Procurement Policy & Governance Lead – NESO

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us 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.

2026 continues to be an exciting year for NESO, particularly within our Procurement Centre of Excellence team, as we continue to strengthen our procurement framework, governance and ways of working. As Procurement Policy and Governance Lead, you will play a key role in shaping, embedding and continuously improving procurement policies, procedures and best practice across the organisation, helping to ensure our approach is compliant, consistent and fit for a changing environment.

We are looking for someone with strong experience in procurement, governance and compliance, ideally gained within a regulated public sector or utilities environment. You will bring a strong understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and wider regulatory requirements, alongside the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders to drive high standards, support good decision‑making and promote continuous improvement across procurement at NESO.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to part time, as well as flexible working arrangements.

Key Accountabilities

• Developing and maintaining procurement policies, procedures, and guidelines, ensuring compliance utilities/public sector regs/industry best practices.
• Leading development and implementation of the governance frameworks and central procurement templates, ensuring transparency accountability, and ethical practices in procurement activities.
• Monitoring/evaluating procurement processes, workflows and system design and compliance, identifying opportunities for improvement and recommending best practice to enhance efficiency and cost savings.
• Partnering with the Systems team, to continuously improve the Ivalua platform, ensuring it remains an intuitive, self‑service solution that complies with government regulations and NESO policies.
• Supporting the development and implementation of AI‑enabled capabilities within the Ivalua e‑tool, to improve user experience, data quality, compliance controls, and process efficiency.
• Serving as a subject matter expert on regulated procurement policy and governance, providing strategic advice, guidance and support to internal stakeholders to enable informed decisions making and consistent application of procurement processes across the organisation.
• Collaborating with legal, finance, and compliance teams, ensuring procurement practices and regulatory requirements.
• Accountable for the regular co‑ordination of the Procurement Assurance Forum, ensuring cases are on the agenda, pre‑read circulated along with the capture of minutes and distribution and all documents are stored to the NESO standards.
• Developing and delivering training programs, promoting understanding of procurement policies and governance across the organization, with a key focus on PA23 and utilities reg awareness (including process and notices).
• Conducting regular audits and assessments, ensuring compliance with procurement standards, regulations, and preparing reports for senior management.
• Analysing market trends and industry developments, ensuring the organization’s procurements remain competitive and aligned with best practices.
• Owning the development, authorship and distribution of the monthly Procurement team newsletter, helping to drive engagement, share key updates and reinforce consistent procurement practices across the organisation.

About You

• Significant experience in procurement, with a strong background in procurement policy, governance, compliance, or assurance.
• Strong understanding of regulated procurement environments, ideally within the public sector or utilities, with knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and wider governance requirements.
• Transforming Public Procurement, Government training is an essential requirement for this role.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into clear, practical policies, processes, guidance and templates.
• Confident in building relationships and working collaboratively with stakeholders across procurement, legal, finance, compliance, and systems teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice, deliver training and influence good procurement practice across the organisation.
• Highly organised and detail‑oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused and committed to continuous improvement, with experience of strengthening governance, improving processes and enhancing user experience.
• Experience of supporting e‑procurement systems or digital process improvement would be advantageous.

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary of £50,000 – £60,000 dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, NESO’s core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package.

• Bonus based on company performance.
• 26 days annual leave as standard.
• Contributory pension scheme where we double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Annual enrollment to NESO Savings Plan; when you save between £20 and £500 a month from your take‑home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.
• Flexible benefits programme providing flexibility around health, lifestyle and protection benefits.

Flexible benefits include:

• 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.

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.

In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO – an independent, expert public corporation with a whole‑system view across electricity, gas and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users.

Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system‑wide benefit, long‑term thing and public value.

The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.

Other Information

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above; however, we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible.

We are committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each 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 and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.

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