Head of External Engagement

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen, or Inverness.

Salary: £78,400 - £117,600 + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

As Head of External Engagement, you’ll be at the heart of SSEN Transmission’s growth journey. A key member of the Transmission Extended Leadership Team, you’ll set the strategic direction for how we engage with stakeholders across a £20bn+ investment portfolio, from project consenting to community benefit. Working in partnership with Corporate Affairs teams, you’ll secure critical support for our infrastructure ambitions, and ensure our stakeholders feel heard, informed, and valued. You’ll take the lead in developing other leaders, creating a high-performing culture where individuals are empowered to step up, grow, and deliver at pace.

This is your chance to lead ambitious delivery, influence decisions at the highest level and make a visible impact. You’ll gain exposure to complex challenges and high-profile work that offers the opportunity to expand your leadership and progress your career within SSEN Transmission, all while helping deliver economic growth, support thriving communities, and build the network for a net-zero future.

You will

• Lead the strategy and delivery of stakeholder engagement for SSEN Transmission’s large capital project consenting and delivery and the SSEN Transmission business plan, ensuring alignment with wider organisational goals and regulatory expectations.
• Build and lead an end-to-end stakeholder engagement framework that simplifies and strengthens relationships with our most critical partners, from landowners and community groups to industry and government.
• Champion a performance driven culture, where continuous improvement and innovation in engagement practices drive better outcomes for both the business and our stakeholders.
• Take responsibility for strategic budget planning and financial oversight for the department, managing significant budgets in excess of £100m to deliver effective engagement and social value outcomes.
• Coach and lead a high performing team of leaders, investing in their development and fostering a culture of inclusion, challenge, and excellence.

You have

• Proven experience of developing and delivering stakeholder engagement strategies across a broad landscape, ideally within a regulated, infrastructure or capital project environment.
• A strong track record of leading successful teams, with the ability to coach, support and develop leaders to achieve strategic goals.
• Experience of influencing change and delivering transformation in a complex organisation, with the courage to challenge established ways of working.
• An understanding of, or exposure to, governance processes within a similar regulatory environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the judgement and political awareness to manage senior level relationships and reputational risk effectively.

About SSE

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all – we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown energy for the future and building a network for net zero to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact [email protected] / 01738 351671 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

Ready to apply?

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.

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