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.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is looking for a Head of Commercial to lead the organisation's procurement function and ensure NESO secures goods and services that deliver value for money, support strategic priorities and meet legal, regulatory and governance requirements.

The role provides enterprise leadership for procurement strategy, sourcing, commercial governance and supplier engagement. Working across NESO, the post-holder will position procurement as a trusted strategic partner, enabling timely delivery while promoting innovation, sustainability, social value and responsible stewardship of public funds.

As a member of the Senior Manager community, the Head of Commercial will lead and develop a high-performing and inclusive team, provide clear assurance over procurement risk and performance, and ensure procurement supports NESO's mission to deliver a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.

This role can be based in Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow, 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.

Key Accountabilities

Developing and delivering NESO's commercial and procurement strategy, aligned to organisational priorities, the business plan and long-term capability requirements.
Providing visible enterprise leadership for procurement, positioning the function as a strategic enabler and promoting early engagement across NESO.
Ensuring procurement activity is fair, transparent, proportionate and compliant with applicable legislation, NESO governance, delegated authorities and internal controls.
Providing procurement assurance to senior leaders and governance forums, with clear reporting on performance, compliance, commercial risk and forward activity, including risk mitigation plans.
Overseeing sourcing and category activity across NESO's third-party spend, ensuring appropriate routes to market and demonstrable whole-life value for money.
Leading strategic supplier relationship management, including performance, resilience, innovation, dependency and risk management for critical suppliers.
Driving sustainability, social value, market diversity and responsible procurement outcomes, alongside effective competition and commercial delivery.
Building strong partnerships with directors, senior managers, programme leaders, Finance, Legal and business teams, providing authoritative procurement and commercial advice.
Leading, developing and inspiring a high-performing procurement team, strengthening professional capability, succession, inclusion and colleague engagement.
Maintaining knowledge of legislative and market developments, ensuring NESO remains best-placed to meet them.
Using data, technology, automation and continuous improvement to simplify procurement processes, strengthen controls and improve customer experience.
Representing NESO with suppliers, government, regulators, professional bodies and industry networks where appropriate.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

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 significant senior-level procurement and commercial leadership experience in a complex, regulated or public-interest environment.
Relevant professional procurement qualification and experience, such as MCIPS, or equivalent demonstrable professional expertise.
Brings a strong understanding and knowledge of public procurement legislation, commercial governance, sourcing and contract and supplier management.
Significant experience delivering procurement and commercial support to digital and security strategy initiatives
Has a proven record of delivering value for money, commercial improvement and proportionate risk management across complex portfolios, together with appropriate financial and analytical skills to manage costs, quality, services and terms
Can influence credibly at Executive and senior leadership level, translating technical procurement matters into clear choices and recommendations.
Has demonstrable experience of leading successful organisational change and building high-performing, customer-focused professional teams.
Demonstrates sound judgement, integrity, resilience and personal accountability, with the ability to make balanced decisions in ambiguity.
Communicates clearly and builds trusted relationships across organisational boundaries and with external stakeholders.
Is committed to inclusive leadership, professional development and NESO's values and purpose.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £105,000 - £115,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs 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%.

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

About Us

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 thing and public value.

The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together

More Information

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

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. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. 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.

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britains'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 actin 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 thing and public value.

The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together

Head of Commercial

Key Accountabilities

About Us

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