Control Room Operations Manager

SSE PLC; Perth; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Wellbeing services

Cycle to Work scheme

Family entitlements (maternity/policy)

Job summary

SSEN Transmission, part of SSE plc, is seeking an experienced Control Room Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of the Transmission Control Centre and its technical team. You will ensure safe, secure and efficient real-time operation 24/7, delivering clear leadership and strategies during normal, abnormal and emergency conditions.

You will develop policies, governance and incident response, coordinating with NESO, TOs and other stakeholders, while building the capability required

Qualifications

• Significant experience of electricity network or power system operations, ideally within transmission, distribution or safety-critical control.
• Strong knowledge of power system operation, system security, stability and operability, with real-time decision-making.
• Proven experience leading technical or operational teams and building capability.
• Solid understanding of operational risk, contingency planning, system restoration and incident management.
• Knowledge of Grid Code, STC, and Transmission Licence obligations.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder skills to influence senior leaders and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the Transmission Control Centre with clear leadership, direction and support to Control Engineers responsible for safe and secure real-time operation of the network.
• Lead and develop our Control Engineer team, maintaining high standards of competence, operational discipline, safety leadership and technical performance.
• Provide real-time operational leadership and technical direction, determining appropriate operating strategies and contingency actions during normal, abnormal and emergency network conditions.
• Develop and maintain effective Control Room policies, procedures, contingency plans and engineering governance, ensuring compliance with Grid Code, STC and licence obligations.
• Work closely with NESO, other TOs, DNOs, generators and key stakeholders to coordinate system operation and represent SSEN Transmission in relevant operational and industry forums.
• Provide leadership during major system incidents and electricity system restoration, including acting as Bronze Command and supporting Silver Command as required.

Skills

Power system operation

System security

Stability and operability

Team leadership

Operational risk

Contingency planning

Incident management

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder communication

Leadership under pressure

Job description

Base Location: Perth with the opportunity to occasionally work from other locations

Salary: £68,100 - £102,100 + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

We are looking for an experienced Control Room Operations Manager to help lead the day-to-day operation of our Transmission Control Centre, ensuring the transmission network continues to be operated safely, securely and efficiently, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Reporting to the Head of System Control, you will provide leadership to our Control Engineers and technical specialists, maintaining high standards of real-time system operation while developing the people, processes and capability required to operate an increasingly complex transmission system.

Key accountabilities include:

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Transmission Control Centre, providing clear leadership, direction and support to Control Engineers responsible for safe and secure real-time operation of the network.
• Lead and develop our Control Engineer team, maintaining high standards of competence, operational discipline, safety leadership and technical performance.
• Provide real-time operational leadership and technical direction, determining appropriate operating strategies and contingency actions during normal, abnormal and emergency network conditions.
• Develop and maintain effective Control Room policies, procedures, contingency plans and engineering governance, ensuring compliance with Grid Code, STC and licence obligations.
• Work closely with NESO, other TOs, DNOs, generators and key stakeholders to coordinate system operation and represent SSEN Transmission in relevant operational and industry forums.
• Provide leadership during major system incidents and electricity system restoration, including acting as Bronze Command and supporting Silver Command as required.

What do I need?

• Significant experience of electricity network or power system operations, ideally within transmission, distribution or another safety-critical control environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of power system operation, system security, stability and operability, with the judgement to make sound decisions in real time.
• Proven experience leading and developing technical or operational teams, setting high standards and building capability, competence and succession.
• A strong understanding of operational risk, contingency planning, system restoration and incident management.
• Good working knowledge of relevant industry and regulatory requirements, including the Grid Code, STC and Transmission Licence obligations.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder skills, with the credibility to make and defend operational decisions under pressure and influence colleagues, senior leaders and external industry partners.

This role sits at the heart of the safe and secure operation of SSEN Transmission's network. It combines day-to-day leadership of the Control Room and its people with significant real-time operational responsibility.

As the electricity system becomes larger, more dynamic and more complex, you'll help ensure that our Control Engineers, operational processes and Control Room capability continue to evolve with it.

You'll be leading the team responsible for operating the transmission system today, while helping build the Control Room capability we'll need for the network of tomorrow.

About SSE

SSE's purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all.

We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers.

Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all - we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown power for the future and building the infrastructure needed for a cleaner electricity system to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

• Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships.
• Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service.
• Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme.
• As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact [e-mail] / 01738 341043 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.