Head of Socio-economic

Overview

Base

Location:

For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness.

Salary: £Competitive + 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

SSEN Transmission is investing around £29bn in critical grid infrastructure to support the UK’s energy security and net zero transition. As Head of Socio-economic Benefit, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring these investments deliver lasting value for communities, stakeholders, and society. From managing upwards of £100m in community benefit funds to delivering housing legacy across the North of Scotland, this is a career-defining opportunity to lead at the intersection of infrastructure, sustainability, and social impact.

• Lead the development and delivery of SSEN Transmission’s socio-economic benefit strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory frameworks and stakeholder expectations.
• Oversee the management of Community Benefit Funds and Housing Legacy investments for 1000 permanent homes, ensuring transparent governance and full cost recovery.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government, local authorities, housing associations, housing developers and community organisations.
• Champion heritage and community wealth-building initiatives, ensuring measurable impact and alignment with SSE Group values.
• Provide expert leadership to a multi-disciplinary team, driving performance, innovation, and collaboration across the business.

• Degree level qualification or equivalent, with a passion for delivering meaningful legacy benefits and driving positive change.
• Proven experience in the energy sector, community development, or socio-economic investment, with strong knowledge of sustainability and regulated business environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with a track record of shaping policy and securing strategic outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen, including budget management, contract negotiation, and regulatory funding recovery.
• Inspirational leadership with the ability to manage complex programmes and develop high-performing teams.

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

SSEN Transmission own and operate 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. Please contact shirley-anne.o  / to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.