Acting Head of Asset Planning in Reading

Base Location: Glasgow or Reading. You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of these locations.

Salary: £80,700 - £121,100 (depending on skills and experience) + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract | Full Time | Flexible First options available.

The role involves leading SSEN Distribution's Asset Planning function, shaping a data-led investment strategy that balances network risk, cost, performance, affordability and regulatory commitments while ensuring accurate asset data, effective systems and the timely delivery of work orders and thematic performance insights. You’ll lead a large, high-performing team and collaborate across Services, Networks, IT and regulatory stakeholders to drive digital transformation, continuous improvement and safe, efficient outcomes for customers and the electricity network.

• Shape long-term investment decisions by using data and insight to balance safety, risk, performance, cost and customer needs—giving you the opportunity to influence a major infrastructure programme.
• Lead and develop a large, diverse team, creating an inclusive environment where people can do their best work, build new skills and contribute ideas.
• Turn complex information into clear priorities, ensuring asset records are accurate, maintenance work is planned effectively and leaders have trusted evidence for decision-making.
• Drive digital improvement and business change, working with technology and operational teams to simplify processes, improve systems and deliver better outcomes for customers.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and with external stakeholders, using your leadership, commercial judgement and influencing skills.

You have:

• Significant leadership experience in asset planning, investment planning or a comparable infrastructure environment, with a strong understanding of how to balance risk, cost, performance, safety and customer needs.
• A proven ability to use data and analysis to make sound, evidence-based decisions, prioritise a large investment portfolio and explain complex recommendations clearly to senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Experience of leading large, multidisciplinary teams through change, with an inclusive leadership style that builds accountability, develops capability and creates a strong performance culture.
• A successful track record of improving data, systems and processes, including defining business requirements and working with technology teams to deliver practical digital solutions.
• Strong commercial judgement and influencing skills, with experience of managing budgets, working across organisational boundaries and delivering in a regulated or similarly complex environment.

About SSE: SSE’s purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers. Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030. SSEN Distribution, part of the wider SSE group, powers 3.9 million UK homes and businesses. Our team of more than 4,200 skilled engineers, customer service advisors and technical specialists keep customers connected to a safe, reliable supply of electricity while investing in and developing the flexible networks needed for our low carbon future.

Flexible benefits to fit your life include 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 laura.morrison@sse.com / 01738 341814 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.