Power Systems/ HV Director- North in Glasgow

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists. Our success is founded on understanding our clients' needs, combined with the application of leading-edge technology and proven management excellence. Established in 1946, Arup has over 19,000 employees based in more than 90 offices across 38 countries. Its unique structure, with the firm held in trust on behalf of its employees, gives us complete independence. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective where individuality is encouraged to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that helps shape the UK’s net zero transition, leading and delivering critical power systems projects across offshore transmission, network upgrades and digital transformation, while building a thriving team and capability in the North.

The Opportunity: Arup has a unique offering in the energy sector, and we are taking a leading role in shaping future energy markets through our work with government and industry across sectors and energy vectors. Our influential role is underpinned by multidisciplinary skills in engineering, technology & innovation, regulation & policy, economics & commercial, planning & environmental, and project delivery.

Arup’s North Energy Water Resources (EWR) Group is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy to support the UK’s energy industry in delivering a net zero carbon economy, while building a hub of expertise in Pumped Storage Hydro, Industrial Decarbonisation & Hydrogen, Future Energy Systems, Regulated Utilities, and Offshore Energy. With the continued expansion of our Energy business, we are looking for a recognised industry leader to accelerate the growth of our Power Systems and HV Design capability in the North.

You will build a diverse team and lead delivery of strategic, influential multi-disciplinary projects, providing high-value technical expertise from pre-FEED through to start-up for public and private sector clients across the UK energy market. Based across Arup's North region (Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Stockton-on-Tees, York, Whitehaven, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool), you will be closely networked with Arup's national power systems teams and have access to a breadth and depth of specialist expertise. You will work alongside energy leaders, experts and specialists across Arup to help shape and deliver some of the most important power systems projects in the UK.

Client & Market Leadership

• Build meaningful, deep relationships with a small number of key strategic clients across the North and wider UK.
• Coordinate the pursuit of opportunities and liaise with senior leadership in relation to development of the wider Power Systems and HV business across the UK.
• Represent Arup as a project director and/or power systems expert in client-facing roles, leading delivery across a diverse portfolio of projects.
• Lead client engagement and relationship management, project creation, identification of opportunities and preparation of high-quality winning bids.

Technical & Project Leadership

• Lead all aspects of execution of power systems analyses for transmission and industrial network planning, including grid interconnection studies of large generation, storage and load resources.
• Engage with clients to progress successful grid connection requests, highlighting technical risks and commercial implications.
• Support integration of power electronic devices, renewable generation, storage devices and HVDC into AC grids.
• Lead all aspects of the design of HV upgrades and grid connections for large generation projects including offshore and onshore wind, pumped storage hydro, solar and different forms of energy storage.

Leadership & Team Growth

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-value technical outcomes, from conceptual studies through to project execution.
• As a senior member of the North EWR Group, support the Group Leader to drive an ambitious growth strategy, with an expectation to deliver £2m+ business per annum within 24 months, and £4m+ within 5 years.
• Advance our energy offering by recruiting, developing and growing a team based in Glasgow and ultimately the other North offices.
• Embrace a holistic approach and integrate closely with the wider regional energy teams and Arup's national power systems community.

Key Focus Areas

• Offshore transmission and the North Sea: accelerate development of significant offshore transmission, working with onshore transmission operators and private investment entities such as OFTOs to meet challenging timelines.
• Grid upgrades: support substantial network investment to connect offshore wind and onshore renewables to 2030 and beyond, exploring innovative solutions to unlock capacity.
• Digital transformation: help clients respond to rapid digitisation of electricity networks, including flexibility-first solutions, data infrastructure and new approaches driven by regulation and accelerated low-carbon connections.

Is This Role Right for You?

We are looking for an experienced power systems / HV leader with a strong technical foundation and a track record of building teams, shaping markets and delivering complex, high-profile projects. You will combine technical excellence with commercial acumen and client engagement to help grow Arup's Power Systems and HV business in the North.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Detailed technical knowledge of power systems and HV technologies across markets encompassing a wide range of generation types.
• A close, established network of industry contacts (investors, utilities, government, developers and infrastructure owners) and proven ability to secure workload through meaningful client relationships.
• Project delivery and leadership of complex multidisciplinary projects to the highest quality.
• Commercial management and an ability to develop compelling technical and commercial propositions.
• Depth of knowledge of UK energy regulatory frameworks, including legislation, policy, incentives and funding structures influencing mature and emerging sectors.
• Strong understanding and experience in transmission and distribution system planning and operating studies, and power system performance analyses.
• Deep understanding of grid connection procedures and grid codes, including modelling and study work; proven experience working with ISOs/TSOs, utilities and developers; and sophisticated knowledge of high voltage applications, industrial power supply concepts, power electronics, HVDC and FACTS.
• Extensive experience in power system simulation software and successful delivery of complex multi-disciplinary projects through excellent leadership and communication.
• Demonstrable experience in the design of EHV (400kV-132kV) electrical systems including primary plant, secondary plant, overhead lines or cables including protection and control systems and earthing, and related codes and standards.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in a relevant engineering or closely related subject (or other relevant post-graduate qualification).
• Chartered status with the IET (or other equivalent institution).

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact sarah-x.graham@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.