Were looking for someone with strong leadership credentials and expert-level knowledge of the UK political and regulatory landscape. Youll bring the ability to manage senior relationships, influence external thinking and deliver high-impact communications strategies that drive real-world outcomes.
In return, youll join an inclusive and purpose-driven organisation that values the power of public service. Youll benefit from chances to grow your portfolio at the pinnacle of the sector, build a network at the highest level of government, and make a real impact on how Ofgem is viewed and perceived.
Our Public Affairs Team have a critical purpose to champion Ofgems role in shaping energy policy and regulation across political and public arenas. We build the trust, awareness and influence needed to deliver positive change for energy consumers. This is your chance to play a prominent role in shaping how energy policy choices are communicated at the highest levels.
Read on and find out more.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
* Experience of expertise/capability in Public Affairs, as demonstrated by proven record of high performance and substantial achievements in past positions. (LEAD)
* Experience of and a proven aptitude for leadership, e.g. through formal or informal management of others. (LEAD)
* Detailed understanding of Westminster, devolved governments, and the UK political process.
* Effective networker and influencer with a strong track record of influencing change.
* Proven success in developing communications strategies to drive organisational objectives and priorities.
* A proven track record of being a self-starter with balanced decisions making ability. The ability to exercise good judgement on wider implications of the external environment and how this links to Ofgems objectives. Providing clear, balanced advice and support to Ofgems senior leadership.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Leadership
* Communicating and Influencing
* Developing Self and Others
Benefits
Alongside your salary of 61,446, OFGEM contributes 17,800 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; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
When you press the Apply now button, you will be directed to a Civil Service test guidance for this can be found here Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Upon passing the test, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.
You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word personal statement evidencing how you meet the essential criteria listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Ofgem takes any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Please refer to Civil Service candidate advice on the acceptable use of artificial intelligence within the recruitment and selection process - Artificial intelligence and recruitment, Civil Service Careers
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [ https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn ].
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
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)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Chloe Baily
* Email : Recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles.
In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website.
Attachments 433312 Head of Public Affairs Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 113kB) 433312 Head of Public Affairs Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 900kB) Terms and Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)