Strategic Lead - Scotland

In April 2025 the National Energy System Operator (NESO) took on the exciting new role of being the UK’s Regional Energy Strategic Planner. We are responsible for developing 11 Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) across nine English regions, plus Scotland and Wales. https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Our Scotland team will work with other NESO teams and with organisations across Scotland, including the Scottish Government, local government and gas and electricity networks, in developing the RESP.

The purpose of the Scotland Strategic Lead is to lead aspects of developing the Scotland RESP, as detailed in the Key Accountabilities below.

• To represent NESO’s national energy planning function at strategic level and deputise for the Scotland RESP manager
• To engage with specific key national stakeholders within the Scottish Government, local government, gas and electricity networks, other local actors and whole energy system stakeholders to understand their views and requirements to ensure that RESP delivers value
• To design, support and run workshops and engagement activity with the Scotland RESP Strategic Board, working groups and other stakeholders to progress the RESP
• To implement relevant parts of the RESP methodology in Scotland and contribute to continuous development and consultation.
• To be the subject matter expert in understanding specific aspects of Scotland’s energy system and the interfaces with both internal NESO and external stakeholders
• To define and lead on RESP work packages; working in a matrix style structure to ensure work your leading upon is coordinated with other national/regional and hub RESP teams
• To produce and deliver clear, concise, short reports and slide packs in progressing the RESP. Ensure that the key messages are relevant, clear, and pitched appropriately for the audience.
• To understand, engage and gain required and beneficial inputs from stakeholders in developing the RESP to the prescribed methodology; being able to clearly communicate and propose changes where needed to key assumptions
• To create new ways to analyse and present problems and potential solutions, sometimes building on the work and experience of others to quickly develop sufficient understanding of unfamiliar topics in developing the RESP

This role will be based from our Glasgow office. Some travel will be expected (e.g., to NESO Warwick Office for team workshops or within Scotland to meet with key stakeholders). We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements. 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.

Key skills and experience we are looking for are:

• Experience with in the energy sector, including technical energy knowledge
• Experience of communicating with, and influencing, internal and external stakeholders at a range of levels
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Knowledge of energy project development life cycles and the ‘whole energy’ system – with advanced experience in at least one of the energy vectors (gas and/or electricity networks, heat decarbonisation, hydrogen, transport decarbonisation, etc)
• Experience of working with or within devolved government, local authorities and/or energy distribution companies, ideally in Scotland
• Ability to translate complex and technical information into easily understandable messaging for non-technical audiences, in both reports and presentations
• Knowledge and experience of strategic critical thinking with ability to consider strategic frameworks and concepts,…