Gemserv is an expert provider of professional services. We are purpose-driven, working across multiple sectors including energy, low carbon, the public sector and health to tackle today’s social and environmental challenges. Established in 2002, the business provides a range of consultancy and outsourcing capabilities including programme management, market design and governance.  We also have extensive and award winning capabilities across cyber security, data privacy and digital transformation. We are a B Corp, IIP Gold accredited and a Financial Times Leading Management Consultancy for 2021 and 2022. Our purpose is to make things that matter work better for everyone.      

The nature of what we do means we are very much a people business. The contribution every member of the team makes to our diverse range of experience, skills and personalities is valued. We invest heavily in learning and development to enable our people to develop skills and gain experience which will enhance career prospects for life. Many who started their careers with us have rapidly progressed to more senior positions.

At Gemserv no two days are the same, but we believe in a flexible approach to working which we know our employees value. We also offer an attractive package of benefits in addition to highly competitive salaries including bonus scheme, pension and healthcare, season ticket loans, discounted gym membership, Cycle to Work scheme and more.

We are looking to strengthen our smart metering regulatory expertise by appointing a senior consultant into our Smart Energy Code (SEC) team. You will bring a deep understanding of the regulatory arrangements surrounding the SEC and will have the opportunity to guide thinking of the SEC Panel and help to shape the direction of the smart metering programme now and in the future.

To be successful in this role, you will need a wide knowledge of the regulatory aspects of smart metering and strong stakeholder engagement skills.

The Role

The Smart Energy Code (SEC) underpins the smart meter rollout programme in Great Britain and is opening up opportunities for the future direction of the market. It’s a complex, challenging, and ground-breaking sector, and would suit someone who wants to make a real difference in the transition towards Net Zero.

In this role you will be responsible for providing regulatory and governance support to the SEC Panel and its Sub-Committees (which sit beneath the Panel) by shaping the discussion; ensuring industry issues are discussed in the right places and taken forward; responding to industry consultations; and ensuring SEC obligations are understood and being met. A sound understanding of the Smart Metering governance and technical arrangements is therefore essential to the role.

This role sits within the Smart Energy Code Administration Service (SECAS) Technical Operations team, a dedicated technical and regulatory group sitting within the wider SECAS team. The main responsibility of this team, via the relevant Panel Sub-Committees, is to ensure that the smart metering infrastructure is designed effectively, tested properly and working correctly, as defined by the SEC.

Our Technical Sub-Committees comprise key industry stakeholders (SEC Parties) representing Energy Suppliers, Equipment Manufacturers, Network Operators, and the Data Communications Company (DCC).  Your role will involve guiding regulation relating to the design, testing, operation and security of DCC systems which interface with Users, to facilitate the sub-committees in being able to make informed decisions and ensure compliance.

From a stakeholder management perspective, you will also partner with the Data Communications Company (DCC), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Ofgem, on matters relating to the regulatory aspects of the SEC, through which you will have an opportunity to influence the direction of the smart metering programme. You will also attend and present at industry governance forums and engage with key stakeholders and SEC Parties. Strong stakeholder management skills are therefore a must.

We receive numerous consultations from DESNZ, Ofgem and the DCC, which you will review and summarise in Plain English for the benefit of the SEC Panel and SEC Parties. In response to those consultations, you will also collate industry views, make recommendations and draft responses on behalf of the SEC Panel and industry. Exceptional written and communication skills are therefore essential, as well as the ability to work to deadlines.

Another aspect of the role will be ensuring that the SEC obligations are fully understood and being adhered to by all parties, with evidence of ongoing adherence provided. This role will therefore support the establishment of a new Performance Assurance Framework and Board and provide ongoing support to the Board.

The position holder will also be a guardian to the SEC, ensuring it is up to date, cross-referencing is clear, and opportunities to streamline are identified.

