Title:  Innovation & Continuous Improvement Lead - NESO

About The Role

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.

The UK has committed to reaching net zero by 2050, and the energy industry is transforming to meet that goal. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has been given a new and exciting responsibility: acting as the Regional Energy Strategic Planner (RESP) for Great Britain. RESP will coordinate the development of the distribution energy system, enabling confident, long-term investment that supports a whole-system, place-based approach to decarbonisation.

As the Innovation and Continuous Improvement Lead, you will be responsible for driving strategic innovation and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the RESP Hub. You will oversee the development and delivery of RESP’s innovation pipeline, improvement initiatives, and ensure alignment with NESO’s wider transformation goals.

This role can be based from Warwick or Wokingham, 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. 

About Us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

Your energy, our future, together.

About The National Energy System Operator

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.  

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come

Key Accountabilities

• Innovation Leadership:

Lead RESP’s inputs in to NESO’s innovation strategy and ensure alignment with NESO’s strategic priorities. Lead the development of RESP’s innovation pipeline and coordinate across directorates and external partners.

• Project Oversight & Delivery:

Oversee RESP-led and collaborative innovation projects, supporting robust governance, benefit tracking, and delivery against agreed milestones.

• Continuous Improvement Framework:

Design and implement a CI framework that supports RESP’s evolution, including process optimisation, feedback loops, and performance metrics.

• Stakeholder Engagement:

Build strong relationships with NESO’s innovation teams, regional stakeholders, and external collaborators to foster a culture of shared learning and innovation.

• Governance & Reporting:

Oversee RESP’s contribution to innovation governance, including selection boards, impact assessments, and reporting to Ofgem and NESO leadership.

• Capability Development

Champion innovation and CI across RESP, supporting colleagues to engage with new ideas, tools, and ways of working.

About You

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 has: 

• Extensive experience in innovation management, strategic delivery, or continuous improvement roles
• Experience of collaboratively generating innovation opportunities
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills (e.g. ideations, workshop design and facilitation)
• Superb understanding of energy systems, planning processes, and regulated environments
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects and programmes
• Familiarity with innovation funding mechanisms (e.g., SIF, NIA) and tracking tools (e.g., SharePoint, Decision Focus)
• Experience in embedding lean Continuous Improvement practices and leading organisational change

About What You'll Get

A competitive salary between £48,000 - £58,000 per annum, dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 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%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

More Information

This role closes on 21st October 2025 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.

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, and offer 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.

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