Head of Energy Networks in Wales

Overview

Closing date: 16/02/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis: Fixed Term, Loan, Secondment

Actual starting salary: A starting salary between £61,098 and £73,057 will be offered to the successful candidate based on their skills, knowledge, experience and performance at interview. This range is not negotiable. Candidates who score above a 5 in the “Experience 2” criterion will qualify for the higher salary.

Salary range or pay band: Grade 7 £61,098 to £73,057

Allowances: No

Work pattern: Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Group: Economy, Energy and Transport

Directorate: Energy

Branch: Energy Delivery

Location(s): Pan Wales

Purpose of post

Shape Wales’s Energy Future. This role sits within the Energy Division, part of the Economy, Energy and Transport Group — a high-profile, fast-moving team at the forefront of delivering Net Zero Wales and driving green growth. Our work is central to reducing emissions from power and heat, securing new renewable generation, and ensuring energy infrastructure supports prosperity and wellbeing across Wales. Energy underpins economic success, and Welsh Government is leading the way with long-term energy planning to give clarity on future needs. This work helps network companies design and deliver a modern, integrated energy system for Wales. As Lead for Network Liaison, you’ll represent Wales in UK-wide infrastructure planning, working closely with UK Government, delivery bodies, and partners to ensure Welsh priorities are embedded in national plans. You’ll coordinate across Welsh Government and delivery agents to shape decisions on network investment and design. This is a strategic role requiring strong knowledge of energy networks and how they are planned, designed, delivered and regulated. If you want to influence major infrastructure decisions, work on high-impact projects, and help Wales transition to a low-carbon future, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.

Responsibilities

• Drive delivery of network plans that enable new demand and renewable generation in Wales, building strong relationships with senior leaders in network companies to keep plans aligned with Welsh Government priorities.
• Represent Wales in UK-wide forums, working with the National Energy System Operator to embed Welsh requirements and secure innovation funding.
• Lead the Welsh response to the Independent Advisory Group on Future Electricity Grid, delivering evidence to help people understand and get involved in new network proposals.
• Champion community engagement in low-carbon network delivery and integrate network plans with statutory planning.
• Collaborate with partners across Wales and the UK to develop new funding models for integrated energy systems that connect communities with renewables and retain benefits locally.
• Establish robust governance for projects, ensuring they are well-supported and successfully delivered.
• Provide trusted advice to Ministers and senior officials, lead external engagement, and share learning to build expertise across the Division.
• Line manage one person, promoting high performance, organisational values, and team motivation.
• Contribute to energy resilience planning and support the effective leadership of the energy delivery team.

Development opportunities

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape delivery in a dynamic area aligned with key Programme for Government priorities and Net Zero Wales commitments. You’ll help ensure Wales maximises the benefits of moving to a clean energy system — work that has the potential to make a real difference for communities across the country. You’ll collaborate extensively across Welsh Government and with external partners, UK delivery bodies, and other administrations. The post also provides exposure to strategy development and policy thinking in emerging areas. We are committed to supporting your growth. The Division will help you build on your strengths, broaden your capabilities, and progress your career. If you’re motivated by innovation, impact, and collaboration, this is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to Wales’s sustainable future.

Other vacancy related information

You will be home based and will be expected to travel to a Welsh Government office, most likely Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberystwyth or Llandudno Junction, to attend meetings weekly or fortnightly. Locations will balance minimising travel with effective delivery and quality of life. You will also travel, for example to London or Warwick, as needed to represent Welsh Government.

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate, who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 1 and Technical 1. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. CVs will not be scored but will be used by the panel to gain a fuller understanding of your experience and employment history.

At interview, candidates will be expected to give a five-minute presentation demonstrating their technical expertise in energy network planning. More information will be provided at this stage.

Eligibility and recruitment

There are extensive nationality requirements and civil service eligibility checks. This job is broadly open to several categories of applicants. All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service and eligible for benefits such as the Civil Service Pension Scheme, annual leave, training and development opportunities, Cycle2Work, Smart Working, and Green Car Scheme (subject to availability). If you are an active Civil Service Pension member, you can continue your membership.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with civil service recruitment principles, please email. For concerns with the response, you may contact the Civil Service Commission at. For more information on Diversity and inclusion, apply processes and success profiles, see the candidate guidance on the Welsh Government site.