Senior Strategy Manager

Cardiff, Glasgow, London

Join Ofgem as a Senior Strategy Manager and play a key role in the decarbonisation of the GB economy! 

We are looking for a candidate who can not only independently lead specific work programmes, but also work collaboratively with other teams in Ofgem to share developments, identify interactions with related projects and ensure we are coordinated within Ofgem and with developments in Government.   

The Senior Strategy Manager will be responsible for understanding the policy landscape and strategic context relevant to energy networks and applying this to shape Network’s programme of work. 

This is a diverse, dynamic, and exciting area of work. As such, we are looking for an independent thinking, self-motivated and creative person with the ability to identify links and dependencies between project areas, manage a varied and fast-paced portfolio and work collaboratively with other Ofgem teams.  

To join us, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate ability to create clear structure and defined deliverables to address ambiguous and complex problems. You’ll have experience of building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders; influencing outcomes and managing inputs across complex and diverse projects and policy areas. You’ll also be a strong communicator (both written and verbally) and be able to meaningfully engage with, and provide critical assessment of, new and unfamiliar issues. Knowledge of regulation, policy development or the energy sector is desirable, but not essential.  

We are serious about offering you professional development, training and support. You can also expect an excellent benefits package, a great working environment with scope for hybrid working, and a shared sense of purpose. 

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, and especially welcome individuals from underrepresented groups. While this is a full-time role, flexible working patterns are welcome. 

The energy sector is going through an unprecedented period of change and transformation. In the near-term, with high and volatile gas prices, Ofgem must ensure that energy consumers are protected, and our energy system is reliable and resilient. Simultaneously, Ofgem must support the transformation to a net zero and data-enabled future. 

Ofgem’s Strategy and Economics Research and Net Zero (SERN) Directorate sits at the heart of Ofgem’s change and transformation, delivering decarbonisation while protecting the interests of energy consumers, and transforming Ofgem into an even more strategic, dynamic and impactful organisation. The Strategy and Decarbonisation team delivers advice that will change the UK’s decarbonisation trajectory. We work collaboratively with Ofgem’s leadership and regulatory and functional teams, with government departments and a wide range of external stakeholders, to ensure Ofgem’s work is informed by the best ideas and evidence, and to maximise the impact of that work. 

We are seeking for a high-calibre colleague to join the Directorate as Senior Strategy Manager, with responsibility for developing and running priority strategic projects, informing Ofgem’s direction on decarbonisation issues with insightful analysis, and contributing to the briefing of senior colleagues on net zero matters.  

Attitude and aptitude are just as important to us as a relevant technical background. Are you creative, persuasive, proactive and focused? Would you like to play a crucial part in shaping and delivering the UK’s journey to net zero? 

The successful candidate will have proven expertise in designing and shaping strategic projects or workstreams, including developing compelling, evidence-based strategies and working collaboratively and at pace to turn strategy into action. They will be proactive, skilled critical thinkers and strong communicators. All team members are involved in a broad range of topics with an understanding of the need to bring a strategic and analytical approach to the work at hand to distil complex problems into impactful projects. 

We operate a Flexible Resourcing model. Longer term you will have the opportunity to work flexibly across Ofgem supporting on a range of projects or may have a longer deployment within a team where you have in-demand specialist skills, knowledge, and expertise. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Structure, run and deliver strategy projects or key workstreams as part of more complex projects that support delivering Ofgem’s Strategic Change Programmes. 
• Proactively and constructively challenge thinking within the Directorate and beyond, encouraging the organisation (and industry) to be more efficient, more effective and more ambitious. 
• Engage with colleagues in S&D and policy teams, as well as external stakeholders, to develop a shared understanding of the problem and solutions. 
• Conduct high-quality, well-structured analysis and insights, as required, to support strategy projects and story-telling in Board slide pack presentations.  
• Contribute to both internal and external documents. 
• Develop and actively manage project plans. 
• To closely follow developments in the energy sector relevant to the specific projects and net zero transition.  

Key Outputs and Deliverables 

• Providing input into strategic publications to communicate Ofgem’s strategy externally (either as the owner on a specific document or by providing input).  
• Transparent and clear definition of the structure and approach for specific strategy projects, including barriers to the energy transition and understanding of how Ofgem can address these barriers.  
• Informative, concise papers for discussion with key senior stakeholders on key energy policy issues.  
• Briefing notes and emails that raise key questions, analyse opportunities, identify threats and offer weighted solutions. 

Key Stakeholder Relationships 

Internal  

• This position will require working collaboratively with teams across Ofgem, ensuring the work of individual policy teams aligns with Ofgem’s overarching strategy for the coming years. 

External 

• Engagement with external stakeholders will be required to gather evidence and communicate Ofgem’s strategy. Stakeholders are broad, but will include government departments (e.g. DESNZ), the Climate Change Committee, energy companies and energy sector experts (e.g. academics and think tanks). 

Essential Criteria

• Strategic thinking: A track record of translating strategy into delivery, ability to understand the work of the team and the Directorate in a wider, strategic context, and to identify and take up opportunities to develop this knowledge over time. (Lead) 

• Analysis and evidence: excellent ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative information, identify issues, synthesise diverse sources and intelligence and develop options and recommendations on a wide range of issues. (Lead) 

• Stakeholder engagement: a track record of building collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, engaging influencing skills to secure desired outcomes, 

• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple, concurrent priorities and projects.  

• Communications: Excellent ability to communicate effectively to a range of internal and external audiences, both in writing and in presentations, and to convey complex issues clearly and concisely.

Desirable Criteria

• Teamwork: A positive ‘can-do’ and flexible attitude. An ability to work effectively as part of a team, responding flexibly and supportively to challenges as they arise, and taking proactive steps to promote a sustainable, high-performing team environment.  

• Energy Expertise: Knowledge of the energy sector and an understanding of the energy transformation needed to get to net zero. 

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.

Alongside your salary of £43,650, OFGEM contributes
£11,785 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; Hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but is in review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

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Job contact :

• Name : Cheryl Stobo
• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk