Head of HVDC Operations

Head of HVDC Operations Location: Eurocentral office base (with hybrid working), regular travel to sites across Scotland also required. Salary: from £82,400 - £103,000 + annual bonus (up to 30%) + car allowance (£450 per month) + family private medical cover. Permanent | Full-time – 37 hours per week Closing date: 13th September 2026 Help us create a better future, quicker! The energy landscape is changing at pace, and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology is playing a critical role in delivering the UK's transition to Net Zero. At SP Energy Networks, we're investing at an unprecedented scale to build, operate and maintain the infrastructure that will connect renewable energy to homes and businesses for generations to come. We're now seeking a Head of HVDC Operations to provide strategic leadership across our growing HVDC portfolio. Reporting to the Transmission Operations Director, this newly created leadership role will oversee the operational performance, future readiness and long-term strategy for some of the UK's most significant electricity transmission assets, including Western Link and Eastern Green Link projects, while shaping the future operating model for forthcoming HVDC developments. This is a rare opportunity to lead a function responsible for multi-billion-pound critical national infrastructure assets that sit at the heart of the UK's future energy system. What You'll Be Doing As Head of HVDC Operations, you'll provide strategic direction and leadership for SP Transmission's HVDC Operations function, ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of existing assets whilst developing the capability, organisational structure and operational frameworks required to support future growth. You'll: Define and deliver the long-term strategic vision for HVDC Operations, ensuring capability, resources and operational frameworks are aligned with future network requirements. Lead the operational readiness and integration of Eastern Green Link 1 whilst supporting planning considerations for future HVDC developments, including EGL4 and future Western Link projects. Provide executive leadership across a portfolio of HVDC converter stations, cable systems and associated infrastructure. Drive industry-leading standards in safety, operational excellence, asset management, physical security and cyber resilience. Hold accountability for operational performance, availability and reliability across the HVDC portfolio, ensuring strategic assets continue to support the UK's energy transition. Lead financial and contractual governance across significant operational and maintenance programmes. Develop long-term asset health and investment strategies to maintain system resilience and performance. Build, lead and develop a high-performing specialist team capable of supporting an expanding HVDC asset portfolio. Act as the senior escalation point for all HVDC operational matters, providing leadership during critical incidents and major events. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including NESO, National Grid, Ofgem, contractors, OEMs and industry partners. Collaborate with senior leaders across Operations, Engineering, Asset Management and Major Projects to shape the future of transmission operations. What You'll Bring We're looking for a strategic senior leader with strong engineering credibility, extensive HVDC experience and a proven track record of leading critical infrastructure operations. You'll have: A degree qualification (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a related engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status desirable. Extensive experience in the management and operation of HVDC converter stations and associated transmission assets, with a strong understanding of HVDC technologies, systems, risks and performance drivers. Demonstrable experience leading the operational strategy, maintenance, performance and asset management of complex converter station environments. Significant senior leadership experience within an operational, engineering or asset-intensive environment. Extensive experience managing complex, high-value infrastructure assets, major operational contracts and associated regulatory obligations. Strong understanding of the commercial, regulatory and financial framework within the electricity transmission sector. Experience leading organisational growth, transformation and capability development within a specialist engineering function. Proven ability to develop and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams whilst fostering a strong safety and performance culture. Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience operating at senior executive, regulatory and industry level. Strong risk management expertise, including the management of operational, physical and cyber risks associated with critical national infrastructure. The ability to develop long-term strategic plans and successfully translate them into operational delivery and business outcomes. 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 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 2045. And we’re taking it very seriously. 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. I MPORTANT Advert will close at 23:59 GMT the day before Job Posting End Date below September-13-2026