Head of Network System Access

Base

Location:

Perth with the opportunity to occasionally work from other locations

Salary: 87, + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern:
Permanent  | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The roleSSEN Transmission is at the heart of the transition to a low-carbon energy system. As our network grows significantly in scale and complexity, securing and coordinating access to the transmission system will be critical to delivering that growth safely and successfully.

We are looking for a Head of Network System Access to lead the planning, coordination and management of network access across the north of Scotland, from long-term project and outage planning through to commissioning and real-time operational requirements.

This is a highly influential senior leadership role, responsible for helping enable delivery of SSEN Transmission's significant capital investment programme while protecting the safety, security, reliability and integrity of the transmission network. The position has responsibility for securing network access for a transmission business plan exceeding 30bn and for planning system security and network access across multiple operational timescales.

Working closely with project teams, the Transmission Control Centre, NESO and industry partners, you'll ensure investment, maintenance, connections and commissioning activity can be delivered through a coordinated and operable network access plan.

Key accountabilities include:

Leading SSEN Transmission's Network Access and outage planning activities, coordinating requirements across projects, construction, commissioning, maintenance and connections while maintaining acceptable levels of system security.

Developing an integrated approach to network access across multiple planning horizons, ensuring outage requirements are identified early enough to influence project design, sequencing and delivery

Providing senior operational leadership and assurance over outage and commissioning activity, with authority to challenge or delay activity where network safety or security cannot be adequately maintained.

Working closely with NESO, other Transmission Owners, OFTOs, Distribution Network Operators, generators and Transmission Users to develop coordinated outage arrangements and support safe operation of the wider GB electricity system.

Balancing competing requirements for network access, system security, construction delivery and customer needs, ensuring the long-term interests of SSEN Transmission, the north of Scotland and the wider GB network are appropriately considered.

Leading and developing the Network Access function, ensuring the right people, capability, training, processes and operational tools are in place as the scale of the network and investment programme grows.

Driving improvements in outage planning and operational strategy, including appropriate use of innovation to release network access while protecting connected generation and demand.

Providing leadership during significant network events, severe weather and electricity system restoration scenarios, including Silver Command responsibilities and direction of Bronze Command.

Representing SSEN Transmission with senior stakeholders and contributing to the development of wider industry operational policy and processes.

Ensuring network access strategies remain aligned with relevant regulatory, licence and industry requirements.

What do I need?

To be successful in this role, you'll bring significant experience within electricity transmission operations, system planning, network access or outage management, together with the leadership capability to operate effectively in a complex, safety-critical environment.

You'll also have:

A degree in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent professional experience, with Chartered Engineer status or experience operating at an equivalent professional level.

Significant experience in transmission system operation and management of the interface between Transmission Owners and the System Operator.

Strong knowledge of power system engineering, system operation, operational safety and network development.

A thorough understanding of relevant statutory, regulatory and licence requirements, including the Transmission Licence, Grid Code and STC framework.

Proven leadership capability, with experience of leading, coaching and developing technically skilled teams.

Strong analytical and decision-making…