About the job

Job summary

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for transforming energy infrastructure? Could you act as a catalyst for the vital evolution of the energy sector? If so, Ofgem invites you to seize a unique opportunity to shape the future of the UK's energy landscape as one of six Deputy Directors within the Infrastructure Group.

We need you to join us and help to transform the following areas:

- Major Projects
- Network Price Controls
- Energy Systems Management and Security

So, if you are a leader looking to create change, this is your chance to make an impact and lead the change and innovation that will ensure a sustainable future.

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.

There’s never been a better time to make your mark and use your expertise to have an impact whilst being the champion of consumers. Your experience within the energy sector, regulatory regimes and/or network regulation will ensure you are perfectly equipped to lead our teams and support the innovations to deliver clean power.

We’ve got incredible plans in every part of the Infrastructure Group, from the national infrastructure to secure the future of energy to innovating with data and creating ground breaking storage solutions that mean there is never an energy shortage.

You will be a vital player in revolutionising the way our country collects, stores and manages its energy, creating permanent change for today and in the future. What’s more, you will rollout vital innovations to our National Grid to support the achievement of Net Zero.

We have a critical core purpose, to lead the transformation of energy for consumers and our planet, a clear set of strategic goals we are driving to achieve and values that ensure we can get there. Can you bring the expertise we are looking for and be the catalyst of change within our national and world-renowned organisation?

Read on and find out more.

Job description

The Infrastructure Group

Is central to the creation and delivery of a reliable, intelligent, clean energy system that will meet the UK’s demand and supply needs. Our programmes of work and responsibilities are centred around 5 strategic goals aligned to consumer interest. These are (i) creating strong institutions and governance, (ii) building infrastructure fit for a low cost future, (iii) achieving system efficiency and fairness in cost allocations, (iv) maintaining a high quality of service from regulated firms, and (v) ensuring secure and resilient supplies. 

We are recruiting for six exceptional Deputy Directors in the following Directorates:

Major Projects Directorate

Deputy Director Low Carbon Regulated Asset Base (RAB)

Through effective collaboration, develop and deliver the regulatory frameworks to attract the investment needed for a net zero power system through low carbon generation (including new nuclear, hydrogen transport and carbon capture and storage - CCUS).

Responsibility to lead the delivery of Ofgem’s objectives across each of these three low carbon generation programmes, influencing and collaborating with government and industry to put in place all key enablers beyond regulation to ensure effective set up and implementation.

Oversee internal governance on the regulatory arrangements to support appropriate apportionment of risks between consumers and other parties, hold delivery agencies to account, and ensure investment occurs at efficient cost.

Network Price Controls Directorate

Price Control Setting

The two Deputy Director post-holders will have responsibilities to lead Ofgem’s work in carrying out periodic price reviews for all onshore energy networks including gas and electricity. The next price reviews for the gas and electricity transmission and gas distribution sectors are due by April 1, 2026, and by April 1, 2028, for the electricity distribution sector. The objective is to facilitate the investment required to meet net zero targets, while ensuring that network companies deliver a high quality of service; maintain a reliable and resilient network; and deliver good value for money for consumers. The individual roles are:

Deputy Director Network Price Controls – Electricity Sector Price Reviews

Lead Ofgem’s price review processes (known as RIIO-3) for the electricity transmission and distribution sectors.

Connect and engage with a wide range of stakeholders working collaboratively to understand their priorities and ensure that these are reflected in the spending plans, standards and obligations set on electricity network companies.

Defend Ofgem decisions against any legal challenges; as well as provide evidence in this area in relation to Parliamentary scrutiny.

Responsibility to lead the development and delivery of regulatory arrangements needed to implement the outputs from whole system plans that anticipate the network capacity needed to meet legislated targets and carbon budgets, both for transmission level, where the energy is produced, down to the distribution level, where it is used.

Deputy Director Network Price Controls – Gas Sector Price Reviews 

Lead Ofgem’s price review processes (known as RIIO-3) for the gas transmission and distribution sectors.

Connect and engage with a wide range of stakeholders working collaboratively to understand their priorities and ensure that these are reflected in the spending plans, standards and obligations set on gas network companies.

