National Energy System Operator
Sector Security Risk Lead
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Sector Security Risk Lead
Security Risk Analyst
Reliable energy systems are fundamental to everyday life in Great Britain, underpinning homes, businesses, public services, and critical national infrastructure. They are essential for economic stability, public safety, and social wellbeing. As the energy system evolves through decarbonisation, increasing electrification, and greater interdependence across sectors, ensuring its security, reliability, and resilience is more critical than ever. Recent events, including the North Hyde substation fire and the Iberian Peninsula blackout, have reinforced the importance of understanding and strengthening resilience across the entire energy system—not just for the present, but for the future.
The Whole Energy System Resilience (WESR) directorate strengthens whole-energy-system resilience by driving change to turn insight into coordinated, prioritised action. This directorate reduces risk and builds capability across the system through analysis, assessments, reviews, emergency exercises, and plans that deliver tangible improvements in collaboration with partners.
WESR operates through a continuous improvement cycle, including:
- Learning systematically about energy system risks and resilience
- Conducting prioritised assessments to generate insights and advice
- Translating insights into actions that drive tangible improvements
The team is expanding its capability to maintain a strategic, system-wide view, integrating insights across all teams to translate these into prioritised risks, workplans, and engagement strategies. This enables each team to specialise in deep expertise and excellence in areas such as:
- Time horizons (short-, medium-, or long-term)
- Resilience capabilities (anticipation, resistance, response, or recovery)
- Energy system elements (electricity, gas, or cross-vector systems)
About the Role
This role is focused on identifying, assessing, and making recommendations to mitigate security risks across the energy sector. This position will work closely with the Sector Security team and wider Energy System Risk and Resilience teams.
The position may be based in Warwick, Wokingham, or Glasgow, with occasional travel to the other locations. Hybrid working is available—alternating between office and home—with flexibility in working arrangements.
National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance (SC) is required for this role. Applicants typically need to have lived in the UK for the past five years to qualify. Those who do not currently meet this requirement are encouraged to apply and express interest.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Accountabilities
This role demands flexibility, adaptability, and dynamic cross-boundary collaboration. Reporting to the Sector Security, Risk, and Engagement Manager, the key accountabilities include:
- Leading risk identification and mitigation alongside a team of experts to assess and recommend security risk reductions across the energy sector.
- Engaging with energy sector participants to drive progress in identifying and evaluating risks and ensure secure, resilient, and safe energy system operations.
- Applying the NESO Risk Management Framework for identification, assessment, and monitoring of risks, working closely with the Risk Framework team.
- Conducting deep-dive assessments on specific parts of the energy system to evaluate security and cybersecurity risks, then providing actionable recommendations.
- Supporting Resilience and Emergency Management teams to enhance whole-energy-system resilience.
- Collaborating with Government to understand policy changes that could impact the security and resilience of the system.
- Providing oversight on recommendations, information, and advice to Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. -working with stakeholders to uncover potential systemic and cascading risks in the energy system, including supply chain vulnerabilities.
About You
Success in this role requires experience in energy, risk management, and strong analytical and leadership qualities. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- You must have strong energy sector experience, with knowledge of whole-energy-system interdependencies and interactions.
- Proven expertise in applying risk assessment and management in an energy or security environment.
- Essential experience in one or more of the following areas:
- National security
- Electricity systems
- Gas infrastructure
- Telecommunications systems
- A passionate advocate for the energy sector, with commitment to the transition to Net Zero.
- Exceptional communication skills—able to simplify complex ideas, issues, and observations for clarity and impact, ensuring the greatest consumer value and resilience outcomes.
- Experience working collaboratively with government, regulators, and intelligence agencies.
- A willingness to obtain, or currently hold, National Security Clearance.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent, combined with significant experience in sector security.
Desirable:
- Additional professional security qualifications/certifications relevant to the role.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Salary and Benefits
A competitive salary of £58,000–£65,000, dependent on experience. Alongside this core remuneration, NESO offers a wide range of benefits:
- Performance-based bonus
- 26 days annual leave (standard minimum)
- Contributory pension scheme, with NESO doubling employer contributions up to a maximum of 12%.
- NESO Savings Plan with matched contributions if you save £20–£500/month from take-home pay.
- Flexible benefits programme, including:
- Flexible Bank Holidays and Holiday Trading
- Additional Birthday Day Off
- Cycle to Work Scheme and Discounts on Retail & Gym Memberships
- Private Medical Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
About Us
At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a crucial role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain’s energy future. We currently operate the world’s fastest-decabronising electricity system and are committed to achieving carbon-free energy operation for a short period this year, where electricity is exclusively sourced from renewable energy.
NESO also advises Government on delivering a clean power system by 2030. Following its transition from the Electricity System Operator (ESO), NESO has expanded into a whole-system operator, managing electricity, gas, and hydrogen while maintaining independent and impartial decision-making. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we balance sustainability, affordability, and security while promoting long-term thinking and system-wide public value.
We prioritise system-wide benefits and work toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. The opportunity to shape this transformation is yours—be part of driving real change.
Equal Opportunities and Fairness Principles
This role closes at 23:59 on the posted deadline, but candidates are encouraged to apply early.
Research indicates some individuals may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every listed requirement. At NESO, we value diversity of skills, experience, and backgrounds and strive to provide a fair, inclusive, and fair recruitment process. We actively promote a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and encourages to reach their full potential.
If the role resonates with you, even if you don’t meet all criteria, we encourage you to apply—the path to opportunity is open to all. Together, let’s create a cleaner, more secure energy future. Your energy. Our future.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location