Deputy Director Public Affairs

at  Ofgem

JOB SUMMARY

As Great Britain’s regulator for the energy industry, Ofgem exists to ensure a safe, secure and sustainable energy supply to British households and businesses. We work to protect energy consumers, especially vulnerable people, by ensuring they are treated fairly and benefit from a cleaner, greener environment.
Join us in this exciting new role which is unique in the energy industry - working with our executive team and board to align the external affairs strategy with Ofgem’s organisational strategy. The changes needed in the energy sector are huge, and in this important leadership role you will have the opportunity to impact change that affects every single household in the UK.
We are seeking an exceptional public affairs specialist who really understands the energy sector. The ideal candidate will also have the experience and gravitas to successfully navigate and influence in a political environment. This high profile role will be the key interface between Ofgem, Parliament, Government and all political parties. It is an opportunity to lead on strategic sustained engagement for Ofgem and its role in the transition to net zero. You will need to be credible and influential amongst a wide range of stakeholders including parliamentarians, shadow government, devolved nations and regions political structures as well as the wider commentariat and think tanks.
The role can be based in London, Glasgow or Cardiff but there will be a requirement for frequent presence in London to allow for the role to be visible and influential in Westminster.
As the Deputy Director (Public Affairs) you will have the opportunity to shape the role and your team of external affairs and communication professionals. We are therefore seeking someone who can see the bigger picture, manage a quality service and develop both themselves, and others.
If you are ready to make a transformative impact in the energy sector and to embrace and shape this unique and exciting role, apply now and become part of a committed team dedicated to a sustainable future.
Ofgem has a culture of inclusion that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our colleagues. It fuels our innovation and helps ensure we can best represent the consumers and the communities we serve. Everyone is welcome - as an inclusive workplace, our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £75,000, OFGEM contributes £20,250 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; up to 30 days annual leave. Excellent training and development opportunities. The opportunity to join the Civil Service pension arrangements which include a valuable range of benefits. Flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Interest free season ticket loan.
Things you need to know

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)

TYPE OF ROLE

Environment and Sustainability
Senior leadership
Other

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops, plans, and delivers work outcomes, including clear and transparent work objectives, milestones and success metrics.

• Accountable for agreeing and delivering on budget and resource requirements.
• Responsible for building and supporting the teams delivering the work including effective scoping of work and setting of clear responsibilities.
• Encourages and supports development of colleagues within profession and teams.
• Jointly responsible with the Personal Development Lead (PDL) on welfare and pastoral care of all colleagues.
• Effectively undertakes appropriate and necessary D&I focus within their team and the wider organisation.
• Key interface between Ofgem, parliament, Government, and all political parties.
• Set the strategic direction of the function and provide intellectual leadership.
• Lead strategic sustained engagement for Ofgem and its role in the net zero transition and protecting consumers across critical parliamentarians, shadow government, devolved nations, and regions political structures, commentariat, think tanks.

• Lead and build a small senior focused team to navigate high profile energy regulation environment. Lead strategic engagement by building on relationships with critical players across all parties and government, MPs, committee members and their offices.

• • Be an active member of the wider Ofgem Leadership team, to build a high performing, highly motivated and expert organisation.

THE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA FOR THIS ROLE IS:

Proven track record of developing and delivering public affairs strategies for Govt Dept/ALB/Private Sector/NGO with background in energy / net zero / consumer.

• Experience of operating at senior level within regulatory sector/energy sector and Government or similar sector in public affairs and building relationships with key political figures and their teams
• Demonstrable experience of working with Executive and board to strategically align External affairs strategy and activity to organisational strategy.

• Demonstrable experience of driving and producing data and insight driven intelligence on political and policy positions that impact on the Energy sector and managing this upwards with senior leaders.

• • Demonstrable experience of creating, leading and developing high performing teams with the ability to create a proactive and entrepreneurial approach to public affairs.