Operations Manager; Highlands

Base Location

For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Inverness offices (Inverness, Moray, Caithness and Sutherland) and you’ll be expected to spend a minimum of 50% of your working week in the office or supporting site activities.

£68,100 - £102,100 + car allowance + operations disturbance allowance + performance‑related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

As Operations Manager (AC), you’ll manage a team of highly skilled operational field engineers responsible for delivering some of the most critical assets on the electricity transmission network in the North of Scotland. You’ll provide technical and safety leadership across all AC assets, whilst playing a critical role in the delivery of Large Capital Projects ensuring safe, reliable operation of the network as we build the grid for net zero.

• Ensure safe, secure and compliant operation of the SSEN Transmission network, maintaining adherence to statutory, regulatory and Operational Safety Rule requirements, including safety documentation, switching, risk controls and positive safety management.
• Lead and develop a team of specialist operational engineers, setting clear direction, standards and expectations.
• Manage resources, contractors, authorisations, succession planning, training, mentoring, performance and welfare for specialist operational and engineering teams.
• Lead the Operations Capital Delivery Units and act as the key choice maker within operations for complex capital delivery activities. Support major capital infrastructure delivery by providing operational input to design, safety, operability, commissioning, decommissioning, contractor quality, STCP requirements, lifecycle reviews and final energisation readiness.
• Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including operations, engineering, project and planning teams, with the ability to co‑coordinate emergency response arrangements when required.

• Significant experience managing large multidisciplinary, operational and contractor teams within a high‑hazard, regulated transmission, utilities or comparable infrastructure environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of transmission operations, network assets, outage management and operational interfaces, with experience delivering safe and reliable network performance.
• Proven capability to support and resolve complex engineering and operational challenges, supported by excellent analytical and technical skills, with an ability to influence decisions at senior levels.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and build credibility across operational teams, business functions, contractors and external partners.
• A values‑led management style, with a strong commitment to safety, continuous improvement, people development and the delivery of high‑performing operational outcomes.

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 £33 bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

SSEN Transmission owns and operates 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.

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.

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive.