Head of IT Delivery

SSE plc; Reading, Havant, Glasgow, Perth; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Performance-related bonus

Private healthcare

Gym membership

Online GP

Counselling service

Cycle to Work

Maternity/adoption pay

Paternity leave

Flexible working options

Job summary

SSE plc is seeking a Head of Delivery, Strategy & Quality to define and lead the ECS IT delivery strategy across the UK and Ireland. The role manages a ~£30m annual portfolio and shapes the operating model, governance, and quality standards for rapid, value-driven delivery.

You will lead cross-functional teams, drive modern engineering practices, and ensure alignment with business and regulatory objectives while delivering strategic IT initiatives.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience across large-scale technology and operations.
• Strong knowledge of energy retail, governance and regulatory obligations.
• Deep technical credibility in software delivery, cloud, data and security.
• Proven expertise in Agile, DevOps, product-centric delivery and modern engineering practices.
• Strong commercial and executive leadership with multi-million-pound budgets.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve ECS delivery strategy, agile framework, roadmaps and governance.
• Oversee the £30m annual change portfolio with value-driven delivery.
• Drive high-quality delivery across programmes using governance, QA and risk management.
• Champion modern delivery practices including DevSecOps and data-led improvement.
• Build and lead internal and supplier teams with capacity planning and succession.

Skills

Leadership experience

Energy retail knowledge

Technical credibility

Agile & DevOps

Executive leadership

Job description

Base Location: You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations : Reading,Havant, Glasgow or Perth

Salary: £80,700 - £121,100 + car allowance + performance-related bonus and a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

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

The Role

The Head of Delivery, Strategy & Quality is responsible for defining and leading the overall delivery strategy, agile framework, business architecture, planning, governance and quality framework for Energy Customer Solutions across the UK and Ireland. As a senior member of the ECS IT leadership team, the role provides strategic direction and executive leadership across the technology and change portfolio, with accountability for the effective management of approximately £30m in annual investment. It ensures resources, funding and delivery capability are focused on initiatives that deliver the greatest business, customer, regulatory and financial value, while aligning investment decisions, delivery priorities, operating model choices and operational objectives with business strategy and long-term organisational goals. The role also owns the end-to-end ECS IT delivery operating model, including agile ways of working, portfolio governance, investment and resource planning, delivery standards, quality assurance, delivery health, performance reporting, modern engineering practices and continuous improvement.

You Will

• Define and continually evolve the ECS delivery strategy, agile framework, business architecture and multi-year roadmaps, aligning investment, priorities and capability with business and regulatory objectives.
• Lead governance and oversight of the approximately £30m annual change portfolio, ensuring funding and resources deliver maximum business, customer, regulatory and financial value.
• Drive consistent, high-quality delivery across programmes, products and projects through effective planning, assurance, quality standards, performance reporting and risk management.
• Champion modern delivery practices, including DevSecOps, AI-assisted delivery, automation, product-centric working and data-led continuous improvement.
• Build and lead high-performing internal and supplier teams, strengthening capacity planning, commercial performance, leadership capability and succession across Delivery, PMO, Governance, Quality and Architecture.

You Have

• Extensive leadership experience across large-scale technology, engineering, platform, DevOps and operational services within complex, changing and matrix organisations.
• Strong knowledge of energy retail, industry governance and regulatory obligations, with experience supporting regulator engagement and translating requirements into clear technology actions.
• Deep technical credibility across software delivery, solution design, cloud, integration, data, security, testing, service management and operational resilience, ideally supported by an engineering or technical delivery background.
• Proven expertise in Agile, DevOps, product-centric delivery, business architecture, AI, automation and modern engineering practices, with the ability to improve delivery performance and constructively challenge technical decisions.
• Strong commercial and executive leadership capability, including management of multi-million-pound budgets, investment portfolios, strategic suppliers, cyber and technology risk, complex trade-offs and senior stakeholder relationships.

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.

Our IT division powers growth across all SSE business areas by making sure we have the systems, software and security needed to take the lead in a low carbon world. They provide expertise, advice and day-to-day support in emerging technologies, data and analytics, cyber security and more.

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 275 846 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.

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