Head of Cyber Policy

Job summary

At the forefront of the fight to secure Britain’s energy system against evolving cyber threats, Ofgem is shaping the policies that will safeguard our clean, digital and decentralised future. We’re looking for a Head of Cyber Security to join us and direct cutting-edge regulatory policy.

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers, especially vulnerable people.

We’re offering a permanent opportunity within our Cyber and Artificial Intelligence Directorate, where you will operate at the heart of national efforts to embed cyber resilience into the energy system. This is a senior leadership role with real authority and influence, shaping how cyber regulation evolves in response to rapid digitalisation, decentralisation and emerging threats. You will drive a high-performing team and drive the development and implementation of evidence-based policy that balances innovation, security and consumer protection.

You’ll oversee major, high-profile programmes, including collaboration on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and shaping the cyber design of Smart Secure Electricity Systems as part of the UK’s Clean Power 2030 ambitions. Acting as a visible leader across Ofgem and government, you will ensure consumers are at the heart of our work, and digital and operational technologies are used responsibly and ethically.

Job description

We’re looking for someone already operating at senior leadership level, with significant experience leading complex policy development in a technical or regulatory environment. You’ll bring inclusive leadership, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate trade-offs while influencing senior stakeholders across government, regulators and industry. An engaging communicator, you will be comfortable distilling complex technical issues into clear strategic direction.

In return, you’ll join a collaborative and inclusive organisation that empowers leaders to innovate and make a meaningful impact. We offer a hybrid working model with one day a week in the office and a generous package of benefits. You’ll work alongside expert colleagues across government, regulators and industry to make a real difference and drive digital safety.

We have a critical purpose to drive cyber resilience across the energy system and its clean transition, ensuring digital and operational technologies are secure, ethical and fit for a Net Zero future. As Head of Cyber Policy, you will drive that agenda, ensuring the UK’s energy infrastructure remains robust in the face of evolving cyber risk.

Read on and find out more.

Person specification

Essential:

• Proven aptitude for inclusive leadership in a technical area evidenced through formal or informal management experience. This includes the ability to develop strong, effective working relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders, setting the direction and giving guidance to deliver goals (LEAD)
• Significant experience of leading the policy development process, and managing the input of relevant analytical, technical, and legal experts to appraise policy proposals and present recommendations that highlight the risks, trade-offs, and wider commercial and economic considerations to decision makers. (LEAD)
• Strong track record of engaging, advising, and influencing stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership. Skilled in fostering collaboration and trust across a wide range of internal and external partners.
• An effective and engaging communicator, both verbally and in writing. Able to distil complex or technical subject matter into clear, relevant messages tailored to varied audiences, including senior stakeholders.

Desirable

• Knowledge and / or expertise in Cyber Policy and/or energy Regulation.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,446, OFGEM contributes £17,800 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and openness. They should follow the Civil Service code and be free from any influence or bias. We are committed to making sure interests are recognised, declared and managed appropriately so that we can fulfil our duties as an energy regulator. Our Conflicts of Interest policy outlines the types of interests Ofgem staff must declare before onboarding, and the rules they must follow throughout employment so that we can clearly demonstrate that our decisions are not influenced by private interests.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Chloe Baily
• Email : Recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles.

In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website.

Attachments

450416 Head of Cyber Policy Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 142kB)450416 Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 640kB)Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)