Lead Energy Systems Specialist

ScottishPower; Birkenhead; Hybrid; GBP 56,880 - 69,520; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36 days annual leave

Holiday purchase

Share Incentive Plan

Cycle to Work

Job summary

SP Energy Networks in Birkenhead are expanding their Distribution System Operation (DSO) Strategic Projects and Optimisation team. The role focuses on delivering strategic projects to maximise network capacity and value, shaping future energy plans with cross-sector thinking.

You will lead project delivery, report on outcomes, and influence stakeholders across the industry to support net-zero objectives and a Just Transition.

Qualifications

• Strong project management experience within a large organisation.
• Proven ability to deliver multiple projects and programmes in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholder influencing skills.
• High level of business planning capability and financial awareness.
• Ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of key strategic projects within SP Energy Networks' DSO Strategic Projects and Optimisation team.
• Develop solutions for problems with undefined scope by clarifying the problem as part of the work.
• Manage project reporting and produce analyses to support decision-making and show outcomes.
• Represent SP Energy Networks in industry groups and forums to influence sector directions.
• Support business change programmes as new approaches are implemented within the business.
• Contribute to Whole System thinking and energy plan development across electricity, heat, transport and the wider system.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Analytical thinking

Financial awareness

Organisational skills

Stakeholder management

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

MS Office

Job description

SP Energy Networks, Prenton Way, Prenton, Birkenhead. CH43 3ET (other working locations across our Licence areas will be considered)

Salary from £63,200

Permanent

Flexible Hybrid Working (Typically 2 days home-working, 3 office-based)

Expand or start your career in the energy sector

The electricity network was designed for a system in which power flowed in one direction and demand followed predictable patterns. Electric vehicles, heat pumps, solar, batteries and large new industrial loads are changing that, and the decisions about how the network adapts are being taken now.

We are looking for ambitious people who are driven to make a difference and who want to shape how that change is delivered.

Experience in the energy sector is not required. What matters is a track record of taking complex problems within a large organisation, establishing what needs to happen, and delivering through people who do not report to you. Whether you are looking to switch from energy markets, oil and gas or renewables, or bring transferable experience from project delivery, finance, policy, consulting or another regulated sector such as water, rail or telecoms, we would encourage you to apply.

Our team will support you with training, coaching and mentoring in this exciting and growing part of our business.

What you’ll be doing

You will be joining our Distribution System Operation (DSO) Strategic Projects and Optimisation team.

Our role is to get more capacity and value from the network we already have, and to ensure that what we build next reflects what customers and the wider system. We do this through technology, new commercial arrangements and improved approaches to planning, supporting customers and stakeholders on their Net Zero journey, enabling a Just Transition and delivering improved Whole System outcomes.

In this role you will lead the delivery of key strategic projects and support their implementation across SP Energy Networks. You will develop solutions to problems that arrive without a defined scope, where establishing the nature of the problem forms part of the work. You will also take responsibility for project reporting, producing analysis that supports decision-making and demonstrates project outcomes.

As a representative of SP Energy Networks, you will participate in industry working groups and forums where the technical, commercial and policy frameworks for the coming decade are being determined, helping to influence the direction of key developments across the sector. You will support business change programmes as new approaches are implemented within the business.

This role will also play an important part in shaping the future development of the energy sector through Whole System solutions and energy plan development. You will identify and evaluate opportunities to create value by considering electricity alongside heat, transport and the wider energy system rather than in isolation, while supporting our Strategic Optimisation team in their engagement with Local Authorities and local, regional and national government bodies on the development of energy plans.

In addition, you will help embed Whole System thinking across SP Energy Networks by supporting the development of the culture, systems, policies and processes required to deliver a more integrated and collaborative approach to energy planning and optimisation.

What you'll bring

We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds, and while knowledge of Energy Networks would be advantageous, it is not essential.

You will bring strong project management experience, with a proven ability to manage and deliver multiple projects and programmes of work simultaneously within a fast-paced environment, including evidence of progressing work where the constraints were organisational rather than technical.

You will have a high level of business planning capability, supported by strong financial awareness and strategic thinking skills, sufficient to develop a business case and defend it under scrutiny.

You will be an effective leader of change, capable of driving positive outcomes while fostering a culture of engagement, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, including the ability to construct an argument that holds up to challenge, alongside the ability to influence, persuade and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

You will demonstrate a high degree of emotional intelligence, including strong listening skills, tact, diplomacy and political awareness, allowing you to navigate complex situations with confidence and professionalism.

Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with advanced experience with the full suite of MS software including Excel, Word & PowerPoint.

You will be highly organised and able to prioritise effectively, managing a varied and demanding workload while maintaining a focus on quality and delivery.

What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy several other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%.

At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme
• Payroll giving and charity matched funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes
• Count us in – pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to ‘nudge’ financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the Northwest of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It’s a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we’re taking it very seriously. We’re investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to [e-mail].