Energy Regulatory Lawyer - NESO in Warwick

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 NESO Legal team provides comprehensive legal support to all areas of the NESO organisation and currently comprises 12 lawyers and 2 apprentice trainees. We are looking for an additional lawyer with regulatory law and commercial contracts experience, who has a track record of delivering high quality work and the ability to prioritise through excellent organisation, to join our well respected in-house legal team.

You will work across a variety of areas within the organisation including electricity connections, energy markets, engineering and customer solutions, system operations and data and AI. Your work will involve understanding NESO’s statutory duties, applying arrangements set out across licences, industry codes and contractual frameworks and preliminary disputes advice and support.

You will work closely with the other NESO Legal team members and stakeholders to help us support and guide NESO on the journey to delivering its challenging and important mandate. This is a full-time role based in Warwick and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

• Reviewing, drafting and advising on energy code governance, modifications and reform.
• Supporting the full range of balancing services used by NESO to manage electricity flows across the national electricity transmission system including advising on security documentation, drafting and negotiating contract variations and extensions and involvement in the design of new balancing markets’ products.
• Advising on connections offers and agreements, supporting NESO’s role in the end-to-end connections review process and contributing to the development of solutions to emerging generation and demand connections issues.
• Assisting NESO’s system operations’ business by advising on a variety of issues to support the delivery of a secure, sustainable and affordable energy system.
• Considering and advising on information sharing arrangements and supporting NESO’s Digital, Data and Technology team with day-to-day data sharing queries.
• Supporting NESO’s response to emerging legislation and regulatory reform, Ofgem and government consultations and advising on business implications.
• Managing external counsel to ensure timely, accurate and cost-effective advice.
• Delivering presentations and training to the NESO Legal and business teams on relevant legal, regulatory or other topics to drive continuous improvement.
• Supporting the development of more junior team members, including the apprentice trainees.
• Contributing to the development of workflows and processes needed to efficiently scale the legal function.
• Driving your own personal and professional development by exploring learning opportunities which benefit you, NESO Legal and the NESO business as a whole.

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for:

• A solicitor qualified in the UK (preferred) or other common law jurisdiction holding a valid SRA practising certificate.
• Experience working in the regulated sector (ideally energy or utilities) or similar regulatory experience gained within an in-house legal team, at a regulator or in private practice ideally with relevant secondment experience.
• Strong technical legal skills, with experience advising on statutory and licence obligations. Experience advising on energy industry codes and commercial arrangements would be ideal.
• Ability to balance commercial and legal imperatives when managing a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including articulate and numerate drafting, and ability to provide practical, user-friendly advice appropriately tailored to the audience in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to collaborate and work with others across multiple legal and business teams, with a proactive attitude and strong business relationship building skills.
• Resilience in a fast-paced environment and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and adapt to change.
• Strong ethical standards and interest in creating belonging with NESO by embracing diversity and building a high-performing and inclusive team.
• Someone who is passionate about energy and the net zero ambition and who has the willingness to develop commercial awareness of the environment in which NESO operates.

A competitive salary of £75,000 - £105,000 dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:

• Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
• Additional Birthday Day Off
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
• Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance

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.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

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 process where everyone has the opportunity to show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.