Sherrington are the retained search partner for the Energy Networks Association (ENA) in their search for a new Engineering Technical Lead to chair key industry working groups on behalf of their members.
Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association represents the companies which operate the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland. They help their members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably. Their members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Grid which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Their affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail.
The world is at a major inflexion point and the way we consume energy is changing forever. In the United Kingdom, over 30 million homes and businesses are connected to the electricity networks and over 22 million are connected to the gas networks. As we move towards a net-zero future, ENA and their member organisations are creating the world’s first zero carbon gas grid and using data and technology to create a smart grid that will enable more electricity to be produced sustainably.
The energy industry employs around 45,000 people in the UK and Ireland, including 36,000 in Great Britain. Millions of kilometres of cables and pipes deliver electricity and gas to more than 30 million homes and businesses and ENA's members are spending and investing billions of pounds upgrading, maintaining and preparing the networks so they can continue to deliver a safe, sustainable and reliable energy system in the future.
Engineering Technical Lead
We are seeking a highly motivated person to join ENA's Innovation & Electricity Systems team providing support for ENA’s member companies. The role will support the Director of Innovation & Electricity Systems and Head of Engineering in facilitating and leading industry working groups assigned to manage and develop protection, power quality, earthing and tele- communications policy for application on the UK Transmission and Distribution Electricity Networks.
The role also exists to provide a facilitating link between the industry working groups and delivery of Transmission and Distribution industry technical standards and specifications relating to industry, best practices and technical requirements required to comply with UK H&S legislation. The role requires high levels of competence of collaborating and engaging with senior industry members, industry technical specialists, industry stakeholders, national regulators, government departments and other industry related bodies/organisations.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities:
General
- Provide technical support to ENA members to address specific engineering and technical issues.
- Act as the ENA principle point of contact for all protection and automation, power quality and operational telecommunications network equipment / asset related issues and enquiries.
- Collaborate with other technical departments, for example Innovation, to ensure these technical areas (protection, PQ, etc) are appropriately considered when new technologies are introduced onto the Networks (e.g.: EVs)
- Manage and develop ENA technical standards.
- Set up groups and work programmes and deliver projects to evaluate technical issues raised by the wider industry in the context of the electrical networks and work with members to provide collaborative solutions.
- Chairing or providing technical secretariat to electrical and telecommunications network issue specific working groups as required.
- Represent the electricity network industry at national and international meetings and workshops.
Strategic Telecommunications
- Co-ordinate Strategic Telecommunications Group (STG) work programme and outputs including technical development of operational telecommunications networks and spectrum use strategy, with support from Resilience Lead for resilience related issues.
- Work with government, regulator and stakeholders to understand the interdependencies between power and telecommunications networks.
- Develop documentation to support lobbying positions on changes impacting operational telecommunications networks.
Cyber Security
- To support the ENA Cyber Security Task Group and ENA member companies in managing the administrative, engineering and technical aspects of cyber security issues arising from the development and deployment of extensive ICT infrastructure.
- Work with government departments (BEIS, NCSC) to develop and publish industry guidance and policy.
Earthing
To support the ENA Earthing Coordination Group (ECG) and other industry stakeholders by facilitating ECG projects, managing engineering and technical aspects of their legal and licence obligations in the area of power system earthing.
Power Quality
- To support the ENA Power Quality (PQ) and Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) workgroup in its aim of actively assisting Member Companies in managing the engineering and technical aspects of their legal and licence obligations in the areas of PQ and EMC.
- Actively review and develop potential changes to UK statutory voltages.
- Identify developments in areas of PQ and EMC that could potentially impact on members.
- Report and provide assistance to the PQ and EMC workgroup as required in the areas of PQ and EMC.
Street Works
- To support the ENA Street Works Group in managing street works and Traffic Management Act issues while promoting external awareness of street works issues in support of ENA member companies.
Person Specification:
Professional Experience
- Strong track record in an engineering role – preferably in the electricity industry
- Has a strong understanding of the operating landscape across UK electricity networks
- Worked in a consultative / problem-solving technical role engaging with senior-level stakeholders on complex issues affecting operational delivery
- A broad knowledge and understanding of the subject matter within the specific technical Working Groups (namely: Strategic Telecommunications, Cyber Security, Earthing, Power Quality, Street Works). The candidate does not need to be a specialist in all / or any of these areas, but should possess broad knowledge applicable to all.
- Further education in a relevant engineering discipline is essential
- Post graduate studies in business is desirable but not essential
- Chartered membership of a professional engineering body is desirable
- Confident and articulate, able to chair Working Groups of senior stakeholders
- Curious, enquiring, supportive and responsive, eager to solve challenging technical industry-wide issues and problems
- Takes a systems approach to solving complex problems and challenges
- Collaborative – both internally and externally
- Strong diplomacy, able to mediate divergent opinions to achieve a productive output
- Operates with the highest levels of professional and personal integrity
Technical Knowledge
- A broad knowledge and understanding of the subject matter within the specific technical Working Groups (namely: Strategic Telecommunications, Cyber Security, Earthing, Power Quality, Street Works). The candidate does not need to be a specialist in all / or any of these areas, but should possess broad knowledge applicable to all.
Qualifications
- Further education in a relevant engineering discipline is essential
- Post graduate studies in business is desirable but not essential
- Chartered membership of a professional engineering body is desirable
Character
- Confident and articulate, able to chair Working Groups of senior stakeholders
- Curious, enquiring, supportive and responsive, eager to solve challenging technical industry-wide issues and problems
- Takes a systems approach to solving complex problems and challenges
- Collaborative – both internally and externally
- Strong diplomacy, able to mediate divergent opinions to achieve a productive output
- Operates with the highest levels of professional and personal integrity
To Apply...
To learn more about this opportunity please email your CV in confidence to the retained search partner quoting Job Ref - RM366:
joe.onions@sherringtonassociates.co.uk
