Procurement Policy & Governance Lead - NESO in Wokingham

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.

2026 continues to be an exciting year for NESO, particularly within our Procurement Centre of Excellence team, as we continue to strengthen our procurement framework, governance and ways of working. As Procurement Policy and Governance Lead, you will play a key role in shaping, embedding and continuously improving procurement policies, procedures and best practice across the organisation, helping to ensure our approach is compliant, consistent and fit for a changing environment.

We are looking for someone with strong experience in procurement, governance and compliance, ideally gained within a regulated public sector or utilities environment. You will bring a strong understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and wider regulatory requirements, alongside the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders to drive high standards, support good decision-making and promote continuous improvement across procurement at NESO.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to part time, as well as flexible working arrangements.

• Developing and maintaining procurement policies, procedures, and guidelines, ensuring compliance with utilities/public sector regulations and industry best practices.
• Leading development and implementation of the governance frameworks and central procurement templates, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in procurement activities.
• Monitoring and evaluating procurement processes, workflows and system design and compliance, identifying opportunities for improvement and recommending best practice to enhance efficiency and cost savings.
• Partnering with the Systems team, to continuously improve the Ivalua platform, ensuring it remains an intuitive, self-service solution that complies with government regulations and NESO policies.
• Supporting the development and implementation of AI-enabled capabilities within the Ivalua e-tool, to improve user experience, data quality, compliance controls, and process efficiency.
• Serving as a subject matter expert on regulated procurement policy and governance, providing strategic advice, guidance and support to internal stakeholders to enable informed decision-making and consistent application of procurement processes across the organisation.
• Collaborating with legal, finance, and compliance teams, ensuring procurement practices and regulatory requirements are met.
• Accountable for the regular co-ordination of the Procurement Assurance Forum, ensuring cases are on the agenda, pre-read circulated along with the capture of minutes and distribution and all documents are stored to the NESO standards.
• Developing and delivering training programs, promoting understanding of procurement policies and governance across the organization, with a key focus on PA23 and utilities regulation awareness (including process and notices).
• Conducting regular audits and assessments, ensuring compliance with procurement standards, regulations, and preparing reports for senior management.
• Analysing market trends and industry developments, ensuring the organization's procurements remain competitive and aligned with best practices.
• Owning the development, authorship and distribution of the monthly Procurement team newsletter, helping to drive engagement, share key updates and reinforce consistent procurement practices across the organisation.

• Significant experience in procurement, with a strong background in procurement policy, governance, compliance, or assurance.
• Strong understanding of regulated procurement environments, ideally within the public sector or utilities, with knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and wider governance requirements.
• Transforming Public Procurement, Government training is an essential requirement for this role.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into clear, practical policies, processes, guidance, and templates.
• Confident in building relationships and working collaboratively with stakeholders across procurement, legal, finance, compliance, and systems teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice, deliver training, and influence good procurement practice across the organisation.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Proactive, solutions-focused, and committed to continuous improvement, with experience of strengthening governance, improving processes, and enhancing user experience.
• Experience of supporting e-procurement systems or digital process improvement would be advantageous.

A competitive salary of £50,000 - £60,000 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.