Portfolio PMO Manager

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 Strategic Energy Planning (SEP) Portfolio Office are responsible for the development of a whole-energy system plan that considers community and environmental interests, as well as safeguarding system resilience and minimising system cost.

As SEP PMO Manager you will lead a dedicated PMO team to create and drive consistent PMO processes across the SEP Portfolio to ensure high quality outputs. You will represent the Programme Management Office for the SEP portfolio across NESO. You will be the first port of contact for the Head of SEP Portfolio in understanding how the portfolio is functioning, and where intervention is required.

This role is to be based from Warwick or Wokingham and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time, as well as flexible working arrangements.

Key Accountabilities

• Leadership, setting direction for the SEP Portfolio and how PMO operates across the SEP programmes.
• Responsible for planning and mobilisation of major programme workstreams across SEP, ensuring interdependencies are understood and managed.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Portfolio Office team, deputising for the Head of Portfolio when required.
• Be the key point of contact for Programme PMOs and the NESO Enterprise Portfolio Office.
• Responsible for designing and implementing the SEP Portfolio governance framework, which includes setting standards and processes across the portfolio to ensure effective decision-making, and oversight.
• Responsible for SEP Portfolio governance meetings, PMO forums, and team events which includes attendance by the COO and CEO.
• Responsible for portfolio reporting, management information, and insights to support leadership decision-making within SEP and wider across NESO which is also includes external reporting to DESNZ and Ofgem.
• Responsible for the SEP Portfolio integrated plan through the creation of one plan, monitoring of the individual programme plans, schedules, dependencies and critical milestones.
• Responsible for portfolio risk management, ensuring risks, controls, and mitigation actions are effectively managed and reported.
• Act as a critical friend to each programme to support resolving or escalating key risks and issues and ensure alignment between Programmes and Portfolio-level risks.
• Drive consistent reporting, processes, templates, and tools across all SEP Programmes.
• Lead lessons learned activities and continuous improvement initiatives within the Portfolio and sharing across NESO.
• Responsible for stage-gate governance processes and support programme approvals.
• Responsible for maintaining a robust and accessible portfolio document repository.
• Responsible in ensuring the SEP Portfolio is incompliance with NESO programme management standards, tools, and frameworks.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, to support successful portfolio delivery.
• Assure that programme outputs meet required quality, governance, and delivery standards.
• Responsible for portfolio communications working with the dedicated Communications professional embedded in the portfolio
• undefined.

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 cannot do it alone. That is why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we are looking for someone who is:

· Strategic thinker with strong analytical and organisational skills.

· Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.

· Able to navigate ambiguity while maintaining clarity of direction and standards.

· Collaborative, confident, and trusted by senior stakeholders.

· Passionate about developing people, improving systems, and raising organisational maturity.

• Ability to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of programme and project delivery frameworks.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and report-writing skills.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, manage, motivate, coach and develop others
• Independent, objective, and confident in professional judgement.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Comfortable working in complex, fast-paced environments.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £60,000 - £75,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 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

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.

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