Head of Network Design

The role will be expected to lead on customer connection discussions on and off site with major UK developers, consultants, and customers etc 

For this role we are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious person, with the ability to show a willingness to take ownership of issues and seek resolutions. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate strong managerial skills, a customer focused approach, an ability to drive performance across a team and deliver key strategic priorities as a member of the senior leadership team.

Key Accountabilities

• The Head of Network Design is primarily responsible for ensuring that customer designs (UIP, ICP, SLP or outsourced) are compliant to ESP design standards, network analysis and capacity requests and for collaborating with our customers and developers to ensure that ESP adopt safe, reliable, and efficient networks.
• The role will be responsible for leading a focused and efficient team, committed to ensuring design and network planning activities are completed to the highest possible standard, in line with ESPUG’s Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• The Head of Design will be responsible for ensuring that load and generation connection application requests are managed to required SLAs. This includes operating the network models to process large connection requests to HV and EHV networks and liaison with upstream DNOs, Gas POC/CSEP and water
• POC application processes.

ESPUG operates a three-tiered approach to assurance. The Head of Network Design will be responsible for the first line of assurance for all activities within the Design and Network planning teams remit. This includes design drawings management and asset data registration as part of the design verification process.

The following key responsibilities apply to the role:

• Lead a team of Design Support Engineers building quality relationships with direct reports; including completion of personal development plans etc.
• Ensuring compliance with design, construction and safety standards as appropriate within the Design Team across Electricity, Gas, Water, Heat.
• Liaison with customers and developers over network design proposals and issues to ensure compliance with ESP design and construction policies and standards.
• Verification of applications for connections on to the upstream operator’s network made by customers associated with asset adoption works.
• Manage applications made by other network operator’s or customers for connections on to ESP networks including evaluation of any network reinforcement requirements.
• Manage the relationship between ESP and all upstream parties for capacity and demand negotiations.
• Delivery of CAD designs and drawings where required.
• Identify Land Rights requirements according to ESP Policy. Collaborate with the ESP Land Rights Team.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support the delivery of a successful customer journey and offer insight to how the Design Team operates.
• Development of safety and risk assessment requirements required at the design and adoption stages of a project.
• Ensuring that the requirements of the ESPUG’s Health and Safety Policy are met.
• Ensuring that the requirements of the ESPUG’s Asset Management System are met.
• Participation in reviews and updates of the current operational procedures and technical standards.
• Working collaboratively with other teams across the organisation to deliver business objectives. (e.g. Commercial, Delivery Team (EV, Private Networks, Battery, Direct to Developer)
• Guarantee productivity within Design Team by ensuring effective productivity measures on in place and team members performance is managed appropriately.
• Act as escalation for complaints/complex queries and set the standard for delivering excellent customer service in the approach used to manage these promptly and professionally.
• Drive a focus on our operational strategic pillars across the Design Team by nurturing an understanding of how they link with day-to-day activities.
• Share regular presentations, management information and reports with senior management team and with wider business as appropriate.
• Develop and sustain team resilience by ensuring appropriate training (internal & external) is delivered, standard operating procedure documents are maintained and all workstreams are resourced in line with needs of SLAs.
• Lead an optimisation of processes across the team by driving a focus on continuous improvement ensuring to prioritise improvements that will have the greatest impact on customers and team performance.

Person Specification

Key
E = Essential
D = Desirable

Should hold a degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent and be a member of the IET (preferably Chartered).
E Experience in a Leadership role with a strong focus on driving performance
E Experienced approach to problem solving
E Confident and professional communications skills
E Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft products
E A good understanding of CAD drawing.
E Electricity network design experience with the ability to use IT based design software.
E Clarity, accuracy, and attention to detail
E Capable of developing staff through training and performance planning
E Background within either the utilities or distribution industries
E An ability to adopt a wider perspective than the immediate bounds of the job description
E Experience producing management information and reports

D Experience of EHV (up to 132kV)
D An in-depth knowledge of electric network design
D knowledge of private networks
D Knowledge of battery storage connections

Location: Office based - Leatherhead, Surrey
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Salary: Competitive
Benefits: Pension Scheme Private Medical Insurance Life Assurance 24 days annual leave Exclusive Employee Discounts Family Friendly benefits: Enhanced maternity and paternity pay and paid time off when receiving fertility treatment. Volunteering day: one day a year fully paid.

Closing date: 10-06-2024

REF-213 986