Principal Energy Officer – Supply

We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded Principal Energy Officer – Supply to lead the operational and commercial management of energy and water supplies across Buckinghamshire Council's diverse property portfolio and traded energy services.

This is a key role within the Energy Management Team, responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of utility contracts, accurate billing and financial control, robust supplier performance management, and the integrity of energy and water data. You'll provide expert commercial and market insight, helping the Council manage risk, control costs, and make informed decisions in a constantly evolving energy market.

Working at the heart of the Council's utility management activities, you'll oversee a significant utility expenditure portfolio, support partner organisations and schools, and play a leading role in ensuring the Council receives best value from its energy and water arrangements.

Buckinghamshire Council is the unitary local authority for Buckinghamshire in Southeast England. Established in April 2020, it brought together the former county council and four district councils into a single organisation, providing and commissioning a wide range of public services for residents, communities, and businesses across the county.

You’ll be part of the Energy Management Team within Estates Management, a key function within the Corporate Property & Assets service and Communities Directorate. The team is responsible for managing energy consumption, utility procurement, and energy performance across the Council’s property portfolio and partner organisations. By working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, the team helps ensure that public buildings are operated efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively, supporting the delivery of essential services and the long-term needs of the communities we serve.

As Principal Energy Officer – Supply
, you will take the lead on the Council's energy and water supply portfolio, ensuring contracts, suppliers, billing arrangements, and financial processes are managed effectively and efficiently.

You will act as the Council's subject matter expert on utility supply matters, providing commercial advice and market intelligence to support strategic decision-making. The role combines contract management, financial oversight, supplier engagement, data management, and stakeholder support, offering significant variety and responsibility.

You will also support the delivery of traded utility services to schools and other partners, ensuring high standards of customer service, compliance, and value for money.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing energy and water supply contracts and supplier relationships, ensuring strong performance, compliance, and value for money.
• Leading the validation, reconciliation, and resolution of energy and water billing issues across the Council's estate.
• Developing and maintaining utility budgets and forecasts, monitoring expenditure and identifying emerging risks and opportunities.
• Managing the Council's utility metering portfolio and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of metering, billing, and consumption data.
• Providing specialist commercial advice on energy markets, regulatory developments, tariffs, industry charging mechanisms, and contractual arrangements.
• Overseeing Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs) and other external service providers supporting procurement and contract delivery.
• Managing utility debt and supporting effective recovery of outstanding costs through investigation and resolution of complex issues.
• Supporting procurement activities, including preparation of specifications, tender evaluations, contract awards, mobilisation, and ongoing performance…