Senior Policy Manager

Job summary

Ofgem is working at the forefront of the fight to deliver a cleaner, fairer and more secure energy future, helping combat the challenges facing today’s energy system while driving the reforms needed to support Net Zero. We’re looking for Senior Policy Managers to join us and lead high-profile, high-impact work that will help shape the future of Great Britain’s electricity markets and system operation.

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 two permanent opportunities with the chance to influence some of the most significant developments taking place across the energy sector today. You’ll work at the heart of major programmes that are helping transform how the energy system operates for consumers and industry alike. You’ll be part of a portfolio responsible for supporting a reliable, affordable and secure electricity system as the country transitions towards Net Zero. You could be deployed to either of the following teams depending on your skills, experience and interests:

• The Markets and Operational Reforms team:we are responsible for delivering balancing and settlement reforms under the Reformed National Pricing (RNP) programme, working closely with DESNZ and NESO to deliver a fair, affordable, secure and efficient electricity system.

• The System Operation team: we are responsible for policies related to system operation, balancing cost and operational dispatch, restoration, NESO markets and the development or arrangements for dedicated network service provision.

You'll have the chance to collaborate with influential stakeholders, contribute to nationally important priorities and help shape solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing the energy system. The breadth of the work and the scale of its impact mean you'll be able to influence outcomes that matter to consumers, businesses and the future of energy in Great Britain.

Job description

We’re looking for candidates with strong project leadership and policy development capabilities, alongside the ability to navigate complexity, build effective relationships and communicate confidently with a wide range of audiences. You'll bring an understanding of the energy sector and a track record of delivering meaningful outcomes in fast-paced and evolving environments.

Alongside the opportunity to work on some of the most important energy reforms in the country, you'll benefit from our inclusive and collaborative culture, comprehensive benefits, including flexible ways of working, and the chance to work alongside experts from across government, industry and regulation.

We have a critical purpose to shape the future of electricity markets, system operation and NESO regulation. Join us in helping combat the challenges of energy security, affordability and decarbonisation while supporting the delivery of a reliable, efficient and consumer-focused energy system.

Person specification

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential criteria. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• Project Management skills: Proven ability utilising project management tools and techniques to scope, plan, manage resources and stakeholders to deliver projects at pace. [Lead criteria]

• Policy analysis / policy development: the ability to identify, analyse, and articulate complex problems; assess costs and benefits, identify need for analytical, technical, or legal support, and present robust policy recommendations which highlight risks, trade-offs and wider impacts. [Lead Criteria]

• Collaboration skills: Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills that effectively communicate complex issues to non-expert audiences in written documents and orally. Ability to frame policy options and present appropriate analysis to support senior decision-making.

• Sector knowledge or experience: Knowledge or experience working in electricity regulation, electricity system operation or energy markets, particularly GB and/or EU energy markets.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,452, OFGEM contributes £14,326 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 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. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

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.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 : Rob Wilkins
• 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

466118 - Senior Policy Manager Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 658kB)466118 - Role Profile_2B_Senior Policy Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 198kB)Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)