Lead Contract Manager

SSE plc; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Gym memberships

Cycle to Work

Family entitlements

Job summary

SSE — Lead Connections Contracts Manager role in Reading or Portsmouth with a hybrid pattern (50% in office). Own relationships and contractual obligations within the Connections Contract Management function, driving performance and value while mitigating risk.

You will lead a high-performing team, collaborate across SSEN, and develop best practice frameworks from contract acceptance through energisation. A customer-first mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Good commercial awareness with regulatory funding and charging mechanisms.
• Customer driven environment, possessing excellent negotiation and personal skills.
• Good knowledge of utility, infrastructure, engineering, or regulated operational environments, with the ability to apply that experience to electricity distribution networks and associated assets.
• Leader of people; coaching and mentoring skills, performance management skills.
• Ability to deliver within challenging timescales, the ability to effectively prioritise, plan and organise, balance immediate and longer-term business priorities

Responsibilities

• Optimise performance of the Connections Contract Management team and ownership of customer relationships to ensure our service is delivered.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across SSEN to ensure consistency of delivery across multiple teams
• Drive income by developing and implementing training, governance, reporting practices, and behaviours aligned with industry best practice
• Efficient and accurate issuing of Standard License Condition 12 (SLC12) Connection Offers and subsequently their contractual management, from acceptance to energisation, to mitigate contractual, network security, and financial risks to SSEN
• Develop, coach, motivate and empower all colleagues and direct reports in line with the leadership blueprint to deliver and perform to their full potential within a positive but challenging environment.

Skills

Leadership

Contract management

Commercial awareness

Negotiation

People development

Job description

Base Location: Reading or Portsmouth

You’ll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in the office

Salary: £51,600 - £77,400 + 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:

We’re looking for a Lead Connections Contracts Manager to play a vital role in driving performance, improving service delivery, and leading a high-performing team within our Connections Contract Management function.

You’ll take ownership of customer relationships and contractual obligations, ensuring consistency and excellence in our connections services. You'll collaborate with teams across SSEN, develop best practice frameworks, and manage projects from contract acceptance through to energisation all while mitigating risks and maximising value.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced professional with great leadership qualities, deep industry knowledge, and a customer-first mindset to make a lasting impact on the future of our network.

This vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if a high number of applications is received.

You will:

• Optimise performance of the Connections Contract Management team and ownership of customer relationships to ensure our service is delivered.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across SSEN to ensure consistency of delivery across multiple teams
• Drive income by developing and implementing training, governance, reporting practices, and behaviours aligned with industry best practice
• Efficient and accurate issuing of Standard License Condition 12 (SLC12) Connection Offers andsubsequently their contractual management, from acceptance to energisation, to mitigate contractual, network security, and financial risks to SSEN
• Develop, coach, motivate and empower all colleagues and direct reports in line with the leadership blueprint to deliver and perform to their full potential within a positive but challenging environment.

You have:

• Good commercial awareness with an understanding regulatory funding and charging mechanisms
• Customer driven environment, possessing excellent negotiation and personal skills
• Good knowledge of utility, infrastructure, engineering, or regulated operational environments, with the ability to apply that experience to electricity distribution networks and associated assets.
• Leader of people; coaching and mentoring skills, performance management skills.
• Ability to deliver within challenging timescales, the ability to effectively prioritise, plan and organise, balance immediate and longer-term business priorities

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plansees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

SSEN Distribution, part of the wider SSE group, powers 3.9 million UK homes and businesses. Our team of more than 4,200 skilled engineers, customer service advisors and energy experts keep customers connected to a safe, reliable supply of electricity while investing in and developing the flexible networks needed for our low carbon future.

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] 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.