Great British Energy (GBE) is a publicly owned energy company, created to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and to ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, communities and the energy workforce reap the benefits of a clean and secure energy system.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Corporate Officer (CCO) will translate GBE’s strategic vision into operational excellence, ensuring the organisation is equipped to deliver on its growth and public value objectives. This includes designing and implementing a digital‑first operating model, driving productivity, resilience, and public trust, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the CCO leads corporate functions such as Corporate Services (IT/Estates), Data, Digital & AI, Procurement and supply chain management, and Health, Safety, Sustainability & Social Responsibility. The CCO will line manage the HR Director and work closely with the General Counsel to ensure alignment across governance, compliance, and people strategy.
The CCO will champion operational excellence, commercial discipline, and digital transformation across all corporate functions, ensuring compliance, safety, sustainability, and strong stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement the Target Operating Model (TOM) across corporate functions; set SLAs and KPIs that enable market-facing verticals to deliver outcomes efficiently.
- Lead the design and implementation of scalable operational processes to support rapid growth and adaptation in the evolving energy sector.
Data, Digital & AI
- Own strategy, architecture, and secure operations; champion automation and data governance for end-to-end business processes.
- Drive digital transformation, leveraging technology and data analytics to improve efficiency, transparency, and innovation.
- Work with Divisional Managing Directors to implement the key digital enablers of their go‑to‑market strategies and simplified customer journeys.
Procurement & supply chain management
- Lead group procurement policies (Procurement Act/MPM alignment), contract management, and internal outsourcing strategies; support grant delivery processes where applicable.
- Build and manage resilient supply chains and strategic vendor partnerships (those not specific to asset development or operations), ensuring commercial discipline and value for money.
Health, Safety, Sustainability & Social Responsibility (HSSR)
- Establish best-in-class safety management systems; embed nature-positive practices and social responsibility in operations.
- Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, and lead on ESG and sustainability reporting.
Corporate services
- Oversee IT operations, estates/facilities, and enterprise platforms; ensure business continuity and cyber resilience.
Governance & assurance
- Coordinate with Board/ELT committees; uphold standards of transparency, accountability, and public value.
- Represent GBE with key external stakeholders, including regulators, industry partners, and local communities.
Leadership & culture
- Build high-performing teams; role‑model GBE values; partner with the HR Director on organisation-wide change and engagement.
- Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and values-driven culture, mentoring and developing senior leaders across the organisation.
Person Specification
Essential Experience and Skills
- Executive leadership of complex corporate functions at scale, delivering measurable service excellence.
- Proven experience as a COO / CCO or senior operational leader in energy, renewables, infrastructure, or a comparable sector.
- Strong commercial acumen and financial literacy, with experience managing large budgets and contracts.
- Track record of digital transformation, data governance, and cybersecurity stewardship.
- Deep experience of public procurement policy and contract management.
- Demonstrated success in scaling operations in a fast-growth or start‑up environment.
- Proven Health & Safety leadership and integration of sustainability principles.
- Deep understanding of UK and international energy markets, regulatory frameworks, and public sector governance.
- Exceptional leadership, change management, and communication skills, with the ability to build high-performing teams and drive organisational culture.
- Operating model design in matrix organisations, ideally with energy sector familiarity.
- International operational experience, bringing a global perspective to strategy and delivery.
- Experience with advanced digital transformation initiatives and data analytics.
- Advanced degree (e.g., MBA or MSc in Engineering, Operations, or related discipline)
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or related field (required).
- Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
- Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, NEBOSH, Prince2) are advantageous.
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