Title:  Head of Energy Security Modelling - 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 Resilience & Emergency Management (REM) directorate strengthens whole-energy-system resilience by being a catalyst for change – turning insight into coordinated, prioritised action that reduces risk and builds capability across the system. REM delivers this through analysis, assessments, reviews, emergency exercises, and plans that drive tangible improvements with our partners.

This role is to lead REM’s Energy Security Modelling area, which develops and delivers robust modelling to provide advice and guidance to the authorities (DESNZ & Ofgem) on resource adequacy for electricity, gas and future energy vectors, including hydrogen.  We identify and assess risks of there being insufficient available energy to meet demand, and to recommend and influence the implementation of measures that mitigate potential risks to energy security of supply. 

We have well-established and well-respected modelling capabilities in energy security of supply.  We work with external experts to ensure our work is robust and set the standard for REM’s technical capabilities and analytical rigour, providing best practise and guidance to other teams in REM and across NESO.  

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick, Glasgow, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home, as well as flexible working arrangements.

About us

National Energy System Operator (NESO) has a key role to play in tackling climate change by transitioning GB’s electricity system to net zero. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity system in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon power operation by 2030 when there is sufficient renewable generation. We are also providing advice to the Government on achieving a decarbonised power system by 2030.

So, join the energy transformation and help shape the future.

Your energy, our future, together.

About the National Energy System Operator (NESO) (External)

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.  

NESO, 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.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead assessment and advice on whole-system adequacy, fuel dependencies, and interconnections to understand security of supply vulnerabilities under varying conditions scenarios and time horizons.
• Continuous improvement of NESO’s security of supply modelling to reflect the changing energy landscape, latest research, and best practice. Partner with relevant technical authorities, academia, and international communities to ensure NESO's modelling remains current and fit for purpose, now and in the future.
• Oversee risk identification and analysis focused on threats to supply continuity, including infrastructure reliability, fuel logistics, market dynamics, and international dependencies.
• Translate analytical insights into clear, evidence-based recommendations of mitigation and improvement (incl. capacity market recommendations).
• Coordinate across NESO to ensure a collective, coherent view of and approach to improving energy system resilience and the delivery of our obligations
• Use NESO’s role as a trusted technical authority to influence system operations and planning, energy policy, market design, and long-term strategy.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government departments (e.g., DESNZ), Ofgem, and industry participants to align approaches to supply adequacy and resilience, and drive adoption of recommendations.

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:

Essential:

• Excellent communicator, able to translate complex technical insights clearly to a wide range of specialist and non-specialist audiences, including at senior levels of government, media, academia and the energy industry.
• Deep understanding of UK and European energy system design markets, including electricity, gas, and emerging vectors, with a strong grasp of adequacy principles, capacity mechanisms, and fuel supply chains
• Proven experience in leading security of supply of supply analysis, resource adequacy modelling, or risk-based scenario modelling.
• Ability to link technical and market analysis to strategic resilience outcomes, recognising the potential trade-offs and implications on the energy trilemma.
• Experienced in developing meaningful relationships at executive, senior, and working level to influence and drive change on complex issues 
• Familiarity with modelling tools, data analytics, and forecasting techniques, with an awareness of emerging and novel analytical methods 
• Has or is willing and able to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV)

Desirable: 

• Experience contributing to or leading national adequacy assessments or system stress-testing exercises 
• Understanding of international energy security frameworks and global market dynamics 

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £80,000 - £100,000pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a benefits allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance, private medical insurance, 28 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 19th March 2026 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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