Connections Data Governance Lead

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 future. 

Due to continuous growth, we are looking for a Data Governance Lead to join us.

This is an exciting and influential role within the Connections Data Strategy team. The team is looking for a diligent and collaborative Data Governance Lead to establish, oversee, and mature our data governance framework. In this role, you will define data policies, standards, and metrics to ensure our data assets are high-quality, secure, compliant, and easily accessible across the organisation.

As a Data Governance Lead, you’ll be a catalyst for progress. You’ll guide teams and individuals through significant shifts, championing new ways of thinking about data governance and ensuring transitions are smooth, positive, and purposeful. Your work will unlock real business value by introducing clarity in data governance frameworks and road maps.

Reporting to the Connections Data Strategy Manager, you’ll bring your expertise to ensure governance change is prioritised, well‑managed, and fully embedded.  You’ll apply a structured, thoughtful approach to support coordinate a network of data stewards across the business and support implementation of policy compliance.

Key Accountabilities 

• Lead and support Data strategy and governance initiatives, developing clear and comprehensive change strategies.
• Produce stakeholder mapping, communication and engagement plans, training approaches, and reinforcement activities to ensure effective adoption and sustainable outcomes.
• Provide senior stakeholders with confidence that governance is well understood, planned, and set up for successful delivery.
• Design and implement a connection-wide data governance framework and roadmap.
• Establish data quality standards, master data management strategies, and data lineage workflows.
•  Coordinate a network of Data Stewards across business units to enforce policy compliance.
• Partner with Legal and Information Security to ensure alignment with GDPR, CCPA, and industry regulations.
• Roll out data cataloguing and metadata management tools to improve data discoverability.

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

We’re looking for a proactive, and people‑focused Change & Delivery Specialist who thrives in a fast-paced environment.  You will bring energy, clarity and a collaborative style and someone who enjoys connecting with others and making change feel exciting and achievable.

You will fit this role if you:

• Proven ability to build consensus and drive data culture shifts across technical and non-technical teams.
• Strong understanding of global data privacy regulations and compliance risk management.
• Can design structured, practical approaches governance through to stakeholder engagement and delivery frameworks.
• Build trust quickly and influence confidently at all levels.
• Communicate with impact, creating clear and engaging messages and training that bring people with you.
• Naturally motivate and support individuals and teams through periods of transition.
• Bring strong analytical skills, including impact assessments, readiness checks and benefit evaluations.
• Can turn insight into clear, actionable guidance that helps people understand the “why” and the “how”.
• Are committed to learning, adapting and continuously improving.
• Have awareness of Agile/SAFe ways of working and how they support iterative delivery (advantageous).
• Are keen to evolve change practices and help build NESO’s organisational capability.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £56,000 - £68,000 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.

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.

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.