News & insights

Overview

Location: London, UK (hybrid working)

Position: Senior Consultant: energy markets and modelling

The energy industry faces significant challenges, including the urgent need to transition towards 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.

CEPA is seeking an experienced individual to join our London office as a Senior Consultant, supporting our work in the energy sector.

Being a Senior Consultant at CEPA is an exciting opportunity to help public and private sector clients to navigate the evolving energy landscape. This involves providing advice on 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 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 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 trading of flexible household electricity demand.

The ideal candidate for this role will strengthen CEPA's capabilities and service offering in the energy sector, including energy market modelling. The candidate will have the ability to approach complex consulting problems, and suitably oversee the delivery of quantitative and qualitative analysis. They will show an ability to develop outputs to a ‘client ready’ standard. They will lead workstreams or smaller projects, and take responsibility for tasks needed to support effective business planning and financial management, such as regular liaison with clients, keeping revenue schedules up to date and promptly invoice clients. They will be recognised by colleagues as an effective and supportive team member. The candidate should be capable of engaging with external stakeholders on challenging topics.

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 the delivery and communication of high-quality analysis on complex projects, to meet the client’s needs.
• Take responsibility for leading smaller projects and workstreams of larger projects, achieving a target utilisation of 65-75%.
• Contribute to building a sustainable pipeline of work by playing a central delivery role in producing compelling proposals and having a CV that supports external recognition as a subject matter expert.
• Effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and partners.
• Support and manage junior staff.
• 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.
• Experience in providing analysis and guidance on complex questions in energy policy, market design, and market modelling.
• Experience 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.

Qualifications required

Candidates should have:

• A post-graduate degree(s) in economics and/or engineering, or in a related subject.
• Preferably 5+ years of relevant experience working in energy economics, preferably in a consulting or a policy 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.

If you are interested in applying but you’re are unsure of whether you meet the requirements or if the position is right for you, reach out to careers@cepa.co.uk and we can arrange a chat with someone in the team!