Job Description

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is transforming its digital, data and technology landscape to support the delivery of a secure, resilient and net-zero energy system. Central to this transformation is a modern enterprise platform ecosystem that enables customer engagement, operational excellence, workforce productivity and data-driven decision making.

We are seeking a Senior Manager – Enterprise Business Platforms Architect to lead the strategic architecture, governance and evolution of NESO’s core business platform estate. This role will own the architecture and technology strategy for enterprise platforms including Salesforce, Microsoft Azure business services, ServiceNow, customer platforms, workflow automation services, digital engagement platforms and associated business applications.

As the architecture leader for business platforms, you will define target architectures, platform roadmaps, integration patterns and governance standards, ensuring platforms remain secure, resilient, scalable and aligned to NESO’s enterprise objectives. You will ensure the platforms deliver secure, resilient and scalable digital capabilities aligned to NESO’s strategic objectives. You will lead a team of architects and work closely with platform owners, product managers, business stakeholders, security teams, suppliers and delivery partners to drive technology simplification, modernization and value realization.

This role can be based from Warwick / Wokingham and we continue to offer Hybrid working. Travel to other offices is likely to be required, in line with requirements for the role, stakeholder engagements, etc.

This role is designated as requiring a National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance (SC). The level of clearance associated with this role (SC) will usually need you to have been a resident in the UK for the last five years to apply. We would invite any applicants who do not currently meet this residency requirement to still express an interest in the role.

Key Accountabilities

Enterprise Business Platform Strategy

• Define and maintain the architecture vision, strategy and target state for NESO’s business platform ecosystem.

• Develop platform roadmaps covering Salesforce, ServiceNow, Microsoft platform services, customer engagement platforms and future strategic capabilities.

• Ensure business platforms support NESO’s strategic, operational, regulatory and customer outcomes.

• Drive platform rationalisation, simplification and technical debt reduction.

Architecture Leadership

• Act as Design Authority for business platform architecture.

• Establish reference architectures, standards, principles and reusable patterns.

• Develop and maintain platform architecture roadmaps aligned to enterprise architecture direction and delivery priorities. 

• Ensure architectural consistency across customer, corporate and operational platforms.

• Define integration, automation, identity, security and data architecture patterns across the platform estate.

Architecture Governance and Assurance 

• Define and maintain platform standards, patterns and reference architectures. 

• Provide architecture assurance through NESO governance forums. 

• Ensure platform designs align with enterprise architecture principles, security requirements and regulatory obligations. 

• Identify and manage cross-platform risks, dependencies and technical debt. 

Platform Modernisation & Transformation

• Lead architecture for major transformation initiatives impacting enterprise business platforms.

• Drive adoption of cloud-native capabilities, automation, AI-enabled services and modern platform engineering practices.

• Identify opportunities to improve business processes through platform capabilities.

• Ensure solutions balance innovation, risk, cost and operational resilience.

Supplier & Commercial Leadership

• Provide technical leadership for strategic suppliers and managed service providers.

• Support procurement, vendor selection and technology investment decisions.

• Ensure platform vendors align with NESO architecture principles and target outcomes.

• Negotiate architectural requirements and future platform direction with suppliers.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach and develop a team of architects and technical specialists.

• Lead and manage Platform Architecture capability, including line management, work allocation and professional development. 

• Foster an architecture community of practice focused on reuse, standardisation and innovation.

• As a senior member of the DD&T directorate, build architecture capability across the organisation.

• Mentor and support architects across Strategy and Architecture to improve architectural consistency and maturity. 

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

About You

Essential 

• Significant experience in Enterprise Architecture, Platform Architecture or Digital Transformation leadership roles.

• Proven leadership of enterprise-scale platforms including Salesforce, Microsoft Azure and ServiceNow ecosystems.

• Experience defining target-state architectures, platform strategies and technology roadmaps.

• Strong understanding of enterprise integration, API management, identity, security and data management disciplines.

• Experience leading complex transformation programmes and modernization initiatives whilst striking pragmatic balance between strategic thinking and delivery priorities.

• Experience operating within multi-supplier and managed service environments.

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at executive level.

• Experience managing and developing architecture teams.

Desirable 

• Experience within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) or highly regulated environments.

• Knowledge of energy industry technologies and operating models.

• Experience with AI-enabled platform services and automation technologies.

• Understanding of product-based operating models and platform engineering practices.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £90,000 - £100,000 (circa, possible flex) dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, you will receive a benefits allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance, private medical insurance, 28 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%.

NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, 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

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 acting 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.

More Information

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above, 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 show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.