Senior Connections Associate

Job Description

With plans to see SP Energy Networks (SPEN), part of the ScottishPower Group, look to invest over £5bn in transmission projects across our transmission network in central and southern Scotland by 2030, the Transmission Commercial team will play a key role in supporting SPEN to work at pace to deliver the transmission network that is required to support ambitions Scottish and UK Government 2030 and Net Zero targets.

Working collaboratively with the Transmission Connections Manager, you will primarily be focused on delivering upon our journey to Net Zero, at a time of important structural reform across the industry, by managing the key interface with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and our current and future customers for transmission connection agreements across SPEN's transmission network.

The role involves managing SPEN's Transmission Connections application and offer process according to licence and industry code obligations, whilst delivering on customer and business needs. This involves significant customer interaction and proven contract and commercial management skills to manage and strengthen the tripartite relationship between SP Transmission, connection applicants and the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

What you'll be doing

This role will have full responsibility for:

• Preparing all Connection offers, incorporating technical design, as well as managing and negotiating commercial terms for bespoke contracts / agreements and managing the key interfaces with our customers.
• Ensuring timely and quality Transmission connection offers are prepared and submitted to meet business obligations and customer expectations.
• Supporting the Transmission Connections Manager to ensure that customer expectations are met or exceeded, licence obligations are fulfilled, commercial performance is maximised, and business risk is minimised.
• Contributing to various incentive mechanisms within our Transmission licence, particularly our customer satisfaction inventive.
• Proactively addressing commercial issues related to Transmission connection offers.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across various parts of SPEN's Transmission business from design to delivery functions in preparing Connection offers.
• Providing information, analysis and recommendations to the SPEN Executive Team and senior management, as required.
• Providing management and regulatory reporting as required in respect of the Transmission connection process and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Undertaking terminations, final sums and special project work as required from time to time.

What you'll bring

We're looking for someone with knowledge or experience in areas like business, economics, engineering, policy, law, or other analytical or commercial roles. You should be able to explain commercial ideas in a simple and clear way, both in writing and when speaking, to people with different levels of understanding.

It would be useful if you've been involved in negotiating or agreeing contract terms before, either in the energy industry or in a similar commercial setting.

As a Senior Connections Associate, you'll have strong people skills, good communication, and the ability to negotiate effectively. You should be comfortable tackling tricky problems, working with others to find solutions, and helping reach a shared agreement when views differ. Creative thinking is a plus.

You'll also work closely with external suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders, so being able to build relationships, collaborate, influence, and negotiate is important.

Knowledge of commercial policy in regulated utilities, connections processes, or industry codes (such as STC or CUSC) would be helpful, but it isn't essential.

As a minimum, you will need to demonstrate:

• A qualification in Engineering, Accountancy, Finance, Economics, Legal, or another related discipline.
• An understanding of, or the ability to quickly learn, the regulatory and commercial environment of the energy sector.
• A proven track record of delivering outcomes in a commercial or regulatory environment.
• Strong influencing, presentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with a range of stakeholders.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Project management skills, with experience coordinating tasks, managing deadlines and supporting successful delivery.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills (desirable).

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 Schemes
• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
• Technology Vouchers - save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases
• Electric Vehicle Schemes - to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans
• Healthcare benefit options including: 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 Distribution 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 2045. And we're taking it very seriously. We're investing >£5.5 billion into our Distribution 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.