2025 apprentice and trainee opportunities now open! Apply now
Base Location: You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations {Please add all appropriate SSE sites}
Salary: £58,100 - £87,100 + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern: Fixed Term Contract or Secondment | Full Time | Flexible First options available
The role
The Distributed Energy Development and Delivery team are responsible for large capital projects from inception through to operational handover. We work closely with teams and businesses from across the group to develop projects which contribute to SSE's wider strategic ambitions.
As a Senior Project Development Manager, you'll bring expertise in project development, client interaction, and governance to help shape key projects as part of DE's focus on Data Centres. You'll use your judgement and experience to help shape projects, enhance commercial value, and encourage disciplined, high-quality collaboration across functions.
This is an important role where you will build relationships across functions, have responsibility for shaping projects, and support teams to ensure best practices. Your work will directly influence the successful development of projects enabling the delivery of Critical National Infrastructure, whilst contributing to SSE's commitment to a fair, secure, and sustainable net-zero future.
You will
Draw on your extensive experience in developing, governing, and delivering major infrastructure projects to help develop high-quality solutions for client needs which deliver against internal value requirements.
Work in partnership with colleagues across teams, contractors and Business Units to ensure projects are developed to the highest possible standards, whilst navigating the challenges to costs and timing that come with infrastructure development.
Use strong project development experience and a broad understanding of the utilities sector (including working in the public highway, the management of contractors, consenting, planning, and land matters) to ensure robust but pragmatic development to project execution stage, via client commitment and financial close.
Role-model inclusive leadership, bringing excellent communication skills to build rapport and collaborate across a diverse range of stakeholders including clients and senior leadership, and to positively influence outcomes across the project.
Deputise for the Project Director as required both internally and externally.
You have
Comprehensive experience of project development in the utilities sector, from early concept through detailed design and financial close. You will understand risk, quality, and project controls and know how to empower teams to contribute valuable insights that maximise project returns and outcomes.
A strong understanding of the challenges associated with developing large utility projects, such as contractor management, local authority engagement, client management, and internal governance.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence, challenge constructively, and hold others to account in a diverse and inclusive environment.
Strong hands-on experience with project management processes and systems, including contract and programme management processes, to ensure accuracy and consistency of project information.
Demonstrable experience developing high value projects to challenging timescales in a functional matrix environment.
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 plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.
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 zoe.gillespie@sse.com 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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