Job Information
National Grid Business Consultant / Strategic Business Analyst - ESO in Wokingham, United Kingdom
About the role
Great Britain's electricity system is undergoing an ambitious, exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.
The purpose of this role is to drive and shape demand from conception to delivery, providing appropriate governance and support. The role involves strategic thinking, utilising business analysis and problem-solving skills within a specific directorate or sub-directorate. The scope of the role will depend on demand requirements.
Working closely with senior delivery managers (SDM), this role provides an end-to-end view on a topic and contributes strategic capacity to drive the directorate and/or technical priorities. This includes developing future-oriented digital charters, roadmaps, and impact assessments.
Additionally, this role collaborates with the wider team to create effective business cases for opportunities or problems. It also manages the demand coming into the Head of Delivery or the wider DD&T teams, ensuring it is directed to the appropriate outcome or accountability within DD&T. The Senior BA Manager or Strategic BA Manager provides support in this process.
The role works with the DD&T Functional Excellence team to ensure that demand management aligns with overall functional planning. Furthermore, it closely collaborates with a broader group of Business Analysts or Product Owners to incorporate demand into relevant backlogs. As the role is assigned to a specific business function, it is responsible for ensuring delivery according to the initial investment scope and sanctioned budget, while also providing detailed reporting back to Ofgem.
While the role may or may not have direct line management responsibility, building positive relationships and effective collaboration is crucial for individual success in this position.
The role requires a strong combination of technology expertise, strategic vision, influencing skills, stakeholder management abilities, and the capacity to think creatively in problem-solving and identifying opportunities.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of establishing a new company with a vision to become a digital leader in the industry. You will play a key role in the development of NESO as it contributes to the UK's transition to a low carbon energy future.
The role will be based in the UK, with options for either Wokingham or Warwick. It is expected that you will spend 2-3 days per week in the office, and there may be occasional travel to other NESO offices located in Wokingham, Warwick, London, and Glasgow.
About us
The ESO has a key role to play in tackling climate change by transitioning GB’s electricity system to net zero. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity system in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon operation by 2025. And by 2035, we want to run 100% clean, green energy, all the time.
Becoming the National Energy System Operator
In Summer of 2024, the ESO will transition to becoming the National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator will be the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.
The ESO, including all of its existing roles, will be at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.
The organisation will be set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As the ESO are today, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.
The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.
Key Accountabilities
Understand, develop and maintain up to date NESO and directorate knowledge and translate NESO’s priorities, outcomes and vision in relation to specific scope into digital charters and roadmaps.
Strategic focus with SDM or SPM to drive the directorate and/or technical priorities, specifically future looking digital charters, and roadmaps.
Plans, manages and investigates business situation analysis where there is significant ambiguity and complexity.
Create the right business cases around opportunities and/or problems. Manage the demand from the directorate with a digital first mindset, leveraging technology to meet business goals and objectives.
Work with the DD&T Functional Excellence team to ensure that the demand management part of the role links into overall functional planning.
Work closely with the wider group of BAs or Product Owners to ensure that demand is incorporated into relevant backlogs as applicable.
Build positive relationships with stakeholders across the directorate and DD&T and influence them to achieve the strategic vision.
Provide concise and well-informed reports to stakeholders and Ofgem, including Cost Monitoring Framework, end/mid scheme reports.
Monitor the progress of delivery to ensure expected deliverables and results with specific focus on benefits realisation.
Keep abreast of the latest technology trends and developments and apply them to business analysis and problem-solving activities.
Engages and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders. Gains agreement from stakeholders to conclusions and recommendations.
About you
Successful candidates will need to demonstrate the following skills:
Ability to cohesively bring together business analysis, change leadership, strategic thinking, and planning skills.
Ability to take initiative and act in a proactive manner; not needing significant direction or management.
Experience of data, digital and technology strategic, investment and programme planning ensuring alignment with business strategy and priorities.
Customer Centric and digitally driven with the ability to communicate effectively and adapt to an ever-changing landscape where priorities will change.
Experience in strategic planning and demand management for digital solutions in a complex and dynamic environment.
Experience driving digital transformation, mindset and culture in their sphere of influence.
Skills in business situation analysis, including problem identification, root cause analysis, stakeholder engagement, and solution evaluation.
Ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders to align vision, objectives, and outcomes.
Knowledge of the latest technology trends and developments and how they can be applied to address business needs and opportunities.
Skills in creating and presenting clear and compelling business cases, digital charters, and roadmaps to support decision making and prioritization.
Ability to adopt and use the most appropriate tools (mural, ADO etc) and techniques (VSM, design thinking, BPM, user research, wire-framing etc)
Core understanding of Digital Delivery and Agile DevSecOps aspects such as design thinking, CI/CD, Cloud, Value measurement and benefit tracking etc.
Mandatory Criteria
Applicants should ideally possess a bachelor’s degree or have the equivalent digital, data or technology specific industry experience.
Applicants should have at least 10 years of experience in planning, business analysis, relationship management, and/or driving delivery.
Applicants might require NSV Security clearance, and hence in addition to background check need to meet the criteria for applying for it. Applicants should also be able to continuously maintain this clearance.
What you’ll get
A competitive salary between £52,000 – 73,000 – dependent on experience and capability.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values, and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.
More Information
This role closes on 18/09/2024 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.
We're 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.
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