About the Role

Base Location: Flexible UK | We're proud to offer a Flexible First approach to work, and this role is no exception. We will, however need your base 'home' location to be one of our SSEN offices or depots around the UK.

Salary: £47,600 - £71,600 + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

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

As we chart our course to net-zero, the way we use energy is changing. The engineering, environmental and economic challenges that we all face mean that society needs innovative solutions, like renewable energy, electric vehicles, heat networks, community energy and energy storage plus the systems to make these solutions deliverable.

This change is altering the role of electrical networks, and at SSEN Distribution, the Whole System Development team are instrumental in building the strategic plans for our networks; looking at a 5-year to 2050 horizon. The Whole System team drive the strategic network investment that will facilitate net-zero targets. Through stakeholder engagement we provide information to help inform stakeholder decision-making and use stakeholder data to help shape our future network investments decisions. The Whole System Development team make critical decisions that will positively impact the way our network operates in the future by building evidence, through stakeholder engagement, to fully justify the need to undertake strategic investment.

In this role your key responsibilities will be:

- Stakeholder Engagement: Drive targeted engagement with Local Authorities to support their Local Area Energy Plans. Engaging and influencing internal and external stakeholders across all levels; promoting whole system as a real source of benefits that can improve distribution networks and wider industry.

- Strategic Investment: Using stakeholder information and the DFES to understand the impact on the SSEN network, identify areas where asset capacity is forecast to be exceeded. Understand the potential impact of overloading assets, gather evidence to support the findings, review potential solutions and unlock RIIO-ED2 uncertainty mechanism expenditure to mitigate the overload and prepare engineering justification paper for RIIO-ED3 investment.

- Decision making transparency: Develop and own the Distribution Network Options Assessment (DNOA) methodology which ensures we are acting as a neutral market facilitator and providing transparent decisions on when to use flexibility. Work with System Planning and Flexibility teams to deliver associated DNOA Output Reports and provide associated communications to stakeholders.

- Licence Conditions: Develop, support and publish publicly available data for the Whole System Coordination Register and the Network Development Plans (NDP). Using stakeholder engagement records and specific projects undertaken by SSEN, capture and present all works where SSEN are driving Whole System activities. As part of the NDP, review overloaded assets identified by the modelling team, propose solutions to mitigate the overload and provide a written update to the NDP.

What do I need?

As a Strategic Development Engineer, you must have a good understanding of how distribution networks work, how third parties interact and impact our network, and can take technical information and clearly communicate it to stakeholders that may have limited or no knowledge of our industry.

Key skills that we are looking for:

- Minimum HNC or STEM Degree or equivalent with relevant industry experience.

- Working knowledge of UK electricity networks and a good understanding of interactions with other utilities.

- Experience of managing stakeholder relationships, positively influencing stakeholders and engaging with them confidently.

- Accomplished communicator, both written and spoken, including the ability to present complex information to a range of informed and uninformed audiences.

- Excellent reporting capabilities for both internal and external purposes.

About our Business

SSEN Distribution powers 3.9 million homes and businesses in communities across central southern England and the north of Scotland. Our team of more than 4,200 highly skilled people keep customers connected to a safe and reliable supply of electricity whilst developing the flexible networks that are vital for the future. We power communities to thrive today and create a net-zero tomorrow. Why not join us and help power change, we're looking for great people who love working with others to achieve great results. You'll be empowered to make the right decisions for our customers and have the space to take accountability for the work you do. You'll be working as part of a bigger team, enabling net-zero, so team work will be essential. As a part of our business, you become part of something bigger – an established company with a reputation for looking after our people, offering secure and rewarding roles where safety is our number one priority.

What's in it for you?

We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.

As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for 'Inclusion & Diversity at SSE' to find out more.

What happens now?

All applications should be made online, and I'll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome.

If you would like to discuss any working flexibly requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact stacey.watson@sse.com / 01738 342529.

Before commencing your role with SSE, you'll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.

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