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 complex challenges facing Great Britain’s energy system. We’re looking for Senior Policy Managers to join us and lead influential work that will help shape the future of electricity markets and system operation across the UK.

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.

In particular, we are looking for experienced Senior Policy Managers to lead policy development across strategic workstreams in high profile and high impact areas. The successful candidate would be deployed to either of the following teams depending on their 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. We also own and lead on electricity wholesale market policy, ensuring markets work effectively and adequate consumer protections are in place.

• 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 lead policy development across strategic workstreams in areas that are attracting significant attention across government, industry and the regulatory landscape. Working alongside major stakeholders, you'll help tackle some of the most important challenges facing the energy sector, contributing to reforms that support energy security, consumer protection and the transition to a low-carbon future. The scale and visibility of the work provide a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a sector undergoing unprecedented change.

Job description

We’re looking for candidates with a strong understanding of the energy sector, excellent analytical and policy development capabilities, and the ability to navigate complexity while balancing competing priorities. You'll be a collaborative and influential communicator who can build effective relationships and translate complex issues into clear, evidence-based recommendations.

In return, you'll join an inclusive and supportive organisation that values diverse perspectives and empowers colleagues to make a genuine difference. Alongside flexible working arrangements, you'll have the opportunity to work closely with experts from across government, industry and regulation, building your profile while contributing to nationally important priorities that affect millions of consumers.

We have a critical purpose to shape the future of electricity markets and system operation. Join us in helping combat the challenges of affordability, security of supply and decarbonisation while supporting the delivery of a resilient, 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:

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

• Analysis / policy development: the ability to gather data from a variety of sources, analyse and interpret large data sets, develop evidence-based insights, assess costs and benefits, and present robust policy recommendations that highlight risks, trade-offs, and wider impacts. [Lead Criteria]

• Organisational skills: the ability to identify and scope appropriate project/research work, plan ahead, prioritise activities (or resources), manage multiple priorities to successfully deliver at pace.

• 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.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• 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 (opens in a new window).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

467442 - Senior Policy Manager Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 659kB)467442 - Role Profile_2B_Senior Policy Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 188kB)Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)