Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work in a government department that is at the forefront of current policy making decisions that will impact the UK and beyond? If yes then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.   

Here at DESNZ we are securing the UKs long-term energy supply, bringing down energy bills and halving inflation. We are seizing the opportunities of Net Zero to lead the world in new green industries and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference. 

Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are Bold, we are Collaborative, we are Inclusive and we Learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive.    

We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.  

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. 

Find Out More 

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/ 

Heating accounts for around 1/3 of the UKs carbon emissions and decarbonising heating is one of the most difficult challenges we face in addressing climate change.

Heat networks supply heat from a central source via a network of pipes carrying hot water. In urban areas, they are often the lowest cost, low carbon heating option.

They could provide about 20% of total heat by 2050. They currently provide 3%.

Were recruiting a self-starting Strategic Engagement Manager to shape and lead the Heat Networks team engages with industry and our partners.

We need to work closely with a range of different stakeholders in the public, private, and third sectors to transform the heat network sector, build more low carbon heat networks, improve existing ones, and protect consumers.

You will be using your communications and stakeholder engagement skills and experience to improve our engagement with our most important stakeholders. You will ensure that our team of 70 policy, project and commercial professionals have the tools to communicate and engage with stakeholders consistently and effectively.

You will be part of the Strategy, Engagement and Growth Team. Our responsibility is to work across the wider heat networks team to support project and policy delivery.  This varied role provides an opportunity for you to develop your understanding of the energy sector as well as your skills in critical thinking, strategy, partnership management, and project delivery. 

Key responsibilities:

You will:

• Own, evolve and promote the Engagement Strategy for the team ensuring that project specific engagement is well aligned with our overarching Heat Networks Transformation Programme.
• Work with projects to help colleagues develop specific engagement plans, ensuring they consider and use a range of engagement methods and channels to inform key audiences and secure their support to deliver our objectives.
• Build and manage relationships with key partners across government, industry, and local government
• Build our capability to provide a professional service to our stakeholders by owning our core messaging, gov.uk presence, regular email newsletters and core briefing products.
• Work with our Deputy Directors and Strategy lead to craft a compelling and exciting narrative for heat networks which effectively communicates our plans to wider non-technical audiences and promoting it internally to inform colleagues engagement with industry associations, investors, devolved administrations and other partners.
• Be a leader within the Heat Networks Team, taking responsibility for ministerial visits, shaping our people group work, advocating for inclusive behaviours and supporting team well-being.

Skills and experiences:

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Proven experience of developing, managing, and delivering strategic engagement plans using a range of engagement methods and channels. This includes providing strategic engagement advice to senior officials and Ministers.
• Excellent written and communications skills with the ability to work well in a reactive environment.
• A good working knowledge of stakeholder planning tools and mapping techniques, the ability to spot gaps and commission research to fill them and inform approaches.
• The ability to see the big picture, think laterally and develop strategic approaches to drive an agenda forward.
• A good understanding of how to develop and analyse different strategic options and use data to monitor the effectiveness of delivery.
• Able to build effective working relationships and have experience of building a network across different groups to enhance the reputation of the organisation and advocate effectively for change.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of a programme or project management environment
• Experience of organising large events

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need.

Office attendance

The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home-based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.

Job contact :

• Name : Chris Mcbride
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]