An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Forecasting & Process Development Manager to lead a team that delivers valuable insight into how the National Grid Electricity Distribution system needs to evolve. Reporting to the Head of System Planning in the Distribution System Operator, we can offer flexibility on where the role is based across our National Grid Electricity Distribution offices. As the Forecasting & Process Development Manager, you will lead and inspire a team of highly skilled engineers and analysts and own relationships with key external stakeholders responsible for co-creating forecasts used for distribution system and financial planning. You will lead the team to deliver critical activities and projects that include: Developing and maintaining long-term electrical load forecasts across four National Grid Electricity Distribution licence areas, published as part of the Distribution Future Energy Scenarios publication Translate pathways and Ofgem guidance into forecasts for connections volumes, providing insights to internal stakeholders to inform financial and workforce planning Maintain and continuously develop assumptions for how our customers use electricity at different times of day and across the year, maximising the opportunities made available through enhanced visibility and flexibility of customer loads. Collaborating with stakeholders to ensure forecasting meets wider business requirements This is a highly innovative part of the electricity industry that requires a motivated leader to continue to drive forward the progress made by electricity networks that is supporting the energy transition. As part of our hybrid working approach this role offers a mix of office and home working. Hybrid working can only be considered once your initial training is complete and subject to business need. About Us We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand. Main Responsibilities The Forecasting & Process Development Manager role is critical in ensuring National Grid are able to produce robust load forecasts that comply with Licence Condition obligations. The role responsibilities span people leadership, delivery leadership of technical outputs and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that each team’s outputs support both operational needs and the transition to a smarter, more flexible energy system. People Leadership and Team Management • Lead, motivate and develop a team of engineers and analysts, fostering a high-performance and supportive environment. • Build and maintain a high-autonomy operating culture with clear accountabilities and guardrails to ensure effective and timely delivery of outputs. Oversee delivery of technical outputs • Lead the end-to-end delivery governance for the Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) process, ensuring long-term load forecasts are produced on time, quality assured and audit-ready across the four licence areas, in-line with the DSO strategic objectives. • Establish and maintain the methodology review and change-control process for connections volume forecasts, ensuring improvements are evidence-based, documented and implemented predictably. • Ensure required input datasets and evidence packs are available, controlled and assured to meet Licence Conditions, Grid Code, CUSC and RIGs obligations, including clear ownership, lineage and audit trail. • Ensure the team interfaces with the wider business and proactively works with data owners and maintainers to continually improve data quality and system integration. Governance and quality • Own the assumptions and change governance process to incorporate updated government policy and stakeholder inputs into team deliverables on a regular cadence • Ensure controls around reproducibility, documentation, data quality and audit trail are consistently applied. Stakeholder management • Act as the primary business point of contact for information on forecasting process and data; triage and prioritise requests. • Lead engagement with internal and external stakeholders to support their use of forecasting data, with a particular focus on making data openly available externally. • Represent National Grid in technical working groups with National Energy System Operator to support the development of Regional Energy Strategic Plans • Translate technical content into clear narratives for senior stakeholders through preparing briefing documents. The Ideal Candidate We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, inquisitive, and with a passion for driving the change required in the energy system to meet our changing customer requirements. A strong understanding of the role of electricity distribution in the UK electricity industry is required, with knowledge of the principles for how we forecast electrical load across our network desirable. The role requires exceptional organisational skills and the ability to lead a team of technical specialists that deliver multiple projects and deliverables simultaneously. Formal management experience and relevant qualifications are desirable, and familiarity with product management concepts such as roadmaps and user needs would be advantageous. You will need excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align diverse teams. Strong communication skills are essential to convey technical concepts clearly to a range of audiences. The role also demands the ability to identify and drive strategic opportunities for process and system improvements. You should be able to present information in a clear, logical manner and adopt an open yet analytical approach to problem-solving. Strong computer skills are essential. The successful candidate will be process-driven, with a focus on data quality and an ‘automate-first’ mindset to support the effective management and development of forecasts suitable for distribution system and financial planning. National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service, (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check. LI-CL2 LI-HYBRID About The Company Joining the UK’s leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. So, as well as a competitive salary, you will also benefit from: Annual performance related bonus 28 days Annual Leave plus 8 Bank Holidays Competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%) Annual Share Save plan Contributory healthcare for you and your family Support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services Free on-site parking at all our main sites Things you need to know National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service, (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check. Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. We anonymise all applications in our recruitment system so we can eliminate unconscious bias and be a workplace that reflects the community we serve. Hiring managers only have access to necessary information at interview stage. If you require additional support to complete your online application, please email nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.