Senior Energy Officer

Overview

We are seeking an experienced energy professional with finance and utility industry knowledge to join our team as a Senior Energy Officer.

It is an exciting time to join our Energy Management Team as we continue to manage significant energy and water contracts, deliver sustainable energy projects, and help address the challenge of climate change.  

About us

The Energy Management Team coordinate all aspects of energy and water management across the Council’s estate, with the primary aims of improving the sustainable management of these resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Management Team is part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate of Buckinghamshire Council, the team is currently composed of four full time officers and a team leader. We offer a collaborative, supportive culture in which everyone is given the opportunity to develop, take ownership of their area of work and make a tangible difference to the stakeholders we work with.  

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

The Energy Management Team is responsible for managing the council’s utility supply contracts including but not limited to electricity, gas, water, and biomass supply contracts. The primary purpose of the Senior Energy Officer is to reconcile energy/water data information relating to bills/invoices, and payments.  Facilitate recharges and invoice to internal and external stakeholders; ensure savings, and income from contracts and renewable energy generating assets are optimised; and to manage, develop, and implement processes and activities (including contract management) to improve relationships with suppliers and other stakeholders. A budget is currently allocated to energy expenditure across the council’s corporate assets, and some external organisations participate in the council’s energy contracts - the postholder is therefore critical to minimising financial and reputational risks associated with these arrangements.   

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will have/be:

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage complex workload priorities, set deadlines and cope with conflicting and changing demands.
• Experience working within a financial role including knowledge of current financial processes and regulations, experience with SAP would be a benefit.
• Experience in the field of energy management, specifically related to energy/utility supply contracts and related services.
• Experience reviewing and analysing data to provide recommendations e.g. with regard energy billing, usage data or financial information
• Knowledge of the systems, policies, procedures, professional guidelines, legislation, best practice, and changing developments regarding energy management.
• Able to prepare and present reports for internal or external use, as required. 
• Excellent communication skills with experience of working with customers, partners and stakeholders to resolve issue and enquiries. 
• Good research and analysis skills with the ability to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Good ICT skills including use of standard Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships at all levels.
• A good understanding of project management methodologies and systems.

Other information

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

Normal working arrangement is to work two days per week in the office and the remainder working remotely from home.

Number of positions available: 1

Closing date: Midnight Friday 18th October

Shortlisting date: As applications are received.

Interview date: As applications are received.

Interview-type / process: In person or remote via teams interview.

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact Mark Doyle using [email protected]. Please include “SEO Role” in the subject header.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/