Director of Networks & Innovation

Job Title: Director of Networks & Innovation

Reporting to: SONI Chief Executive

Contract: Permanent

Location: Belfast, with occasional travel

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Networks and Innovation will provide strategic leadership to vision, direct and drive a diverse portfolio of change programmes needed to realise SONI's vision and strategic objectives, and help further establish SONI’s trusted advisor status in the energy sector.

SONI is Northern Ireland's Transmission System Operator. We are the people behind Northern Ireland's electricity grid, ensuring every home, business, school, hospital, factory and farm has power when and where they need it. We play a critical role in delivering a cleaner, cheaper, more secure energy future for everyone in Northern Ireland. Our focus is on safety, security and reliability. Our work environment is challenging, fast‑moving, collaborative and team‑oriented.

Our culture is driven by continual development, knowledge and teamwork, and a commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and transforming the energy system to meet decarbonisation targets while maintaining a safe and reliable supply.

The Director of Networks & Innovation will lead the programme of visioning and delivering a power system for the future – a once‑in‑a‑generation transformation of Northern Ireland's high‑voltage transmission grid and the development of world‑leading operating technology and electricity markets. The directorate is central to achieving SONI’s future ambitions on multiple levels. The role holder will manage several business functions, including Networks (Grid), Digital Innovation, Future Markets, and Future Power Systems.

Teams develop scenarios, options and optimal pathways to ensure SONI’s strategic ambitions are realised and future demand for clean electricity is met while keeping the system stable and reliable during the energy transition.

• Networks Overview: Manage planning and development of the high‑voltage transmission grid, oversee large‑scale infrastructure projects such as new power lines and substations, and ensure connection of new generation, storage, system service, interconnection and demand customers to the grid.
• Future Power Systems Overview: Create vision and drive change programmes to transform the power system, optimise current technologies (energy storage, onshore wind, solar), evaluate and support market entry of new technologies (offshore wind, long‑duration storage), and lead evidence‑based assessment of cost‑effective renewables‑based power systems.
• Future Markets Overview: Lead the evolution of the energy market, develop market structures and policies aligned with Northern Ireland’s clean energy goals, and collaborate with Eir Grid and regulatory authorities on cross‑island arrangements.
• Digital Innovation Overview: Vision the digital future of the organisation, develop relevant strategies, and deliver technology and IT systems to support a next‑generation corporate IT platform and power system IT evolution.

• Oversee successful delivery of all areas of Networks & Innovation.
• Build, lead and motivate teams to achieve operational excellence and deliver infrastructure and change programmes at pace.
• Embrace change, developing network, innovation, market and digital solutions to make a real difference.
• Future‑proof the delivery of a resilient, efficient, affordable, and secure transmission system for Northern Ireland.
• Bring together a range of innovation, networks, digitalisation programmes and services to support systems operations and workforce transformation challenges.
• Build a centre of excellence attracting a diverse range of subject‑matter experts.
• Provide strategic thought leadership around capacity and adequacy needs of the power system.
• Proactively contribute to the overall development of SONI’s strategic vision.
• Create, implement, assess and improve directorate business plans, strategies, processes and procedures.
• Sustain and grow a dynamic, enabling work environment and positive company culture.
• Collaborate and coordinate closely with the SONI Leadership Team to drive…