Sector Security Risk Lead

About the Role

Reliable energy systems are fundamental to everyday life in Great Britain. They underpin homes, businesses, public services and critical national infrastructure, and are essential to economic stability, public safety and social wellbeing. As the energy system evolves through decarbonisation, increasing electrification and greater interdependence across sectors, ensuring that it remains secure, reliable and resilient is more important than ever. Recent events, such as the North Hyde substation fire and the Iberian Peninsula blackout, have reinforced the importance of understanding and strengthening resilience across the whole energy system – not only today but for the future.

The Whole Energy System Resilience (WESR) directorate strengthens whole‑energy‑system resilience by being a catalyst for change – turning insight into coordinated, prioritised action that reduces risk and builds capability across the system. WESR delivers this through analysis, assessments, reviews, emergency exercises and plans that drive tangible improvements with our partners.

This role is to identify, assess and make recommendations to mitigate security risks across the energy sector, working closely with the Sector Security team and the wider Energy System Risk and Resilience teams. The position can be based out of Warwick, Wokingham or Glasgow, with travel to the other two on occasion, and offers hybrid working from office and home with flexible arrangements.

Key Accountabilities

• Work collaboratively with a team of experts to identify, assess and recommend measures to mitigate security risks across the energy sector.
• Lead engagements with energy sector participants to drive progress on identifying and assessing risks, enabling the resilient, safe and secure operation of the energy system.
• Apply NESO’s risk management framework for the identification, assessment and monitoring of risks, working closely with the Risk Framework team.
• Lead the delivery of deep dive assessments on parts of the energy system to identify and assess security and cyber risks and make recommendations as appropriate.
• Support teams across the Resilience and Emergency Management Directorate on delivery outputs that improve whole energy system resilience.
• Work with government to understand policy changes that could affect the security and resilience of the whole energy system.
• Provide oversight of information, advice and recommendations to Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
• Work with stakeholders to understand systemic and cascade risks to the energy system, including supply chain dependencies.

About You

• Experience in the energy sector with knowledge of whole energy system interdependencies and interactions.
• Experience applying risk assessment and management in an energy or security environment.
• Extensive experience in one or more of the following areas: national security, electricity, gas and/or telecoms infrastructure and systems.
• Passion for the energy sector and the transition to Net Zero.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills and the ability to assemble complex ideas into clear explanations.
• Experience working with external stakeholders, including government, regulators and intelligence agencies.
• Willingness to undertake National Security Clearance (SC).

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience with significant demonstrable experience in sector security.
• Desirable: Additional professional security qualifications or certifications in appropriate areas.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive salary of £58,000 – £65,000, dependent on experience and capability.
• Bonus based on company performance.
• 26 days annual leave as standard.
• Competitive contributory pension scheme with matching contributions up to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Annual enrollment in NESO Savings Plan; 50% matching contribution when you save between £20 and £500 a month.
• Flexible benefits, including: flexible bank holidays, additional birthday day off, cycle to work scheme, retail and gym discounts, private medical insurance, critical illness insurance and personal accident insurance.

About Us

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is an independent, expert public corporation delivering a whole‑system view across electricity, gas and hydrogen. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, NESO makes impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security, and works to secure Great Britain’s energy future.

EEO Statement

We celebrate the difference people can bring to our organisation and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.