Lead BA - Strategic Analysis - NESO
About the Role
National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
This Lead Business Analyst role is within the Strategic Business Analyst team part of the DD&T directorate. Strategic Business Analyst team at NESO focuses on shaping and interpreting new IT demand across the System Operations, Resilience and Emergency Management, Markets and Major Projects directorate.
The role primarily delivers strategic pre-project business analysis supporting how IT may address current and future business challenges. To create and maintain valued partnerships with the Business by gaining understanding of the Business’ core needs & processes, in the short, medium and long term and develop Business Cases to recommend innovative and appropriate process or Technology enabled solutions which effectively balance derived value against cost.
The area of focus is on understanding business analysis at a strategic level, how our changes in roles and responsibilities as NESO impact out directorates. Responsibility for this role involves close stakeholder engagement with the system operations and Markets teams, operational Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and product teams.
The role will involve working within a context of uncertainty, due to the general nature of early-stage analysis and the specific evolving nature of new projects.
This role can be based in Wokingham or Warwick NESO offices, with hybrid working (1 or 2 days office) and home. The Strategic Business Analyst (BA) team work across the NESO offices and travel will be expected on team days or as needed.
Key Accountabilities
This position is accountable for working with Business Unit and Technology managers to understand business needs and create robust proposals with sound business cases that meet Directorate and Business objectives. This position is critical to translating business needs into technology solutions, leading the thinking and getting support from various technical elements in the technology organisation.
About What You'll Get
A competitive salary between £55,208 - £58,000 – dependent on experience and capability.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 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.
About Us
The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.
Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.
Our energy, our future, together.
About The National Energy System Operator (NESO)
In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is 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, are now 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 is 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 was the ESO, 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.
More Information
This role closes on 05/03/2026 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.
National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
This Lead Business Analyst role is within the Strategic Business Analyst team part of the DD&T directorate. Strategic Business Analyst team at NESO focuses on shaping and interpreting new IT demand across the System Operations, Resilience and Emergency Management, Markets and Major Projects directorate.
The role primarily delivers strategic pre-project business analysis supporting how IT may address current and future business challenges. To create and maintain valued partnerships with the Business by gaining understanding of the Business’ core needs & processes, in the short, medium and long term and develop Business Cases to recommend innovative and appropriate process or Technology enabled solutions which effectively balance derived value against cost.
The area of focus is on understanding business analysis at a strategic level, how our changes in roles and responsibilities as NESO impact out directorates. Responsibility for this role involves close stakeholder engagement with the system operations and Markets teams, operational Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and product teams.
The role will involve working within a context of uncertainty, due to the general nature of early-stage analysis and the specific evolving nature of new projects.
This role can be based in Wokingham or Warwick NESO offices, with hybrid working (1 or 2 days office) and home. The Strategic Business Analyst (BA) team work across the NESO offices and travel will be expected on team days or as needed.
Key Accountabilities
This position is accountable for working with Business Unit and Technology managers to understand business needs and create robust proposals with sound business cases that meet Directorate and Business objectives. This position is critical to translating business needs into technology solutions, leading the thinking and getting support from various technical elements in the technology organisation.
- Build and maintain relationships with key business stakeholders and enhance working relationships with management members of Business and Data, Digital & Technology (DD&T)
- Review our current Business capabilities and raise awareness through gap analysis for new potential IT solutions.
- Programme/project benefits management. Ensure alignment of IT and business objectives.
- Maintain our Digital Charters understanding IT roadmaps for the directorates and how to prioritise these initiatives.
- Analyse complex business and IT environments to identify innovative, appropriate and cost-effective solutions.
- Responsible for working with assigned business area to develop robust Discovery plans and manage demand for Technology services.
- Make use of a range of consultancy techniques, methods, and processes as appropriate to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Participation on project boards, steering and governance groups as required.
- Support in transforming the Technology organisation into a proactive value-added business-focused service provider.
- Act as a role model valued Business Partner and help champion these behaviours across the organisation.
- Direct experience of a broad range of consulting approaches, Technology delivery processes and best practices to analyse complex business and Technology environments and provide innovative, appropriate and cost effective solutions
- Experience of data, digital and technology strategic, investment and programme planning ensuring alignment with business strategy and priorities
- Ability to create and maintain alignment with diverse groups of stakeholders on uncertain and evolving changes through our roles and responsibilities as NESO
- Strong demonstratable experience in consultancy / business analysis within a regulated industry. Ability to perform well in high pressure regulatory environment.
- Strong communication skills – written and verbal with ability to present complex business and technical matters effectively to senior technical and non-technical audiences
- Interest and curiosity in the energy industry and a desire to drive change within it.
- Ability to take initiative and act in a proactive manner; not needing significant direction or management.
- A good understanding of current and emerging technology best practices and trends.
- A high-level understanding of IT as applied in the Business Context and able to promote Technology solutions.
- Previous experience is likely to have been gained in a consultancy environment, IT organisation within a large multi-national, a business role with significant exposure to IT or within the utilities sector.
- Significant demonstrable experience as a Consultant / Business Analyst working within an IT / Digital Technology environment.
- A bachelor’s degree or have the equivalent digital, data or technology specific industry experience.
- Applicants might require NSV Security clearance, and hence in addition to background checks need to meet the criteria for applying for it. Applicants should also be able to continuously maintain this clearance.
About What You'll Get
A competitive salary between £55,208 - £58,000 – dependent on experience and capability.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 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.
About Us
The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.
Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.
Our energy, our future, together.
About The National Energy System Operator (NESO)
In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is 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, are now 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 is 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 was the ESO, 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.
More Information
This role closes on 05/03/2026 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.