Consumer Value and Regulatory Support Partner in Warwick

About The Role

This is a permanent role based in the UK. The UK has set out its ambition to be net zero by 2050 and the energy industry is responding - together we are building a cleaner, greener Britain. Due to an internal move, National Grid is looking to recruit one or two new management grade roles into its Regulation team. Joining a function of around 20 people, the Consumer Value and Regulatory Support Partner will be the voice of the consumer within one or more of our project development and delivery teams, each responsible for delivering a major capital project valued between £100m and many £Bn's.

The successful delivery of the portfolio of transmission network infrastructure projects in the next few years is critical to achieving National Grid's transition to a future resilient and secure energy system towards Net Zero. The team this role works within will be key to this. Acting as a critical friend, the Consumer Value and Regulatory Support Partner will help our project teams strike the right balance between different priorities (especially cost and time to deliver), to maximise the value delivered for our end customers and ensure that the business is adequately funded to continue investing in the network and services.

The focus of the position is likely to be Offshore transmission projects, but the Partner role could also support Onshore transmission projects. As part of our hybrid and flexible working approach, this permanent role offers a mix of office working and home working. Our current largest office site is in Warwick, but we welcome applications from those close to our project offices across the country. There may be a need for the post holder to work from our Joint Venture partner transmission operators (TOs), SSE and Scottish Power, offices in Scotland and project collaboration spaces from time to time including London and Leeds. The reporting managers are currently based in Yorkshire and Devon. 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.

About You

What we do isn’t just important - it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has:

• Experience that demonstrates potential to work with Ofgem and our project teams and partner TOs to build and maintain positive relationships, demonstrate solid cases for project progress within the ASTI framework and secure timely agreement. This could be through experience in UK regulation, developing economic and competition policy, investment planning, senior stakeholder management or similar.
• A good understanding of commercial value and an ability to rapidly understand commercial value drivers in a new context.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative personality to work within a matrixed organisation.
• Strong experience of influencing senior stakeholders and virtual teams (including teams you don’t lead) to ensure they deliver business-critical outcomes.
• Highly motivated and organised with a high level of attention to detail, financial acumen, and good numeracy skills.
• Results orientated, consistently managing timely delivery in a challenging environment whilst dealing with rapid change and ambiguity.
• Team working to promote team effectiveness by listening to input from team members, encouraging others and putting forward ideas which bring effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• An understanding of the broad principles of project and risk management.

Though not essential, an ideal candidate for the Partner role would also have:

• A knowledge and awareness of some of the value drivers for Electricity Transmission reinforcements - e.g. large project planning and construction drivers, transmission network cost drivers, transmission network benefits (including wholesale market drivers).
• Experience of working within a UK regulatory environment.
• A driving licence would be beneficial but is not essential.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace for everyone. So if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What You’ll Do

You will be accountable for managing the project-specific external interfaces for Strategic Infrastructure, primarily with our regulator Ofgem, but also working to support relationships with other stakeholders, potentially including Joint Venture partner Transmission Operators (TOs), Government departments, the NESO and Distribution Network Operators. As part of this, you will support our major project delivery units to secure allowances to progress business-critical projects, ensuring successful funding submissions can be made to Ofgem.

You will ensure that we have a regulatory plan for the project to secure funding allowances and that the project understands its regulatory risks across the project lifecycle. You will act as the first line of assurance that the funding submissions we produce are of high quality, robust, well-evidenced and comply with regulatory expectations and guidance. As part of the wider electricity transmission Regulation function, you will advise Strategic Infrastructure project teams on their regulatory obligations and risks, building on expert technical advice from elsewhere in the team. You will support the wider team to advise on the relationships between key regulatory, commercial and supply chain issues. You will take the lead on regulatory issues and requirements for your projects, including proactively highlighting regulatory risks to projects and leading the engagement with Ofgem on project briefings and resolutions, to ensure better outcomes for Strategic Infrastructure and our stakeholders.

What You’ll Get

A competitive starting salary between £65,000 - £78,000 - dependent on capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 30% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12% (Total therefore would be 18%). You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

About Us

National Grid Strategic Infrastructure was set up in 2023 with special dispensation from Ofgem to accelerate 17 key projects across the UK to deliver infrastructure upgrades within timescales never seen before in the UK. This infrastructure will make Britain prepared for a 100% clean energy future. Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We ensure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions. Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via the Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home-grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future. Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.

More Information

This role closes on February 19th at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Interviews will be held around w/c March 2nd. We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, offering flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 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.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements.