Senior Risk and Assurance Lead

About the Role

The 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 UK Government has committed to achieving a clean, secure and affordable power system by 2035; a commitment that is supported by the Welsh and Scottish governments. Combined with the UK’s legally binding target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a significant increase in the amount of low-carbon electricity generation, as well as new technologies like hydrogen will be required, while building the associated infrastructure that will enable the system to function.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has been commissioned to create a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for the energy system, land and sea, across Great Britain (GB). As Senior Risk and Assurance Lead, your role will be different every day. You will work to ensure consistent high-quality outputs and the rigorous following of PMO process. You will be working directly to support the teams delivering the SSEP, acting as the first-port-of-call for the PMO needs of your assigned technical team. You will proactively support your team with the updating of key resources such as the Schedule, RAIDD log, and reporting requirements, and feed information back into the central PMO team. You will be a strong communicator and leader with the ability to influence, manage, motivate, coach and develop individuals, with a passion to build a supporting community and network beyond the delivery activities.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow, 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.

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible for providing direct support to assigned workstreams for administration, reporting, process alignment, and other ad hoc PMO tasks as required.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating your assigned workstreams' plans and for feeding back progress updates into the central programme plan.
• Deliver coherent and consistent reporting of progress from across the programme, maintaining standards and processes.
• Responsible for maintaining the programme SharePoint updates, information management and security on the programme.
• Support to routine meetings as required, including creation of slidepacks, delivery of content, recording minutes, and capturing decisions, actions, updating registers etc.
• Monitoring progress towards milestones.
• Development and maintenance of assurance frameworks.
• Delivering first line assurance activities such as programme health checks and deep dives, and coordinating second- and third-line assurance events.
• Responsible for maintaining and reporting the programme Risk, Assumption, Issue, Decision and Dependency (RAIDD) logs.
• Chairing monthly Programme Risk Reviews.
• Conducting SSEP Risk Identification exercises.
• Act as the SSEP Programme authority on assurance and RAIDD.
• Responsible for coordinating the programme's Lessons Learned process, working with programme leadership to document and embed lessons from the programme.
• Oversee the programme's data security and information management, requiring a strong attention to detail and maintenance of policy.

About You

• Passionate about working with people and engaging with a variety of diverse individuals to get the most out of everyone.
• Experienced in the administration of common PMO functions including reporting, support to meetings, and maintenance / updates to Risk, Assumption, Issue, Dependency, Decision (RAIDD) logs.
• Cost management and / or procurement experience.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills.
• Experience of using Microsoft Project.
• Proficient in the use of common MS Office products including Excel, Powerpoint.

What You’ll Get

• A competitive salary of £57,000 - £62,000 dependent on experience and capability.
• You will receive a bonus based on company performance.
• 26 days annual leave as standard.
• A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.
• Flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits.

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030. In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thinking and public value. The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Your energy. Our future. Together.

More Information

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment. 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. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you.