Head of Corporate Affairs

Base Location: London, Reading, Glasgow, Perth, Dublin

Salary: Circa £120,000 - £151,400 + 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 Corporate Affairs, ECS (Energy Customer Solutions), acts as a key business partner to the Managing Director of Energy Customer Solutions, overseeing all external relations activity on behalf of SSE’s customer-facing businesses across GB and Ireland, as well as having ExCo level responsibility for Regulation.

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs, the role has a dotted line into the ECS MD, supporting them in their capacity as a member of the Group Executive Committee and acting as strategic communications and stakeholder engagement advisor, with the broader responsibilities that come with being part of the senior leadership team. Working closely with colleagues in the wider Group Corporate Affairs team, particularly the centralised policy and communications teams, the role holder is responsible for protecting and enhancing the reputation and interests of the business in the UK and Ireland through proactive media relations and stakeholder engagement.

You will

• Establish and develop relationships with key stakeholders across media, government and third sector organisations on behalf of SSE's customer-facing businesses in GB and Ireland.
• Lead cross-ECS workstreams as directed by the MD, acting as executive sponsor in areas beyond the core Corporate Affairs remit.
• Effectively advocate to ensure that SSE’s and customers’ interests are protected and enhanced in the development and implementation of government policy, working with Regulation colleagues to ensure a joined up approach.
• Take responsibility for protecting and enhancing the reputation the Airtricity, Business Energy and Distributed Energy businesses, through reactive media handling and crisis management and proactive corporate communications and, where appropriate, consumer PR.
• Work with Strategy and Investor Relations to develop and deploy a compelling investor narrative on behalf of ECS.

You have

• Excellent communication skills with demonstrable experience of advising and operating at senior executive committee level.
• A strategic outlook with the ability to translate complex information to a wide range of internal and external audiences.
• Ability to develop project or team plans which establish objectives for others, set timetables, allocate accountabilities and co-ordinate resources.
• The means to effectively lead and co-ordinate a matrixed team, with the ability to prioritise and time-manage effectively.
• Knowledge of energy and related issues (such as politics, strategy and sustainability) as they affect the SSE group and business unit, in both the UK and Ireland.

About SSE

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're investing £33bn over the next five years in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future. Our investment will see us build the world's largest offshore wind farm and transform the grid to deliver greener electricity to millions.

The race to net zero is intensifying for businesses of all sizes. Sustainable decisions made today can meet customers' changing needs for tomorrow and bring long-term success for businesses. Part of SSE plc, the UK and Ireland's largest renewable electricity generator, SSE Energy Solutions is different as all its renewable electricity is sourced from SSE's own UK wind and hydro assets.

In addition to providing gas and electricity to businesses across the UK, SSE Energy Solutions invests in, builds and connects localised flexible infrastructure to drive the long-term performance of energy assets. SSE Energy Solutions works with its customers to deliver financially robust plans to bring flexibility and diversity to their energy infrastructure - the low-carbon solutions they need to succeed in the race to net zero.

Our Corporate Affairs, Regulation & Strategy (CARS) teams play a vital role in sharing SSE's strategy and achievements with our employees, communities, media, governments, investors and more. They advise our teams on complex political and regulatory changes, and influence industry stakeholders to drive positive change.

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 Kimberlee.Anderson@sse.com / 01738 341 523 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.

Ready to apply?

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.

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