Network Insights Manager

Network Insights Manager - 80669

This Network Insights Manager will report to the Head of DSO Network Strategy and will work within the DSO based in our London office. You will be a permanent employee.

You will attract a salary depending on your skills qualifications and experience and a bonus of 10%. This role can also offer blended working after probationary period (6 months) - 3 days in the office and 2 remote

Close Date: 05/05/2025

We also provide the following additional benefits

• 25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays. 
• Reservist Leave – Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
• Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
• Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers’ products
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme

Context:

UK Power Networks has established the first independent Distribution System Operator (DSO) and is leading the way on facilitating decarbonisation through the use of innovation, smart technology and customer led flexibility.

UK Power Networks DSO was ranked first in year 1 of Ofgem's DSO Incentive, which measures the impact of DSO activities and customer satisfaction. Our aim is to lead industry, which means having a DSO management team that strives to improve and prides themselves on delivering excellent customer service.

Job Purpose

You will oversee the development, ownership, and delivery of UKPN's annual load analysis and forecasting for regulatory submissions and Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) which will signal to the industry and partners a range of future pathways for the growth of different technologies and the impact of these on distribution and transmission network capacity. Your role will include supporting the delivery of UKPN's RIIO-ED2 DSO commitments.

You will report to Head of DSO Network Strategy and you will lead a team of engineers and analysts to act as the point of reference and coordination internally and externally on all related issues., which will cover

• Deliver several UKPN's regulatory submissions and commitments, including the Long Term Development Statement (LTDS), the Planning Load Estimates (PLE), Week 24/50 and Network Development Plan submissions. You will ensure accurate submissions are made to the regulator, following our licence conditions and our needs
• Oversee the roll out and continued development of UKPN's Strategic Forecasting System (SFS) and assure the delivery of long term forecasts to inform efficient and economic network development across UKPN's three regions
• Work with the Local Net Zero team in the DSO to incorporate Local and Regional insights into the DFES and the PLEs. Likewise strong partnership is needed with the Asset Management department with whom there are key interdependencies

We ask that you understand all aspects relating to the electricity distribution system, regulatory requirements, and the ability to collaborate with all partners.

The Network Insights Manager will manage the delivery of UKPN's important regulatory submissions, and for providing insights on network development needs for DNO and DSO optioneering activities.

Principal Accountabilities

• Support the Head of DSO Network Strategy in developing and delivering the company strategy to enable UK Power Networks to become proactive and forward looking in facilitating the low carbon transition, whilst ensuring ongoing compliance with our regulatory commitments;
• Lead a team of engineers in establishing robust insights into future network needs, ensuring they are suitably engaged and motivated to achieve their full potential;
• Ensure that UKPN maintains compliance with its obligations under the Grid Code and its Distribution Licence. This will also involve leading on how UKPN complies with Ofgem's new LTDS requirements, which is requiring publication to a Common Information Model standard;
• Ensure that UKPN's forecasts incorporate latest government policy, ranging from Clean Power 2030 to regional decisions on heat networks;
• Lead on the delivery of UKPN's annual DFES;
• Lead on the delivery of associated regulatory commitments, including but not limited to the Long Term Development Statement (LTDS), the Planning Load Estimates (PLE), Week 24/50 submissions, Network Development Plan, LCT regulatory reporting and inputs to the Load Index (LI) submission;
• Lead on the development and delivery of UK Power Networks' Strategic Forecasting System (SFS), including management of the allocated budget;
• Support the RIIO-ED3 Business Plan by producing relevant network and forecast data alongside a commentary
• Collaborate with National Energy System Operator on matters associated with grid code compliance, future energy scenarios and whole system network development;
• Represent UK Power Networks at industry working groups (e.g. ENA, Grid Code) and external engagement that both increase UK Power Network's profile and influence outcomes;
• Analyse outputs from industry working groups and translate into action plans for internal implementation;
• Undertake continuous improvement activities with respect to network data and modelling tools/outputs. This will involve developing, and seeking approval of business cases to deliver identified improvements to key network development activities;
• Report the progress of activities, benefits achieved, new opportunities and new risks to senior and executive management.
• Understand common approaches to network development & future trends which will continue to shape the evolution of network planning in the next price control periods

Qualifications

Qualifications and experience

• Degree in Engineering/Science
• 5+ years of successful involvement in related work-streams

You should have knowledge of the following topics:

• A degree or equivalent experience in power systems engineering or other quantitative discipline;
• Experience working in the electricity networks business(es), preferably with an understanding of the relevant Distribution Code, Grid Code and CUSC requirements;
• Understanding of the GB energy system, including its structure, markets and expected developments;
• An in-depth understanding of the topology and operational characteristics of distribution networks, and a working knowledge of transmission network operation;
• Detailed knowledge of power system modelling packages, ideally experience with PowerFactory;
• Engage with multiple partners including experience working with senior stakeholders on material decisions;
• A high level of business, environmental, safety, financial, and regulatory awareness;
• Able to think 'out-of-the-box' and demonstrate 'big-picture' awareness;
• Strongly intuitive with a highly developed ability to recognise threats and opportunities and who can identify need for change and develop change initiatives;
• Demonstrate a high standard of quality and accuracy with the ability to anticipate and plan for changes and peaks in workload;
• Able to manage people, plans and budgets; and
• Experience with delivering net zero and supporting the energy transition, particularly decarbonisation of the power sector

You should have the following qualities:

• Good report writing skills - conveying complex issues simply on paper;
• Ability to communicate clearly and confidently at all levels of the organisation including presenting technical and financial arguments to internal and external audiences;
• Look for innovation and continuous improvement opportunities;
• Ability to engage with a wide range internal and external stakeholders
• Safety and environmental awareness.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

If in doubt ask!

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

If you have any queries in connection to this vacancy or your application, please contact us at careers@ukpowernetworks.co.uk quoting the vacancy reference number and a member of the team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.