Job description
As a Strategic Optimisation Manager, you'll play a key role in shaping the energy networks that will support the UK's transition to Net Zero. Joining our Distribution System Operation (DSO) Strategic Projects & Optimisations team, you'll lead a team responsible for helping local, regional and national stakeholders understand future energy requirements and develop plans that support decarbonisation, network growth and whole systems thinking.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader who enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, regulation, stakeholder engagement and energy planning. You'll influence decisions that shape future energy infrastructure while helping SP Energy Networks deliver better outcomes for customers, communities and stakeholders across our licence areas.
What you'll be doing
You'll lead a team delivering strategic energy planning and optimisation activities that support government organisations, local authorities and industry stakeholders on their Net Zero journeys. Working closely with internal and external partners, you'll provide network insights, support the development of long-term energy plans and help shape regional and national approaches to future energy requirements.
You'll oversee key DSO projects and regulatory initiatives, providing leadership across emerging technical and policy areas while ensuring high-quality reporting, analysis and stakeholder engagement. You'll also identify opportunities to improve network modelling, automation and optimisation capabilities, helping SP Energy Networks remain at the forefront of energy system development and innovation.
What you'll bring
We're looking for a strategic and forward-thinking leader with experience operating in a regulated environment and a strong understanding of electricity networks and energy planning.
You'll also bring:
- A degree in Engineering or an equivalent discipline / experience.
- Strong experience delivering projects and programmes within regulated industries.
- Knowledge of GB electricity network planning, operation and associated risks.
- Proven leadership and people management experience, with a passion for developing high-performing teams.
- Strong commercial awareness, strategic thinking and business planning capability.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and drive successful outcomes in a fast-changing environment.
- Strong analytical skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint capability.
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.
That's why our benefits include:
- 36 days annual leave
- Holiday Purchase
- Share Schemes
- Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
- Technology Vouchers
- Electric Vehicle Schemes
- 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 financial wellbeing support
- Shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts
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 throughout Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and the North West of England.
We're investing more than £5.5 billion in our transmission network to support the growth of renewable energy and help deliver a Net Zero future. With diverse opportunities across our business and a commitment to developing internal talent, we offer rewarding careers with real scope for growth and progression.
Inclusion, diversity and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they create a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve.
We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments during our recruitment process. If you need support, please contact [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.
Pay & benefits
About this role
About Scottish Power
Company Overview
ScottishPower Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iberdrola
HeadquartersGlasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Founded1990
SizeApproximately 5,000 employees (source: linkedin.com). Revenue figures for 2023 are not disclosed, but Iberdrola has committed £24 billion in UK investments by 2028, including through ScottishPower (source: energyadvicehub.org).
What They Do
ScottishPower is a vertically integrated energy company that operates as the distribution network operator for Central and Southern Scotland, Merseyside, North Wales, and parts of Cheshire and Shropshire. The company supplies electricity and gas to homes and businesses across the United Kingdom and generates power for the grid (source: wikipedia.org). Its core technology focus includes wind energy, solar power, grid upgrades, battery storage, and low-carbon hydrogen, having transitioned to generating 100% green electricity by divesting its coal and gas assets (source: wikipedia.org). ScottishPower's product offerings encompass renewable generation from 38 onshore wind farms and over 40 operational sites producing more than 3 GW of total capacity, alongside services like smart grids, EV charging, heat pumps, and solar solutions for businesses (source: scottishpower.co.uk). The company targets UK residential customers, commercial businesses, and wholesale energy trading, leveraging its position as part of Iberdrola, a world leader in wind energy (source: energybrokers.co.uk).
Projects & Track Record
ScottishPower has completed several notable projects, including the Whitelee onshore wind farm, which is Europe's largest at 539 MW, featuring 215 turbines and a 50 MW battery (source: wikipedia.org). The company also repowered Scotland's first commercial wind farm, Hagshaw Hill, which was brought back online in November 2025 to increase output and community benefits (source: scottishpowerrenewables.com). Ongoing major projects include the East Anglia ONE and East Anglia THREE offshore wind farms, as well as the Wikinger offshore project in the German Baltic Sea (source: cisco.com). ScottishPower Renewables manages Iberdrola's UK portfolio, which exceeds 2,000 MW from 40 wind farms, with plans for further solar and hydrogen expansion (source: windenergyireland.com).
Recent Developments
In recent years, ScottishPower secured £1.35 billion for seven grid upgrades, including subsea cables and substations, to enhance the transport of Scottish wind power southward (source: energyadvicehub.org). Iberdrola announced a significant £24 billion investment in the UK by 2028, focusing on renewables and grid resilience (source: energyadvicehub.org). Additionally, ScottishPower Renewables is set to invest nearly £3 billion in offshore and onshore wind and solar projects from 2023 to 2025 (source: cisco.com). In the hydrogen sector, Iberdrola launched a unit in September 2023, targeting 600 MW by 2025 and 5 GW by 2030, with ScottishPower's Green Hydrogen for Scotland project featuring a 10 MW electrolyser (source: energybrokers.co.uk).
Working There
ScottishPower offers a variety of roles across renewables development and operations, energy networks, generation, and support functions such as energy management and IT/security (source: scottishpowerrenewables.com). The company primarily hires at its Glasgow headquarters, with operations linked to UK-wide wind farms and offshore sites in East Anglia and the Southern North Sea (source: windenergyireland.com). Company culture emphasizes innovation in renewables and community engagement, as evidenced by initiatives like the MachairWind feedback phase and partnerships with local organizations (source: scottishpower.co.uk). While specific benefits are not detailed, the firm invests heavily in green initiatives and supports employee-driven net-zero transitions for business clients (source: scottishpower.com).
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