Central Programmes Manager

Job Description

At SP Energy Networks, we're investing in the future of the electricity network to support net zero, enhance resilience and deliver exceptional service to the communities we serve.

We're looking for an experienced and strategic Central Programmes Manager to lead a multi-disciplinary team responsible for programme governance, compliance and assurance, quality and environmental performance, strategic contract management and maintenance programmes across the SP Manweb licence area.

This is a high-profile leadership role offering the opportunity to influence business strategy, drive operational excellence and ensure our network continues to perform safely, efficiently and sustainably as we deliver our ED2 commitments and prepare for ED3.

What You'll Be Doing

As Central Programmes Manager, you'll provide strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of critical activities, ensuring the successful delivery of business objectives while maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance and performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic oversight of programme delivery, ensuring strong governance, financial control, resource optimisation and effective risk management.
• Leading and developing teams responsible for Quality, Environmental Management, Compliance, Testing, Contract Management, Maintenance and Assurance activities.
• Driving compliance and asset stewardship programmes to enhance network reliability, resilience, safety and regulatory performance.
• Leading the development, procurement and governance of strategic contracts and supplier partnerships that deliver long-term value.
• Championing quality, sustainability and environmental excellence, ensuring compliance with licence obligations and regulatory requirements.
• Establishing and embedding effective governance, assurance and risk management frameworks across all areas of accountability.
• Identifying opportunities to leverage digitalisation, automation and data-driven insights to improve performance and decision making.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support collaborative and successful delivery.
• Promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring safety principles remain at the heart of all programmes, projects and operational activities.
• Driving asset stewardship and long-term network planning through sound engineering judgement and strategic thinking.
• Leading the delivery of the SPM Environment, Sustainability and Quality Audit programmes.
• Developing organisational capability through workforce planning, succession planning, talent development and performance leadership.
• Creating a high-performing culture that encourages accountability, innovation, continuous improvement and professional growth.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a confident and influential leader with a strong track record of delivering complex programmes and developing high-performing teams.

You'll bring:

• A strong understanding of programme governance, compliance and regulatory requirements within a complex operational environment.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing teams to deliver outstanding business performance.
• The ability to influence, engage and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels across the organisation.
• Experience managing large-scale projects, programmes or operational portfolios, with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes.
• Strong commercial, engineering and financial judgement, with the ability to balance priorities and make informed decisions.
• A passion for continuous improvement and leveraging innovation to drive business performance.

What You'll Need

• An engineering, technical or professional qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant experience in programme management, operational leadership or a related senior leadership role.
• Experience within network operations, construction, utilities or a comparable infrastructure environment.
• A demonstrable track record of leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience using business systems, reporting and data analysis tools.
• Experience managing key stakeholder relationships across complex programmes, projects or business functions.

What's in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy several other benefits. With our pension scheme, we'll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. At Scottish Power, 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
• Business mileage claimed at £0.45/mile upto 10,000 miles, £0.25 thereafter.
• 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 'nudge' 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 heavily into our transmission and distributions 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.