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. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030. NESO is an independent, expert public corporation with a whole‑system view across electricity, gas and hydrogen. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security, always acting in the best interests of all energy users. We are fully independent from government, the regulator and any commercial interests, with a clear focus on system‑wide benefit, long‑term value and public value. The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Together, our energy drives a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
About The Role
Our organisation is responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system. As the UK moves towards its 2050 net‑zero target, NESO aims to operate a zero‑carbon electricity system some of the time by 2025 and run on clean green electricity all of the time by 2030. Trusted and accessible data will drive the right outcomes, allowing the business and industry to innovate and create new tools and insights to enable decarbonisation.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Data and Digital Platforms, the Senior Manager for Data Governance will lead NESO’s enterprise approach to data governance, data quality, data protection and data risk management. This role is accountable for setting standards, frameworks and controls that ensure NESO’s data is trusted, well governed and fit for purpose across operational, strategic and regulatory use.
- Own and continuously improve NESO’s data governance frameworks across data quality, trusted sourcing/lineage, master and reference data management and data privacy/protection capabilities, ensuring they are practical, embedded and aligned to business needs and to NESO’s enterprise risk and control framework.
- Drive planning of data governance BAU and change initiatives in consultation with the Senior Manager of Data Partnering and the Head of Data & Digital Platforms.
- Ensure mechanisms for cascading priorities to capability teams, cross‑capability dependency resolution, progress tracking and reporting and risk/issue escalation are operationally effective and aligned to business needs.
- Support cross‑capability working across the Data function to drive consistency, efficiency and shared outcomes.
- Define and deliver tools, training and guidance to improve operational maturity across data governance capabilities.
- Act as the senior subject‑matter expert for data management, data protection and data governance across NESO initiatives and platforms.
- Influence NESO’s data‑related strategies, policies and standards to ensure they are effective, deliverable and aligned to Ofgem’s Data Best Practice Guidance.
- Deliver insightful, succinct, data‑driven reporting to the NESO Executive Leadership Team, identifying risks, control gaps and efficiency opportunities. This includes providing clear executive‑level insight on data policy compliance and compliance risks, leveraging Key Control Indicators (KCIs) and defining and reporting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess operational maturity and key risks.
- Serve as sponsor and chair of data governance forums.
- Establish and maintain clear data ownership and accountability across NESO in line with the data governance model.
- Work closely with Legal, Compliance and Group stakeholders to understand obligations and manage associated data risks.
- Lead enterprise data assurance activities using a risk‑based approach, supporting the first line to mature data controls.
- Maintain and evolve data services and guidance that enable stakeholders to access trusted data assets and capabilities.
Requirements
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Degree in a data, technical or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience in data management.
- Significant experience in senior leadership roles, with a strong strategic mindset and ability to influence outcomes at executive level.
- Deep knowledge of data management, data governance, data quality and analytics principles, with familiarity with industry frameworks such as DAMA DMBOK, DCAM and CDMC.
- Proven experience designing, implementing or significantly improving enterprise‑scale data capabilities.
- Experience leading complex data or technology programmes, including supplier and partner management.
- Strong people leadership capability, with experience building high‑performing teams and developing talent.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
- Demonstrated ability to influence behaviours, embed standards and drive cultural change.
- Strong communication skills, able to convey complex concepts clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
Desired Attributes And Skills
- Professional certification in data management (e.g. CDMP) or equivalent.
- Experience working within the energy sector or a similarly complex, regulated environment.
- Understanding of the role of data in enabling system transformation, decarbonisation and regulatory compliance.
Benefits
Competitive base salary of £80,000 – £100,000, dependent on experience and capability. Additional benefits include:
- Bonus tied to company performance.
- 26 days annual leave.
- Competitive contributory pension scheme with double match up to 12% company contribution.
- Annual enrolment to NESO Savings Plan with 50% match for monthly savings of £20‑£500.
- Flexible bank holidays and holiday trading.
- Additional birthday day off.
- Cycle to work scheme, retail and gym discounts.
- Private medical insurance, critical illness insurance and personal accident insurance.
EEO Statement
Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we’re committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment process where everyone can show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds to build a workforce that feels valued, respected, fairly treated and able to reach their full potential.
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