Overview

The energy industry faces significant challenges, including the urgent need to transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. This requires reducing reliance on fossil fuels and investing in renewable and low-carbon generation technologies. Balancing supply and demand, grid stability, affordability for consumers, and energy security are complex tasks that require effective contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, like governments, regulators, utilities, network companies, innovators and financial institutions.

We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our London office as a Director. Being a Director at CEPA is an exciting opportunity to help public and private sector clients to navigate the evolving energy landscape. This involves providing advice about regulation, market design and policy based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, including electricity and gas market modelling. Working with CEPA offers a range of challenging and meaningful projects, often requiring the innovative application of economic frameworks.

Examples of recent projects we have delivered in energy market design and modelling include:

• Review of GB wholesale electricity market arrangements and options for reform, including locational price signals.
• Cost-benefit analysis and regulatory framework for the regulatory application of proposed electricity interconnectors.
• Development and assessment of post-Brexit arrangements for trading electricity between GB and countries in the European energy market.
• Comprehensive analysis of gas and electricity security of supply in Ireland.
• Support with setting market design parameters for upcoming capacity auctions in the SEM.
• International review of the development of local electricity markets.
• Market rules for the trading of flexible household electricity demand.

The ideal candidate for this role will strengthen CEPA's capabilities and service offerings in energy market design and modelling. They will be accepted by clients as a lead expert, with demonstrated consulting experience, a solid understanding of UK and European energy policies and market trends, and a strong CV in these areas. The candidate will have the ability to crack particularly complex consulting problems and guide resulting analysis by others. They will show authority in writing and presentational style and will be recognised by colleagues as an effective and supportive senior member of the business. Excellent communication skills, with a good ability to read the room, are essential.

The candidate should be able to lead compelling proposals, leveraging their expertise as a valuable selling point, and generate annual net revenue of £500k-£1m. They will proactively develop and utilise professional networks to drive business opportunities and take appropriate tactical and strategic decisions to address delivery trade-offs across different areas of responsibility.

Joining CEPA provides an opportunity to make a significant impact from day one. As a smaller economic consultancy, there will be extensive interaction with staff at all levels, as well as direct client engagement.

Further information on the work of CEPA’s energy practice can be found here.

Main responsibilities

• Lead high-quality analysis across a portfolio of complex projects, taking a hands-on role when required.
• Exercise sound commercial skills and judgement, delivering projects within the agreed budget and timescales.
• Achieve a target utilisation of 50-60%, managing a portfolio of 3-5 projects, including large-scale projects with significant revenue.
• Effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and partners.
• Support and manage junior staff.
• Lead bidding, project completion, and maintain a sustainable project pipeline.
• Engage regularly with external networks to drive opportunities, in addition to responding to formal tenders. Your CV will be important in winning work.
• Support an inclusive culture at CEPA.
• Commit to ongoing personal and professional development, actively seeking feedback from diverse learning environments like practical experience and formal training, and using it to grow yourself and your colleagues.
• Contribute to the implementation of CEPA’s strategic priorities in operational areas of the business.

Skills and experience required

• Strong understanding of economics and its application within the energy sector.
• Demonstrated expertise in providing analysis and guidance on complex questions in energy policy, market design and market modelling.
• Proficiency in electricity market modelling using Plexos or similar software is necessary. Experience in gas market modelling is preferred.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Familiarity with other analytical tools and programming languages like Python and/or R is highly desirable.
• Up-to-date knowledge of energy policy developments and published scenarios.
• Ability to articulate complex economic concepts accurately and clearly, tailored to the target audience.
• Effective collaboration and adaptability to various roles and teams, with proven skills in people management and motivation.
• Confident communication with clients and external stakeholders in diverse settings to establish and nurture long-term relationships.
• Strong business acumen and decision-making abilities, capable of delivering high-quality work across multiple projects within tight deadlines and allocated budgets.

Qualifications required

Candidates should have:

• A post-graduate degree(s) in economics and/or engineering, or in a related subject.
• Preferably 10+ years of relevant experience working in energy market design, policy analysis and market modelling, preferably in a consulting context.

Working at CEPA

CEPA is a small, friendly organisation operating from an office in London. Outside of work, there is an opportunity to mix with colleagues at an annual awayday event, the annual Christmas party, and informal social events throughout the year organised by staff members.

Most of your day-to-day work will be conducted in our London office or at home. However, you may be required, at times, to travel and work at clients’ sites (in the UK and internationally). We are currently working on a hybrid basis with a requirement to spend at least 50% of time on average working from our office or on client site.

Pay and benefits

Our expectation is that this will be a full-time role.

CEPA offers a highly competitive remuneration package for its staff, including a discretionary annual bonus and a profit-share scheme on top of the base salary.

Other staff benefits include:

• health and life insurance,
• a 5% employer pension contribution,
• 25 days paid holiday per year plus UK bank holidays, and
• a corporate ‘cycle to work’ scheme.

Application process

Applicants should submit a full CV and cover letter to our recruitment team via email to careers@cepa.co.uk

Candidates who are successful with their initial application will be invited for interviews.

CEPA welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We recognise and actively promote the benefits of a diverse workforce and are committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

CEPA is proud to be certified as Disability Confident Committed. We will make adjustments for those who require them to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible.