Network Planning Lead - Transmission Acceleration in Wokingham

This is a secondment/fixed term contract until 31/12/2026. 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.

To meet the Clean Power 2030 plan, network build must proceed at more than four times the rate of the last decade, delivering twice as much in half the time. The current process lacks the margin of resilience to meet these demands. Significant change is required across industry and this programme aims to lead the delivery of the required changes to de-risk the delivery of CP30.

System access will play a critical role in the deliverability of the CP30 plan and as a result the System Access Reform (SAR) programme is being designed in collaboration with Transmission Owners (TOs), with the aim to formalise our commitment to Transmission Acceleration actions and perform an End to End Transformation Project (E2E) process review to proactively minimise delivery risk for CP30. All of this will be delivered within the next 6-18 months.

System Access Reform is looking to recruit a Network Planning and Analysis Lead to manage some of the outputs of the Transmission Acceleration report and supporting on the E2E project. This role will be ideal for someone from an operational or technical background who already has or who is looking to gain valuable project experience in a fast paced and highly visible programme of work. This role can be based in Wokingham or Warwick, 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 working arrangements.

This role is focussed on the delivery of the actions and recommendations of the Transmission Acceleration Project (TAP) report, published earlier in 2025 and supporting the End To End Transformation Project. The TAP report highlighted four planning areas to be developed:

• OP1 – Winter planning and Emergency Return to Service times.
• OP2 – The SQSS
• OP3 – Long term project planning and costing
• OP4 – Outage Planning Processes

The responsibilities of this role will be associated with TAP OP2, OP3, OP4 and supporting the E2E project. There may also be other areas of the System Access Reform programme to support on. Key deliverables will involve:

• Supporting the wider SAR team with subject matter expertise for the progression of an E2E process review, optioneering solutions and working through detailed designs.
• Testing and modifying proposed changes to the SQSS that relate to outage placement. Designing transparent decision-making criteria that ensure transparency and accountability.
• Development of NESO processes to facilitate new flexible rules in the SQSS while ensuring that security of supply remains the primary consideration.
• Establishing new ways of coordinating information exchange between Day Ahead Strategy teams and National Planning teams where it relates to margin analysis.
• Implementation of constraint costing methodologies for long term project design.
• Presenting key information to key stakeholders such as the SAR management team, TOs, Ofgem and DESNZ.
• Maintaining project plans, including timelines and milestones ensuring a clear roadmap for the project's progression.

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 someone who:

• A degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
• Passionate about the drive to net zero and understands the significance of system access reform.
• Experience in the power supply industry and ideally in a network planning role in NESO or a transmission or distribution owning organisation.
• A strong communicator with excellent writing and verbal skills and comfortable presenting information.
• The ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• A firm grasp of the challenges being faced by the network planning functions of System Operations.
• Experience of outage planning tools such as OLTA and eNAMS would be beneficial.

A competitive salary of £61,000 - £75,000 dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package:

• 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.

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.

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.