Head of Onshore Development

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen, or Inverness

Salary: £101,000 - £151,400 + car/car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

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

What is the Role?

SSEN Transmission is recruiting for a Head of Onshore Development. This senior leadership role within SSEN Transmission’s Development Directorate reports directly to the Director of Project Development and will be pivotal in delivering SSEN Transmission’s ambitious growth plans to 2030 and beyond.

You will

• Lead and inspire the Onshore Development team to deliver a portfolio of complex projects, including High Voltage AC overhead line and substation schemes, connection projects, and asset replacement programmes, through the early development and refinement stages.
• Shape and contribute to SSEN Transmission’s project development strategy and business planning, ensuring the organisation has the technical, commercial, and onshore project development expertise to deliver its RIIO T3 and future business plans.
• Act as a trusted partner and focal point for engagement with senior stakeholders, including UK and Scottish Governments, Ofgem, statutory consultees, consenting bodies, local communities, landowners, and supply chain partners.
• Provide leadership in developing and implementing innovative approaches, structures, and resources that enable safe, efficient, and high quality project development, ensuring robust governance, risk, and financial management.
• Represent SSEN Transmission across the energy industry, contributing to the development of policy, reform, and best practice to enable the UK’s Net Zero and energy security goals.

You have

• Significant experience in the development and execution of large and complex infrastructure projects within the energy sector.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with a track record of building, motivating, and developing high-performing teams in a fast-changing environment, ensuring excellence in performance, safety, quality, and capability development.
• A strong understanding of the regulated utilities environment, including Ofgem’s price control framework, investment cases, and funding mechanisms.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, with proven success in influencing and collaborating with diverse stakeholders at executive and governmental level.
• Technical knowledge and expertise across infrastructure project delivery, including CDM regulations, technical design requirements, system planning, strategic optioneering, and delivery using NEC3 contracts, or similar.

About SSE

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all – we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown energy for the future and building a network for net zero to create secure power for generations to come.

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 louise.markwick@sse.com / 01738 351671 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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