Non Executive Director

Join to apply for the Non Executive Director role at North Sea Transition Authority. 25 days per annum (8 annual Board meetings + ad‑hoc engagement). London and Scotland.

About The North Sea Transition Authority

The role of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) is to regulate and influence the oil and gas, offshore hydrogen, and carbon storage industries. The NSTA helps drive the North Sea energy transition, realising the significant potential of the UK Continental Shelf as a critical energy and carbon abatement resource. It holds industry to account on reducing emissions. The NSTA supports the UK’s drive to net zero by accelerating the energy transition – through the integration and growth of the carbon storage and hydrogen sectors – and by working with operators to reduce emissions from oil and gas production.

The organisation is at the start of an exciting new chapter focused on the vital energy transition, which integrates the North Sea’s carbon capture, hydrogen, wind, and oil and gas resources. The climate crisis demands that the transition happens at pace and, if successful, this chapter can be the best and cleanest yet. The NSTA remains at the forefront of the transition. It has recently awarded the UK’s first permits for carbon storage, kickstarting a multibillion‑pound industry poised to create tens of thousands of jobs and drive the UK towards net zero.

For many years, reaching this milestone was an ambition. By collaborating with industry, government, and other regulators, the NSTA has helped turn that ambition into reality. It is determined to propel many more carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects forward in the coming years. Oil and gas will continue to form part of the UK’s energy mix for decades during the transition, and domestic production can – and must – keep getting cleaner. The UK’s world‑class supply chain, with its record of solving some of the most complex engineering challenges on earth, will be central to delivering decarbonised production and the CCS, hydrogen, and floating wind projects needed across the country.

The NSTA works closely with, but has operational independence from, its sponsor department – the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). It also maintains strong relationships with the Scottish Government and a wide range of departments, agencies, and arms‑length bodies.

The NSTA Board is accountable for decisions relating to, and for approving work connected with, the UK’s exploration and production licensing regime, and for ensuring that the appropriate governance and controls are in place for the organisation to achieve its objectives. The NSTA is largely funded by an industry levy and is headquartered in Aberdeen, with an office in London.

Role specification

The Board of the NSTA plays a key role in ensuring that the NSTA achieves its purpose through effective oversight, approval of strategy, and provision of guidance and advice. The Board must promote the highest standards of corporate governance. Non‑Executive Directors must use their communication and interpersonal skills and intellectual rigour to bring constructive challenge and support to both Board colleagues and executives.

All members of the Board are expected to:

• Assist in ensuring that the statutory, risk management and corporate governance requirements which the NSTA has as a public body are fully met
• Provide insight, challenge, support and advice on strategic matters shaping both the NSTA and the industry at large, drawing on prior experience and knowledge
• Attend, be fully prepared for and contribute to the Board, designated Board Committees and extraordinary or ad‑hoc meetings as required
• Review, assess and support the performance of the NSTA’s executive team
• Proactively engage internally with NSTA colleagues to build two‑way understanding of day‑to‑day challenges and Board activity
• Where appropriate, engage with Ministers and senior industry stakeholders to provide challenge on key questions affecting the remit and work of the NSTA

Person specification

Board Members are required to have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to build effective relationships, including with senior representatives within government and industry
• A strong track record of professional experience
• The ability to demonstrate personal gravitas and strategic thinking
• Have a clear understanding of the role and function of public bodies
• A broad understanding of the wider energy industry context, energy transition and drive towards net zero
• Experience of operating at a senior level
• Ability to contribute effectively in a strategic manner
• Experience of delivering, leading and innovating
• A personal alignment with the NSTA’s Core Values, and a demonstrable courage and personal independence, with evidence of both ability and willingness to be robust
• A commitment to inclusion and diversity both internally as part of the NSTA’s commitment to our Core Values, but also promoting best practice within industry