PMO Manager; SSEP - NESO

Position

PMO Manager (SSEP) – National Energy System Operator

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and encourages you to join 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 UK Government has committed to achieving a clean, secure and affordable power system by 2035, supported by Welsh and Scottish governments.

With a legally binding target for net zero by 2050, a significant increase in low‑carbon electricity generation and new technologies such as hydrogen will be required, along with the infrastructure to support them. NESO has been commissioned to create a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for the energy system, land and sea across Great Britain. As SSEP PMO Manager you will lead a dedicated PMO team to ensure consistent high‑quality outputs, rigorous following of PMO processes, and represent the Programme Management Office at portfolio and programme level forums.

You will coordinate and manage the PMO, integrate with the wider programme and Portfolio Management Office, and serve as the first point of contact for Programme Managers regarding programme performance and needed intervention. This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we offer hybrid working from office and home, with full‑time, part‑time, and flexible arrangements.

• Work with the PMO Lead to ensure a consistent single version of the truth for the programme plan and act as single point of contact for plan performance reports from a leadership perspective.
• Work with PMO Analysts to ensure coherent and consistent reporting of progress across the programme, maintaining standards and processes.
• Maintain all programme‑wide processes and systems, ensuring consistency and effectiveness across multiple work streams.
• Present the overarching status of the programme to the leadership team.
• Represent programme status and operations at the portfolio (SEP) level.
• Seek out and implement improvements to SSEP ways of working and operations.
• Support the Programme Manager in governance processes.
• Lead and mentor the PMO team, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Deliver first‑line assurance activities such as programme health checks and deep dives, and coordinate second‑ and third‑line assurance events.
• Manage cost and procurement in the programme, and mentor PMO Analysts in their cost roles.
• Build and maintain relationships across SSEP, Strategic Energy Planning portfolio, and NESO, ensuring requirements are met.

• PRINCE2 Practitioner and preferably Managing Successful Programmes Practitioner, Management of Risk Practitioner, P3O Practitioner, or APM Project Management Qualification.
• Passionate about getting the most out of a diverse team, working with and improving processes, and supporting the day‑to‑day requirements of a complex PMO.
• Experience managing teams within a PMO environment, reporting to senior leadership.
• Demonstrable experience using reporting dashboards and PMO systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Project is desirable.
• Strong communicator with excellent writing skills.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders to understand their requirements and set clear expectations.
• Experience leading a high‑performing PMO team using best‑practice tools and methods.

A competitive salary between £60,000 and £70,000 per annum, dependent on experience and capability. In addition, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave, and a contributory pension scheme with double match up to 12% of your contribution. You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package, flexible work arrangements, and ongoing skill development aligned to NESO’s purpose and values.

In Autumn 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator (NESO) and became the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system. NESO, along with its existing roles, will build on its capabilities and ways of working to create an organisation that meets the energy system’s needs. NESO will consider electricity, natural gas, and hydrogen, and weigh trade‑offs between them.

The organisation is a public corporation with a Board of independent directors, operational independence from government and regulators, and is licensed and regulated by Ofgem.

This role closes on 02/01/2026 at 23:59. Candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Project Management and Information Technology

Utilities