Connections Senior Product Manager

About the Role

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), our greatest asset is our people. Together, we are shaping a sustainable future where clean and affordable energy is accessible to everyone. Every day presents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, driving the progress of energy solutions in Great Britain, connecting communities, and contributing to a brighter tomorrow. As the Senior Product Manager, you will play a pivotal role within NESO, leading transformative initiatives across the connections landscape.

These essential products are integral to NESO and industry, empowering our teams to accept and assess applications, issue connections offers, and manage the connections pipeline – delivering on our net zero ambitions. In this strategic role within the Connections Function, you will guide the product delivery strategy, manage the backlog, and oversee the budget for the connections’ portal and connections 360, plus any future connections products as required.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will lead the Product Managers and collaborate with our Digital, Data, and Technology (DD&T) teams, ensuring all product changes are delivered with a customer‑centric approach. You will be directing various business Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and focused product teams to support our current and future initiatives. Your experience in leading direct reports and individuals within a matrix team structure will be crucial.

Leveraging your expertise and leadership skills, will be crucial to promote collaboration and achieve success in this role. This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home with an expectation to be in the office at least 1 day per week. If not based at Warwick then frequent (at least 1 day per week) travel to Warwick may be required.

• Full product lifecycle management for NESO Connections applications, focusing either on the application and queue formation products or offers and contract management aspects.
• Lead the delivery of change on time and within budget, meeting current and future business needs.
• Develop strategy and product roadmaps aligned with NESO's business plans.
• Define and prioritise the backlog for connections.
• Manage delegated budget, forecast, and change management processes.
• Inform transformation plans, working closely with connections teams and industry
• Lead communication of the project roadmap and change deliverables to internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the connections directorate and NESO at industry events.
• Leverage IT operations systems experience in large critical infrastructure projects, especially within the energy industry.
• Successfully articulate the company's vision at the executive level to ensure alignment and support for strategic initiatives.

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.

• Passionate about driving change and comfortable shaping fast-paced projects.
• Dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for customers and stakeholders.
• Believe in the power of communication, collaboration, and inquisitiveness.
• Extensive experience leading, coaching, and developing teams.
• Proven ability to build and influence relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of connections process, performance requirements, and service delivery is desirable.
• Proven track record of leading change delivery in a continuous operational environment at a senior level.
• Previous IT delivery experience is desirable as you will be responsible for the full product lifecycle of NESO Connection Products, creating roadmaps, defining current and future business capabilities, developing epics/features/stories, as well as identifying required architecture and tools.

• Degree in STEM or technology-related subject or equivalent professional experience demonstrating comparable expertise and capability.
• Scaled Agile accredited (Product Manager or leading SAFe) (Desirable).

A competitive salary…