About Us
At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon‑free for a short period this year – provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. We provide expert advice to government on delivering a clean power system by 2030, and, as an independent, regulated entity licensed by Ofgem, make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security while acting in the best interests of all energy users.
About The Role
We’re looking for a design leader to join our team on a two‑year fixed‑term contract. In this senior design management role you will shape and coordinate end‑to‑end design across a future‑focused national operations facility programme, ensuring resilience, efficiency and long‑term capability within a design‑and‑build delivery model. You’ll bridge the space between internal design teams, external design houses, specialist consultants and the wider supply chain – holding the thread of design integrity across all of them. The programmes you’ll work on sit in the £50m–£500m range, spanning technically complex built environments. This is a visible, accountable, and influential role, managing design quality, schedule, and multi‑discipline integration while reporting progress clearly to senior leadership.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead end‑to‑end design strategy across all project phases
- Coordinate multidisciplinary teams – architects, engineers, consultants
- Manage the interface between NESO, design houses and the supply chain
- Own design schedules, quality, risk and budget control
- Leverage BIM, Digital Twins and design tools for integrated delivery
- Present clearly to senior leadership and programme directors
- Independently manage team members across partner organisations
- Lead, mentor and develop the design team, fostering a collaborative high‑performing environment
- Maintain clear and effective communication with internal teams and external partners
- Manage stakeholder expectations through consistent, transparent updates on design progress
About You
- Proven Design Manager with experience delivering capital projects (£50m–£500m) within complex built environments
- Experience in infrastructure‑led programmes (e.g. data centre design) and a strong understanding of associated demands
- Strong understanding of the RIBA Plan of Work, including relevant overlays (e.g. design, commercial, BIM) across project stages
- Experience operating within design‑and‑build models, with a grasp of supply chain dynamics and stakeholder coordination across frameworks, design houses and specialist suppliers
- Technically credible, able to engage confidently in detailed engineering discussions and build trust with specialist design partners
- Collaborative and decisive, able to stay calm and focused under pressure and competing deadlines while managing stakeholder expectations effectively through clear and timely updates on design progress
- Proficient in design and digital tools (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, digital twins, project management platforms)
Qualifications
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related field
- Membership of a professional body such as RIBA, ICE, RAE or equivalent is a plus
- Professional certification in project management or design disciplines is preferred
What You’ll Get
A competitive salary of £70,000‑£80,000 depending on experience and capability. In addition to your base salary, NESO offers core benefits including:
- A bonus based on company performance
- 26 days annual leave as standard
- A competitive contributory pension scheme where we double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 12%
- An annual enrolment to the NESO Savings Plan, with a 50% matching contribution when you save between £20‑£500 a month from your take‑home pay
Benefits
- Flexible bank holidays & holiday trading
- Additional birthday day off
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme, retail & gym discounts
- Private medical insurance, critical illness insurance & personal accident insurance
More Information
We encourage you to apply early, as the role closes at 23:59 on the date displayed at the top of this advert. NESO is committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated and able to reach their full potential. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation and welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
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