You will be responsible for the ongoing monitoring of the Joint Industry Plan (JIP) to ensure that key items are reflected in SECAS forward plans and the SEC Strategic Plan, and that ultimately the JIP is transitioned to the SEC.

The wider SECAS team comprises over 30 motivated individuals who pride themselves on quality of delivery while also fostering a collaborative and fun atmosphere. We operate a hybrid working approach with a mix of office and remote working, with the team expected to be in Gemserv’s London office for part of the week.

Responsibilities

As a Regulatory and Compliance Specialist, you will be responsible for:

• Providing governance and regulatory expertise and advice to the SECAS team, SEC Panel and its Sub-Committees. This will involve drawing upon or developing knowledge and subject matter expertise in the industry and other relevant regulatory and governance frameworks as required.
• Drafting consultation responses on behalf of the SEC Panel, in response to consultations issued by DESNZ, Ofgem and the DCC. This will involve reading the consultation in full, providing a summary to the SEC Panel, suggesting an approach, providing high-quality drafting, and incorporating feedback.
• Co-ordinating a forward view of consultations being issued by DESNZ, Ofgem and the DCC which are likely to require a SEC Panel response or are likely to impact the SEC.
• Monitoring SEC Obligation compliance, ensuring that SECAS, the SEC Panel and SEC Party obligations are fully understood and being adhered to, with evidence of ongoing adherence provided.
• Supporting the establishment of a Performance Assurance Framework and Board (should SEC Modification Proposal MP224 be approved) and provision of ongoing support to the Board.
• Guardianship of the SEC, ensuring it is up to date, cross-referencing is clear, and opportunities to streamline are identified.
• Supporting the ongoing management and evolution of the SEC issues triage process, ensuring that issues raised by SEC Parties and Sub-Committees are funneled through the correct mechanism and body to ensure their resolution. This will involve ensuring that the wider SECAS team is aware of and adhering to the approach, and that the different routes are clearly articulated to SEC Parties.
• Ongoing monitoring of the Joint Industry Plan (JIP) to ensure that key items are reflected in SECAS forward plans and the SEC Strategic Plan, and that ultimately the JIP is transitioned to the SEC.
• Providing subject matter expertise to support any company ‘Viewpoints’, Case Studies or Thought Leadership papers prepared.
• Leading or supporting other SECAS projects as directed by the Technical Governance Manager, and continually improving the processes and products of the team.
• Knowledge sharing and mentoring across the team.

Competitive salary plus bonus and excellent benefits package

Requirements

Candidates must have a solid understanding of the SEC and its Subsidiary Documents, the smart metering arrangements, and the governance, regulatory and technical arrangements underpinning these, having worked in the energy or smart metering sector for at least two years.

In addition, successful candidates will:

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, and can understand and communicate complex issues in Plain English
• Skills, knowledge, and technical confidence to work with SEC Parties, the Panel and Sub-Committees, Meeting Chairs, Ofgem and DESNZ, and to challenge views and assumptions with these stakeholders
• Strong client and stakeholder management skills, and be proactive in identifying and addressing client requirements
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities, able to manage their time, and be adaptable to varying workloads and changing priorities
• Excellent problem-solving and analysis skills
• Strive for excellence in their work and that of others, able to deliver high-quality work, being methodical, diligent and paying attention to the detail
• Fast learner, able to assimilate and understand new information and subject areas in a short space of time
• Team player, able to work as part of a team and support colleagues, with good interpersonal skills

Upon employment, employees should also have a sound awareness of the Company's Information, Quality, Environmental and Energy Management Systems.

WHAT WE OFFER
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Profit related Bonus (discretionary)
Reward and recognition schemes
Flexible working
Private Bupa healthcare
Life Assurance (up to 4 times annual salary)
Matched pension contributions
Season Ticket Loan
Cycle to work scheme
Buy and Sell annual leave
Reimbursement of eye test and up to £50 towards glasses or contacts
Corporate gym rates
Employee Assistance Programme
Summer and Christmas parties, along with monthly Gembar