Senior Project Manager Opportunities in Reading

Base Location: Swindon, Oxford, Slough and Hayes (West London), Reading, Basingstoke, Southampton and Portsmouth, Andover, Axminster, Melksham, Yeovil, Bristol, Poole or Chickerell

Salary: £58,100 - £87,100 + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available | Majority of your working week will be spent in-person at office or site locations.

The role:

SSEN is seeking Senior Project Managers to join our team and support the Distribution ED2 price control period, delivering Net Zero-enabling projects through the upgrade and replacement of our electricity network. As part of the Large Capital Delivery team, the Senior Project Manager will lead multidisciplinary project teams in the design and execution of electrical infrastructure projects with individual project values up to £100M and will involve works across our main substation sites, and on our underground and overhead networks. This role is responsible for ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget, while meeting the evolving needs of our customers.

You will:

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customers by demonstrating professionalism and competence across all stages of project delivery.
• Ensure a robust and high-quality programme of works is established and actively maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• Effectively interpret and manage the programme to oversee critical path activities, coordinate workstreams, and track key material deliveries—ensuring good use of resources.
• Set up financial controls and measures that allow visibility of all project expenditure and enables easy interrogation of costs at any time.
• Lead, motivate, challenge and empower the team to achieve goals and milestones over the lifetime of the project.
• Support and clearly instruct team members to enable them to understand the importance their role plays in ensuring the success of the project and celebrate their achievements regularly.
• Lead through example by demonstrating outstanding behaviours in all aspects of the role and act as an ambassador for SSE SHE policies, values and culture both internally and externally.

You have:

• Experience of working in project design, delivery organisation with experience of portfolio and project management of capital infrastructure/engineering projects and the ability to drive delivery to program, cost and quality.
• Experience in risk management, with ability to clearly articulate key project delivery risks, with cause effect and consequence on project budget and programme.
• Exceptional leadership skills combined with previous experience of managing matrix, high performing teams.
• A solid understanding of various types of commercial contracts, including their advantages and limitations, with the ability to apply the most appropriate form to suit specific project needs.
• Experience of managing project stakeholders ensuring they are aligned with and adhere to agreed processes—such as communication protocols, response times and instructions to minimise delays and mitigate financial risk.

This role involves travel across various locations to support business needs. To enable you to fulfil these responsibilities, as a role requirement, the company will provide access to a vehicle for work-related travel. The requirement will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and if the company car policy criteria are met, there will be an opportunity to join the company car scheme. Provision of a company car or cash allowance does not form part of the contractual terms and conditions of employment for this role. A valid driving licence is essential.

About Our Business:

SSEN Distribution powers 3.9 million homes and businesses in communities across central southern England and the north of Scotland. Our team of more than 4,200 highly skilled people keep customers connected to a safe and reliable supply of electricity whilst developing the flexible networks that are vital for the future. We power communities to thrive today and create a net‑zero tomorrow.

Why not join us and help power change, we’re looking for great people who love working with others to achieve great results. You’ll be empowered to make the right decisions for our customers and have the space to take accountability for the work you do. You’ll be working as part of a bigger team, enabling net‑zero, so teamwork will be essential. As a part of our business, you become part of something bigger – an established company with a reputation for looking after our people, offering secure and rewarding roles where safety is our number one priority.

What’s in it for you?

We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.

As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for 'Inclusion & Diversity at SSE' to find out more.

What happens now?

All applications should be made online, and I’ll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome. Before commencing your role with SSE, you’ll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.