Programme Director - Operational Improvement Hub

SSE PLC; Reading, Perth, Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discount

Gym membership discount

Online GP

Counselling service

Cycle to Work

Tech/Transport loans

Parental leave

Job summary

SSE plc is seeking an exceptional enterprise leader to establish and head the Operations Improvement Hub, a strategic capability driving transformation across SSE Business Energy. You will guide executives to challenge current ways of working, unlock productivity and shape the future operating model.

This high-impact role requires senior influence, cross-functional collaboration and a focus on measurable commercial outcomes and customer value.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large-scale transformation, operating model redesign or strategic business change programmes.
• Proven track record delivering productivity improvements, cost efficiencies and measurable outcomes.
• Experience shaping cross-functional improvements across operations, technology, customer journeys, org design and service delivery.
• Strong commercial/financial acumen with ability to develop investment cases and benefits realization.
• Influential leadership with experience engaging executive stakeholders and driving through complexity.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Operations Improvement Hub, setting strategic direction and governance.
• Identify opportunities to simplify operations and unlock productivity and customer value.
• Architect future operating models integrating customer, process, people, tech and data.
• Build business cases and investment recommendations for executive decisions.
• Align senior leaders to deliver sustainable benefits and long-term value.

Skills

Transformation leadership

Change management

Cross-functional

Executive engagement

Strategic thinking

Job description

Base Location

You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations Reading, Perth or Cardiff

Salary

Competitive + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern

12-month secondment or 12-month Fixed Term Contract | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

We're looking for an exceptional enterprise leader to establish and lead our new Operations Improvement Hub; a strategic capability responsible for identifying, shaping and enabling transformational improvement across SSE Business Energy.

This is a high-impact leadership role, working directly with executive and senior leaders to challenge current ways of working, unlock productivity, simplify operations and shape the future operating model of the business. Combining customer, people, process, technology and data insights, you'll drive measurable business value while ensuring we continue to deliver excellent outcomes for our customers and colleagues.

What you'll be doing

• Establish and lead the Operations Improvement Hub, setting the strategic direction, governance and priorities for enterprise-wide business improvement and operating model transformation.
• Identify and prioritise opportunities to simplify operations, remove unnecessary work and unlock productivity, efficiency, and customer value across SSE Business Energy.
• Act as the lead architect for future operating models, bringing together customer, process, people, technology, data and automation opportunities into cohesive, scalable solutions.
• Build compelling, evidence-based business cases and investment recommendations that support executive decision-making and deliver measurable commercial outcomes.
• Influence and align senior leaders across the business, providing challenge, insight and strategic leadership to ensure sustainable delivery of benefits and long-term value creation.

What we're looking for

• Significant experience leading large-scale transformation, operating model redesign or strategic business change programmes within a complex organisation.
• A proven track record of delivering substantial productivity improvements, cost efficiencies and measurable business outcomes through enterprise-wide change.
• Experience shaping and implementing cross-functional improvements spanning operations, technology, customer journeys, organisational design and service delivery.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to develop investment cases, evaluate opportunities and drive benefits realisation.
• An influential and credible leadership style, with experience engaging executive stakeholders, creating alignment across competing priorities and leading through complexity and change.

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.

SSE Energy Solutions support UK organisations by delivering energy and low-carbon energy solutions. These include EV hubs, solar systems, smart technologies, and heating and cooling networks. We power the clean energy transition by helping customers cut carbon and costs, and by building and investing in flexible electricity infrastructure.

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 344072 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.