Senior Policy Manager 12 Month FTC

Role OVO-View

Team: Policy & Regulation

Salary banding:  £70,000 - £90,000

Experience: Experienced

Working pattern: Full-Time (12 Month FTC)

Reporting to: Oscar Knowles, Head of Policy & Regulation

Sponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

This role in 3 words: Strategic. Engaging. Collaborative. 

Top 3 qualities for this role: Communication. Influence. Initiative.

In the words of the team, you should leave your current role for this one because….

“The UK is on the brink of a major energy transition, one that will see the way in which we generate, store and consume energy fundamentally change in support of achieving net zero - want to be on the front line of driving meaningful change for our company, customers and country? Here’s your chance!”

Where you’ll work:

At OVO, we understand that a one size fits all approach doesn’t work for everyone. That’s why we created the OVO Way of Flexibility.

All our roles are hub based (Bristol, Glasgow or London), providing a dedicated space for collaboration, connection and teamwork. You’ll also have the flexibility to work from home.

Everyone belongs at OVO

At OVO, we are on a mission to solve one of humanity's biggest challenges, the climate crisis. And we know it takes all of us to change the world. That's why we need diverse people from all abilities, gender identities, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, life experiences and backgrounds to join us.

Teamworking for the planet

Everything we do here spins around Plan Zero. So, naturally, the team you’ll be joining plays a gigantic role in making that happen. Here’s how:

The Policy & Regulation team at OVO lead our engagement with policy makers across all government departments, lobbying for the change that will make a real difference. Whether it’s carbon cutting or bill cutting, we exist to make sure OVO’s voice is heard.

This role in a nutshell:

You’ll be harnessing your detailed knowledge and passion for the energy system to help craft policy and regulation as we transition to Net Zero. Directly supporting key OVO functions, including our Commercial and Energy teams, you’ll lead on developing OVO’s view on key market and consumer developments, and shaping our vision for the future retail market.

Most critically, you’ll ensure OVO is heard externally with key decision makers across Whitehall and the energy sector, helping to shape the narrative across a range of policy topics, including the transition to net zero, supporting vulnerable customers, and reforming the energy market. 

You’ll be keen to build strong internal and external networks, drive visibility and grow the impact of the policy team across the business. You will be comfortable in working closely with internal and external team members at all levels, using your influence to advocate for key policy changes.

We must be credible in all that we do. So, we need someone who can get going quickly, ask the right questions, and build robust evidence bases to inform our thinking. 

Your key outcomes will be:

• Shaping OVO’s views on key matters of energy policy into clear, compelling and coherent positions underpinned by impactful evidence 
• Creating an ongoing policy activation strategy in partnership with OVO’s Public Affairs and Communications teams
• Leading the development of OVO’s responses to key government policy consultations
• Representing OVO externally at key industry forums and events, continually driving policy change that supports our customer and commercial strategies
• Developing and deepening new and existing relationships with key external partners across Whitehall, the regulator and a range of industry bodies
• Leading internal policy forums to facilitate the right discussions at the right time, surfacing the challenges we want to overcome, and the solutions for them

Over the period of the FTC you’ll:

• Establish yourself as the ‘go-to’ policy expert within the business
• Build a strong understanding of OVO’s customer and commercial aims
• Build strong relationships with key internal team members across all areas of OVO
• Develop and implement a framework for identifying and collating OVO’s key positions on all priority areas of energy policy
• Kick off the development of a long-term policy activation strategy, leading OVO’s external engagement with policy officials 

You’ll be a successful Senior Policy Manager at OVO if you…

• Have proven experience, knowledge and passion for energy markets and the transition to Net Zero
• Are an expert policy maker, with the ability to grasp the detail of often sophisticated policy challengers and translate them into coherent and compelling messages for our internal and external audiences 
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence team members at all levels through constructive relationships 
• Understand how Ofgem, Whitehall and Parliament function, and the levels to pull to effect positive change 
• Are upbeat and results-focussed, with a strong delivery edge and a desire to solve complex challenges head on 
• Are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

Let’s talk about what’s in it for you

We’ll pay you between £70,000 - £90,000 depending on your specific skills and experience. If your expectations are a little different, have a chat with us!

We keep our pay ranges broad on purpose to give us, and you, flexibility to match your experience to our zero carbon mission.

You’ll be eligible for an on-target bonus of 15%. We have one OVO bonus plan that focuses on the collective performance of our people to deliver our Plan Zero goal. 

We also offer plenty of green benefits and progressive policies to help you feel like you belong at OVO…and there’s flex pay.  It’s an extra 9% of your salary on top of your core pay to use as you like. You can take it as cash, add to your pension, or choose to spend it on a huge range of flex benefits.

Here’s a taster of what’s on offer: 

For starters, you’ll get 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays).

For your health
With benefits like a healthcare cash plan or private medical insurance depending on your career level, critical illness cover, life assurance, health assessments, and more

For your wellbeing
With gym membership, gadget, travel and cyber insurance, workplace ISA, will writing services, DNA testing, dental insurance, and more

For your lifestyle
With extra holiday buying, discount dining, culture cards, tech loans, and supporting your favourite charities with give-as-you-earn donations

For your home 
Get up to £300 off any OVO Energy plan (when you pay by Direct Debit), plus personal carbon offsetting and great discounts on smart thermostats and EV chargers

For your commute
Nab a great deal on ultra-low emission car leasing, plus our cycle to work scheme and public transport season ticket loans

Want to hear about our full range of flexible benefits and progressive people policies? Our People Team can tell you everything you need to know.

For your Belonging

To find better ways to support our people, we need to listen to each other’s experiences and find ways to build a truly inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of this, we have 8 Belonging Networks at OVO. Led by our people, for our people - so when you join OVO, you can play a part - big or small - with any of the Networks. It's up to you.

Oh, and one last thing...

We’d be thrilled if you tick off all our boxes yet we also believe it’s just as important we tick off all of yours. And if you think you have most of what we’re looking for but not every single thing, go ahead and hit apply. We’d still love to hear from you! If you have any additional requirements, there’s a space to let us know on the application form; we want to make the process as easy and comfortable for you as possible..