Business Manager

Job summary

Ofgem is Great Britain's independent energy regulator. Our primary responsibility is to protect energy consumers, especially the most vulnerable, while at the same time working with government, industry and consumer groups to deliver a clean, more affordable and secure net-zero energy system at the lowest cost to consumers and drive economic growth.

We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to bring their authentic self to work. We know that diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds strengthen our organisation and help us better serve consumers and communities across Great Britain.

We're looking for an experienced and strategically minded Business Manager to join our People Group. This is a high-profile role working directly with the Chief People Officer, providing leadership and oversight across governance, assurance, business planning, risk management and workforce strategy.

You'll play a critical role in ensuring the People Directorate operates effectively, transparently and in line with Civil Service standards, enabling delivery of Ofgem's strategic priorities and supporting a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and excellence.

Job description

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the Workforce Strategy, including policies, controls and reporting mechanisms.
• Accountable for managing the business planning cyclical process for the Directorate – leading on engagement across all key stakeholders on behalf of the Chief People Officer.
• Lead risk and assurance activities across the People function, managing HR-related risks and supporting internal and external audits.
• Monitor compliance and produce governance reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability in HR processes and decision-making.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders (including the Board and SEC) and HR teams on governance, assurance and ethical practice, promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive enhancements in governance processes, building capability across teams and supporting governance arrangements for major HR programmes and boards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Service

• Provide clear strategic direction, ensuring the hybrid operating model functions seamlessly and delivers against organisational priorities.
• Deputising for HR Deputy Directors and Chief People Officer as required.

Framework Development

• Lead the design and implementation of HR governance structures, controls and reporting mechanisms.
• Drive improvements in governance processes and promote a culture of learning and accountability.

Risk and Assurance Management

• Identify, assess and monitor HR-related risks and issues.
• Coordinate assurance activities and support audit readiness.
• Drive good practice to ensure the People Directorate are on target to achieve green audits (internally and externally).

Compliance Monitoring and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with Civil Service policies, legal obligations and internal standards.
• Produce regular compliance reports.

Budget Management

• Responsible for the budget management of the portfolio on behalf of the Chief People Officer.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advice

• Provide expert advice to senior leaders, HR teams and business units on governance and assurance matters.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong understanding and experience of governance principles, risk management and assurance frameworks (Lead Criteria).
• Ability to analyse complex information and present clear, actionable recommendations to senior stakeholders (Lead Criteria).
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience engaging with boards or committees.
• Experience in programme management, compliance monitoring and coordinating internal/external audits.
• Proficiency in using governance and reporting tools.
• Professional qualification in Programme Management or similar discipline (or equivalent experience)

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of Civil Service governance standards and HR policy frameworks.

#LI-DNI

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will also be asked to prepare a presentation/case study. Full details of the presentation will be included in the invitation to interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,443, OFGEM contributes £18,379 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).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

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, 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 and desirable skills and capabilities 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. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.