing regular briefings to Cabinet Office and HMT Ministers where required.
• Reviewing and shaping policy development, building relationships (internal and external) with key stakeholders involved across government in the energy transition, guiding project teams, and ensuring that delivery plans are robust, evidence‑based and aligned with governments ambitions to transition the UK to a clean energy superpower.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Advisory and Policy Insight
• Programme and Project Support
• Stakeholder Engagement and Influence
• Technical and Analytical Expertise
• Leadership and Knowledge Sharing

About You

We’re looking for people with the right mix of skills, experience and insight to make a real impact on the UK energy system. You’ll bring strong expertise and a good understanding of how the UK energy system operates, alongside proven experience gained in government, the energy industry, consultancy, infrastructure planning or a similar environment. You will have excellent analytical skills, with the ability to commission, quality‑assure and interpret complex technical information, and turn it into clear, evidence‑based advice. This may include work involving modelling, feasibility studies, gateway reviews, major investment submissions and impact assessments. You’ll be comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, building strong relationships and working effectively across organisational boundaries. You’ll also have a solid understanding of energy‑related regulatory frameworks and policy levers, including different models of private finance. We’re looking for someone who can think strategically while also supporting detailed programme delivery, balancing long‑term objectives with day‑to‑day priorities.

In addition, you’ll have experience in at least two of the following areas:

• Large‑scale infrastructure planning, project delivery or investment appraisal
• Whole‑system energy modelling or techno‑economic assessment
• Supporting Net Zero policy, decarbonisation pathways or tackling grid‑related challenges
• Understanding key enabling factors such as supply chains, planning reform, innovation funding and workforce requirements

Some of the Benefits we love!

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant).
• Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.
• Flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours).
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages.
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28%.
• Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity.