Head of HVDC Operations

Head of HVDC Operations

Location:

Eurocentral office base (with hybrid working), regular travel to sites across Scotland also required. Salary: from £82,400 - £103,000 + annual bonus (up to 30%) + car allowance (£450 per month) + family private medical cover. Permanent | Full-time – 37 hours per week Closing date: 13th September 2026

As Head of HVDC Operations, you'll provide strategic direction and leadership for SP Transmission's HVDC Operations function, ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of existing assets whilst developing the capability, organisational structure and operational frameworks required to support future growth. You'll:

• Define and deliver the long-term strategic vision for HVDC Operations, ensuring capability, resources and operational frameworks are aligned with future network requirements.
• Lead the operational readiness and integration of Eastern Green Link 1 whilst supporting planning considerations for future HVDC developments, including EGL4 and future Western Link projects.
• Provide executive leadership across a portfolio of HVDC converter stations, cable systems and associated infrastructure.
• Drive industry-leading standards in safety, operational excellence, asset management, physical security and cyber resilience.
• Hold accountability for operational performance, availability and reliability across the HVDC portfolio, ensuring strategic assets continue to support the UK's energy transition.
• Lead financial and contractual governance across significant operational and maintenance programmes.
• Develop long-term asset health and investment strategies to maintain system resilience and performance.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing specialist team capable of supporting an expanding HVDC asset portfolio.
• Act as the senior escalation point for all HVDC operational matters, providing leadership during critical incidents and major events.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including NESO, National Grid, Ofgem, contractors, OEMs and industry partners.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across Operations, Engineering, Asset Management and Major Projects to shape the future of transmission operations.

We're looking for a strategic senior leader with strong engineering credibility, extensive HVDC experience and a proven track record of leading critical infrastructure operations. You'll have:

• A degree qualification (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a related engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status desirable.
• Extensive experience in the management and operation of HVDC converter stations and associated transmission assets, with a strong understanding of HVDC technologies, systems, risks and performance drivers.
• Demonstrable experience leading the operational strategy, maintenance, performance and asset management of complex converter station environments.
• Significant senior leadership experience within an operational, engineering or asset-intensive environment.
• Extensive experience managing complex, high-value infrastructure assets, major operational contracts and associated regulatory obligations.
• Strong understanding of the commercial, regulatory and financial framework within the electricity transmission sector.
• Experience leading organisational growth, transformation and capability development within a specialist engineering function.
• Proven ability to develop and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams whilst fostering a strong safety and performance culture.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience operating at senior executive, regulatory and industry level.
• Strong risk management expertise, including the management of operational, physical and cyber risks associated with critical national infrastructure.
• The ability to develop long-term strategic plans and successfully translate them into operational delivery and business outcomes.

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a…