Director of Networks & Innovation

Director of Networks & Innovation (S202630)

12 Manse Rd, BT6 9RT
, Antrim, County Antrim, United Kingdom

Job Title: Director of Networks & Innovation

Reporting to: SONI Chief Executive

Contract: Permanent

Location: Belfast, with occasional travel

Applications are invited for the role of Director of Networks and Innovation. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Networks and Innovation will be responsible for providing 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. We make sure that every home, business, school, hospital, factory and farm has power – when and where they need it.

We have a critical role to play in delivering a cleaner, cheaper, more secure energy future for everyone living 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.

Our people are committed to reducing Northern Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and transforming the energy system to make decarbonisation a reality – while providing a safe and reliable electricity supply in a way that secures the future for those who follow us.

The work you will deliver with us here at SONI matters. Join a great and supportive team and be part of the transformation.

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 Networks & Innovation directorate is central to achieving the future ambitions of SONI on multiple levels. Within this context, the Director of Networks & Innovation is a substantial leadership role with a particular focus on the long‑term view and programme delivery, ensuring that SONI is future‑focused, developing and growing its position as a trusted adviser to regulators and government.

The role holder will be responsible for a number of business functions including Networks (Grid), Digital Innovation, Future Markets and Future Power Systems. The teams within this Directorate develop scenarios, options, and optimal pathways to ensure that SONI’s strategic ambitions are realised, future demand for clean electricity is met, whilst ensuring that the power system remains stable and reliable during the energy transition.

Networks Overview

The Director will manage the team responsible for planning the development of the high‑voltage transmission grid, bringing large‑scale infrastructure projects such as new power lines and substations from conception, feasibility through the planning system to the point of handover to NIE Networks for construction. The projects in SONI’s Transmission Development Plan represent in excess of £500 m capital investment over the next 10 years and are time‑critical to allow the flow of renewable energy as we undertake a once‑in‑a‑generation upgrade to Northern Ireland’s transmission system.

The team is also responsible for the connection of new generation, storage, system service, interconnection and demand customers to the transmission grid. SONI therefore plays a key role in enabling wider economic growth as well as decarbonisation of society. Close collaboration and engagement with stakeholders such as the Utility Regulator, NIE Networks, connecting customers, planning authorities, government and communities is a key feature of this role.

Future Power Systems Overview

The role holder will create vision and drive the change programme to transform the power system of the future, optimising current technologies such as energy storage, onshore wind and solar, evaluating and supporting the market entry of new technologies such as offshore wind and long‑duration energy…