Senior Business Support Manager

Could you be at the forefront of strengthening how Ofgem runs as an organisation, strengthening how we work, so we can continue the fight for energy consumers? We’re looking for a Senior Business Support Manager to join us and lead the smooth, effective, and resilient operation of one of our most strategically important directorates, Strategy, Economics, Research & Net Zero (SERN).

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers, especially vulnerable people.

We’re offering a permanent position with the chance to make a direct impact on how we operate as an organisation. You’ll join a high-performing, collaborative team and work closely with senior leadership, giving you wide exposure across the directorate and corporate functions. This role will allow you to shape and embed key business processes that support the delivery of our strategic goals.

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a central and trusted role where your judgement will help drive efficiency, transparency, and accountability across the directorate. You’ll work with a broad range of stakeholders across the organisation, playing a key part in improving systems and ensuring business continuity. It’s a fast-paced and varied role, ideal for someone looking to stretch their operational leadership experience and drive lasting improvements.

We’re looking for someone with strong communication and relationship-building skills, capable of influencing across all levels of the organisation. You’ll be comfortable working at pace and managing competing priorities while supporting your team to deliver quality outputs. Strong organisational skills, a collaborative mindset, and a solutions-driven attitude will be key to your success in this role.

In return, you’ll benefit from a supportive, collaborative work environment where your expertise will be utilised. You’ll have the opportunity to shape and lead a high-profile portfolio and contribute to some of our most important work. What’s more, we offer an excellent Civil Service pension, generous leave entitlement, and flexible working options to support your work-life balance.

We have a critical purpose to run Ofgem efficiently and effectively so we can continue delivering for consumers. This role will help shape how we manage budgets, resources and processes to keep the organisation strong and resilient.

Read on and find out more.

As Senior Business Support Manager your will be responsible for delivering an efficient, effective and well-run directorate on the Director’s behalf, taking into consideration Ofgem’s wider priorities, risk appetite and delivery of value for money. The role will involve close working with the Director, and regular interaction with DDs and other managers across SERN Directorate.  You will be expected to manage the SERN budget, liaising with Finance to ensure accurate forecasting and effective use of funds across staff, training, travel & subsistence and consultancy spend. You will also ensure processes are fit for purpose. You will draw upon your excellent communications skills to ensure your team communicates in clear, concise, and effective way, across the various tasks they are responsible for, with your help, direction and support.

This opportunity will suit someone with strong organisation skills who can drive forward initiatives to support business improvement. You’ll be part of and lead a small team that is highly collaborative in supporting SERN SLT and their wider teams, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to work with colleagues across the organisation – establishing positive working relationships with Risk, Finance, HR, Workforce Planners, Business continuity and others.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advice and support directly to the Director on how best to manage the directorate, in line with corporate policies, guidance and general direction of the organisation.
• Support and provide for a well-run, efficient and effectively managed Directorate, leading on improvements to processes and responding to business needs and queries in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Work with senior leaders to implement change, understand risks and ensure the delivery of key business support functions (Business Planning, Financial In-Year Management, Risk management and so on).
• Work with colleagues in SERN and other areas to facilitate Ofgem delivery ensuring activities are carried out in line with agreed strategic policies and overall priorities.
• Provide leadership and motivation to staff within your immediate line management responsibility and colleagues across the Directorate as necessary.
• Recruit, lead, motivate, develop and manage the performance of direct reports and influence others in SERN to develop high calibre and high performing teams with the skills and capabilities needed to deliver the required results for the Directorate.  You will be responsible for setting the direction for your team, overseeing day to day activities and monitoring performance.
• Support and lead on SERN’s in-year financial management, business planning, business continuity activity, control and assurance and all necessary corporate and other relevant commissions as appropriate.
• Manage key external stakeholders including supplier and contract management to ensure smooth delivery of business support services.
• Provide a level of flexibility to respond to ad hoc request as and when they arise and as directed.
• Run the CEO’s Policy Forum, working with his office on the frequency of meetings and undertaking all secretariat duties.