Senior Manager - Data Governance
About Us
At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.
In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always actin in the best interests of all energy users.
Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.
The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together
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.
About The Role
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is an independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system, but that’s not all we do. As the UK moves towards its 2050 net zero target, NESO has a vital part to play. We want to operate a zero-carbon electricity system some of the time by 2025 and run on clean green electricity all of the time by 2030. It’s an ambitious goal and it’s not too far away…and we can't get there without trusted and accessible data to drive the right outcomes, allowing our business and the industry the means to innovate and exploit this data to create new tools and insight that will enable decarbonisation.
Reporting to the Head of Data and Digital Platforms, the Senior Manager for Data Governance will lead NESO’s enterprise approach to data governance, data quality, data protection, and data risk management. This role is accountable for setting standards, frameworks, and controls that ensure NESO’s data is trusted, well governed, and fit for purpose across operational, strategic, and regulatory use.
The role provides leadership across the design, embedment and assurance of associated data quality, trusted sourcing / lineage, master and reference data management, records management, external data sharing, data loss prevention and data privacy frameworks, working closely with peers across the Data function, Data Architecture, and wider business. You will define and report on data maturity, oversee data related risks and controls, and provide assurance to senior leadership, boards, and committees on NESO’s compliance and control environment, and manage governance forums.
Collaboration is central to the role: partnering with Legal, Compliance, Digital, and business teams to embed ownership, improve data behaviours, and enable consistent adoption of data standards across NESO. Through strong governance forums, clear performance measures, and pragmatic guidance, you will help NESO realise business value from data while managing risk appropriately.
This role is based in Warwick or Wokingham. We offer hybrid flexible working between the office and home. We require at least 2 days in office per week and candidates must be willing to travel between our office locations in Great Britain.
If this role excites you and you don’t have all the knowledge or skillsets, we encourage you to apply, as additional support and/or training will be considered for the right applicant.
Key Responsibilities
We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has:
Requirements
What You'll Get
A competitive salary of £80,000 - £100,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package. - You will receive a bonus based on company performance- 26 days annual leave as standard - A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. - Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.
Benefits
NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your helath, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:
This role closes at 23:59, on the date displayed at the top of this advert, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment
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. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to shoe their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.
In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always actin in the best interests of all energy users.
Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.
The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together
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.
About The Role
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is an independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system, but that’s not all we do. As the UK moves towards its 2050 net zero target, NESO has a vital part to play. We want to operate a zero-carbon electricity system some of the time by 2025 and run on clean green electricity all of the time by 2030. It’s an ambitious goal and it’s not too far away…and we can't get there without trusted and accessible data to drive the right outcomes, allowing our business and the industry the means to innovate and exploit this data to create new tools and insight that will enable decarbonisation.
Reporting to the Head of Data and Digital Platforms, the Senior Manager for Data Governance will lead NESO’s enterprise approach to data governance, data quality, data protection, and data risk management. This role is accountable for setting standards, frameworks, and controls that ensure NESO’s data is trusted, well governed, and fit for purpose across operational, strategic, and regulatory use.
The role provides leadership across the design, embedment and assurance of associated data quality, trusted sourcing / lineage, master and reference data management, records management, external data sharing, data loss prevention and data privacy frameworks, working closely with peers across the Data function, Data Architecture, and wider business. You will define and report on data maturity, oversee data related risks and controls, and provide assurance to senior leadership, boards, and committees on NESO’s compliance and control environment, and manage governance forums.
Collaboration is central to the role: partnering with Legal, Compliance, Digital, and business teams to embed ownership, improve data behaviours, and enable consistent adoption of data standards across NESO. Through strong governance forums, clear performance measures, and pragmatic guidance, you will help NESO realise business value from data while managing risk appropriately.
This role is based in Warwick or Wokingham. We offer hybrid flexible working between the office and home. We require at least 2 days in office per week and candidates must be willing to travel between our office locations in Great Britain.
If this role excites you and you don’t have all the knowledge or skillsets, we encourage you to apply, as additional support and/or training will be considered for the right applicant.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and continuously improve NESO’s Data Governance frameworks across data quality, trusted sourcing / lineage, master and reference data management, and data privacy / protection capabilities, ensuring they are practical, embedded, and aligned both to business needs and to NESO’s enterprise risk and control framework.
- Drive planning of data governance BAU and change initiatives in consultation with the Senior Manager of Data Partnering and the Head of Data & Digital Platforms.
- Ensure mechanisms for cascading priorities to capability teams, cross-capability dependency resolution, progress tracking and reporting, and risk/issue escalation are operationally effective and aligned to business needs.
- Support cross capability working across the Data function to drive consistency, efficiency, and shared outcomes.
- Define and deliver tools, training, and guidance to improve operational maturity across data governance capabilities.
- Act as the senior subject matter expert for data management, data protection and data governance across NESO initiatives and platforms.
- Influence NESO’s data related strategies, policies, and standards to ensure they are effective and deliverable and aligned to Ofgem’s Data Best Practice Guidance.
- Deliver insightful, succinct, data driven reporting to the NESO Exec Leadership Team, identifying risks, control gaps, and efficiency opportunities by:
- Providing clear executive-level insight on data policy compliance and compliance risks, leveraging Key Control Indicators (KCIs)
- Defining and reporting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), providing clear executive level insight on operational maturity and key risks.
- Sponsor data governance forums / chair as appropriate.
- Establish and maintain clear data ownership and accountability across NESO in line with the data governance model.
- Work closely with Legal, Compliance, and Group stakeholders to understand obligations and manage associated data risks.
- Lead enterprise data assurance activities using a risk-based approach, supporting the first line to mature data controls.
- Maintain and evolve data services and guidance that enable stakeholders to access trusted data assets and capabilities.
We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has:
Requirements
- Degree in a data, technical, or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience in data management.
- Significant experience in senior leadership roles, with a strong strategic mindset and ability to influence outcomes at executive level.
- Deep knowledge of data management, data governance, data quality, and analytics principles, with familiarity with industry frameworks (e.g. DAMA DMBOK, DCAM, CDMC).
- Proven experience designing, implementing, or significantly improving enterprise scale data capabilities.
- Experience leading complex data or technology programmes, including supplier and partner management.
- Strong people leadership capability, with experience building high performing teams and developing talent.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
- Demonstrated ability to influence behaviours, embed standards, and drive cultural change.
- Strong communication skills, able to convey complex concepts clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences
- Professional certification in data management (e.g. CDMP) or equivalent.
- Experience working within the energy sector or a similarly complex, regulated environment.
- Understanding of the role of data in enabling system transformation, decarbonisation, and regulatory compliance.
What You'll Get
A competitive salary of £80,000 - £100,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package. - You will receive a bonus based on company performance- 26 days annual leave as standard - A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. - Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.
Benefits
NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your helath, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:
- Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
- Additional Birthday Day Off
- Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
- Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance
This role closes at 23:59, on the date displayed at the top of this advert, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment
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. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to shoe their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.