Defend Ofgem decisions against any legal challenges; as well as provide evidence in this area in relation to Parliamentary scrutiny.

Work collaboratively with Government and key industry stakeholders to ensure Ofgem’s network regulation for gas is consistent with and adaptable to any changing policy requirements around the future of heat and usage of natural gas.

Ensure effective long-term whole system planning, working with appropriate institutions and governance arrangements to better support and coordinate investment requirements.

Energy Systems Management and Security Directorate

Deputy Directors in ESMS will collaboratively work with Government to shape and set the direction of the future energy market and charges, ensure the current power and gas markets work effectively and continue to deliver for consumers and support energy security as we move towards net zero, and work to transform and regulate the national energy system operators.

Deputy Director Wholesale Market Reform and Network Charging (Maternity cover, will then be flexibly deployed to a suitable alternative role)

Responsibility to lead Ofgem’s contribution to the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), a complex and high-profile government-led reform programme where Ofgem is playing a major role in policy development.

Work collaboratively to deliver Ofgem’s network charging reform agenda which includes:

• A review of how fixed network costs are recovered from consumers .
• Design of long-term network charge reforms to align with the outcome of REMA and ensure complementarity with the developing strategic planning framework.
• Timely and robust decisions on important code modifications that are proposed by industry across transmission, distribution and balancing charges.

Defend Ofgem decisions against any legal challenges; as well as provide evidence in this area in relation to Parliamentary scrutiny.

Deputy Director Markets and Security

This role leads Ofgem’s work to regulate both the power and gas markets of Great Britain, and takes overall responsibility for gas across charging, markets and gas systems operation. Within this the post holder will –

Lead Ofgem’s regulation of today’s power markets within Great Britain and our cross-border markets, setting clear decisions and direction based in robust risk identification and management.

Lead Ofgem’s regulation of the today’s gas markets, gas charging and gas system operation, as we start the transition to reduce and change gas usage within the GB energy system.

Support Director as SRO for energy security for Ofgem, by working collaboratively leading short- and long-term risk management, robust contingency planning and leading Ofgem’s response to energy security events.

Deputy Director Net Zero Institutions

The system Operator plays a key role in planning the energy system transition to meet net zero targets whilst delivering a secure and cost effective system. It is therefore both a key relationship and key regulatory responsibility for Ofgem, and this role will:

Lead Ofgem’s regulation of the Electricity System Operator and then (subject to final Government policy) a publicly owned National Energy System Operator:

• Work in partnership with Government to deliver NESO, and lead Ofgem’s relationship and regulation for this non-profit NESO in future.
• Design and deliver regulation of ESO, including future price controls, to drive energy system transformation in the consumer interest.

Connect and engage with ESO, the full range of industry and consumer stakeholders and with Government to continue to develop a clear, coherent strategy for whole system energy operation.

Deliver timely and robust regulatory decisions on system operation markets.

#LI-AD1

Person specification

The common essential criteria for all the roles are:

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role with responsibility for setting direction; building high-performing teams and developing people; and delivering major programmes of work.  (LEAD)
  
  
• A responsive leader with the ability to rapidly grip and understand emerging issues, making robust and effective decisions at pace whilst embedding a culture of continuous improvement and change through effective shared learning. 
  
  
• A team player with a proven ability to nurture and build capability in multi-disciplinary teams to achieve shared goals through effective collaboration with internal colleagues and partner organisations.
  
  
• An effective and engaging communicator, with an ability to lead Ofgem’s relationship with key stakeholders including at senior levels.
  
  
• An experienced analytical thinker, with demonstrated ability to validate and analyse complex data, to challenge and sense check results and then communicate technical information clearly and concisely.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £90,000, OFGEM contributes £24,300 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

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.  

Regardless of which roles you wished to be considered for, you will then be asked to provide one 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential skills and capabilities listed in the Essential criteria which are common for all 6 roles. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet each of the essential skills and capabilities. 

You will also be asked a question of how your experience meets the role specific essential criteria for the Directorate you wish to be considered for in no more than 250 words. For those directorates you don't wish to be considered for, please mark n/a. 

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.