Senior Workforce Lead (Development)

Job Description

Are you ready to lead the way in shaping a smarter, safer and more sustainable energy future? We are growing our Workforce Renewal function to support SP Energy Networks (SPEN) to achieve network targets set by the Scottish and UK Government as part of our journey to Net Zero. Our focus is on harnessing technology and innovation to create the networks of the future. SPEN 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.

We are seeking Senior Workforce Leads (Development) to play a central role in shaping, developing, and supporting our future workforce across SP Energy Networks. These are high‑impact leadership roles that sit at the heart of our Workforce Renewal Strategic Plan.

You will directly lead a team of 6-8 Development Leads who are responsible for 50-60 trainees each; ensuring that all training, development and compliance requirements are met. You'll support high quality learning experiences, champion safeguarding and safety standards, and ensure consistency in trainee management across all programmes.

This role is vital to the success of the Workforce Renewal Strategic Plan, contributing to programme improvements, recruitment and onboarding processes, and the successful transition of trainees into permanent positions across the business. Working with People, Technical Training, business management teams and external educational partners.

You'll direct & support leads in ensuring trainees receive a consistent, safe and supportive learning environment and safety standard across all trainee programmes.

What you'll be doing

• Lead, coach and support Development Leads, ensuring clear expectations, strong performance and effective trainee management.
• Oversee trainee progression, performance reviews, KPI achievement and compliance with People policies.
• Manage escalations, resolve conflicts and maintain positive team engagement and communication
• Ensure all trainees and Leads receive appropriate safety and safeguarding training.
• Promote a safe and inclusive learning environment, addressing wellbeing issues promptly and effectively.
• Develop awareness of neurodiversity and tailor support to individual needs
• Contribute to programme reviews, development activities and feedback cycles.
• Identify opportunities to improve training quality, engagement and learner experience.
• Monitor programme milestones and ensure accurate record keeping meeting completion targets
• Maintain accurate trainee trackers and ensure readiness for recruitment cycles.
• Support the delivery of assessment centres, interviews and trainee inductions.
• Lead in wash up sessions to ensure the right candidates are selected.
• Build strong relationships with district management, training partners and People teams.
• Support resolution of trainee related issues and ensure adherence to HR processes.
• Ensure trainees meet authorisation and assessment requirements and that contract requests are completed accurately.

What you'll bring

• Strong people management skills, with experience leading managers or demonstrate clear potential in this area.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence, support and guide managers and trainees.
• Ability to inspire, motivate and coach others to achieve high standards.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled in building a positive team culture, resolving issues and leading diverse teams by adapting management style to different needs.
• Experience dealing with complex people challenges, escalations and performance management.
• Understanding and experience of HR policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of SP Energy Networks and trainee programmes (desirable).

To be successful, as a minimum you must demonstrate:

• Leadership experience in a fast paced, people focused environment.
• Ability to provide leadership, coaching and oversight to managers, with experience or potential to operate confidently at this level.
• Strong ability to understand and execute responsibilities for safeguarding, wellbeing and safety.
• Strong coaching, mentoring and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing ability.
• Experience managing conflicting goals and priorities.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Experience working in a reactive operational setting.
• High levels of organisation, planning and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.

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 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 >£10 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.