Sustainability Specialist

Job Description

At SP Energy Networks our focus is on harnessing technology and innovation to create the networks of the future. Our team is building a dynamic network to meet the changing demands for electricity and increasingly, renewable electricity - safely, securely and sustainably in the communities we serve.

At SP Energy Networks, we know people are central to building a better future, quicker and we are seeking new talent to join our team.

What you'll be doing

Act as a subject matter expert on key sustainability topics, supporting the development and delivery of the SP Energy Networks Sustainability Strategy and Distribution and Transmission Business Plans. The role leads the coordination and delivery of either the Biodiversity or Waste & Circular Economy agenda, managing projects, initiatives, and management systems to ensure SPEN meets its environmental, social, and economic sustainability commitments.

• Support the Sustainability Lead in delivering and tracking the Sustainability Strategy and associated commitments across Distribution and Transmission Business Plans.
• Maintain end-to-end oversight of actions within your specialist area, ensuring progress against milestones and targets. This includes leading activity, coordinating inputs from others, identifying risks, slippage or gaps, and proposing corrective actions to the SPEN executive team.
• Act as a recognised subject matter expert, providing authoritative technical advice and insight to senior leaders.
• Monitor emerging sustainability issues, policy and best practice, translating these into practical, value-led plans and interventions for the business.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring stakeholder and regulatory perspectives inform investment and operational decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with Transmission and Distribution teams to embed sustainability outcomes into business-as-usual activities.
• Co-develop clear, measurable sustainability targets, goals and delivery plans for your specialist area, ensuring alignment with regulatory, stakeholder and organisational expectations.
• Lead the production of robust monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for your areas of responsibility.
• Develop and promote clear, engaging sustainability communications and key messages, both internally and externally.
• Respond to consultations relevant to your areas of specialism, representing SP Energy Networks' position and interests.
• Support the development of a long-term sustainability and environmental responsibility culture, embedding responsible business practices across Energy Networks activities.
• Work closely with operational, investment, licence and corporate teams, including designing and delivering appropriate training, awareness and coaching.
• Actively contribute to and support the wider sustainability agenda through participation in internal and external working groups.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of sector developments, regulation and best practice within your specialist area.
• Lead standing and ad-hoc working groups on sustainability issues as required.
• Collaborate with colleagues across SP and Iberdrola to support wider group sustainability objectives.

What You'll Bring

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline, or significant directly relevant professional experience.
• Postgraduate qualification or professional certification in sustainability, environmental management or business management.
• Strong technical expertise and practical experience in one or more sustainability specialisms, specifically Biodiversity or Waste & Circular Economy.
• Knowledge of sustainability challenges and requirements affecting critical infrastructure and/or electricity network operators.
• In-depth understanding of current and emerging sustainability legislation, policy and industry best practice.
• Proven experience delivering complex projects and/or strategies on time and within budget.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering cross-business activity, working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with evidence of achieving positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical capability, with a rigorous approach to data management and performance reporting.
• Membership of IEMA and/or Chartered Environmentalist or actively working towards.

Minimum Criteria

• Degree-level qualification, preferably in an environmental discipline, and/or significant directly relevant experience within the sustainability sector.
• Strong sector and technical knowledge, with demonstrable expertise in one or more sustainability topics outlined in the role description.

What's in it for you

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 company contribution of 10%.

At ScottishPower, we believe it's the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family's wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action - our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world - today and tomorrow. That's why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday purchase - perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme
• Payroll giving and charity matched funding
• Technology Vouchers - save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes
• Count us in - pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change
• Electric Vehicle Schemes - to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world's largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network - connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It's a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland's ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we're taking it very seriously. We're investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you'll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to [email protected].

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.