Connections Lead
Reference: 978625
Location: North-West, UK
Type: Permanent, full-time, hybrid
Sector: Energy-Tech
Description
Our client is a national BESS and flexible power leader. They are building high-performance energy and hardware architecture designed to power the next generation of critical energy infrastructure. As their project portfolio evolves from development towards construction and operation, grid connection is central to our Client’s strategy. They seek an experienced Connections Lead to own grid connection strategy, delivery and risk across their high-quality renewable energy and energy storage UK portfolio. This is a broad, senior role combining technical grid expertise, development, commercial awareness, stakeholder management and strategic thinking. The successful candidate will help identify and assess new development and M&A opportunities, manage existing connection agreements and milestones, navigate evolving NESO and DNO processes, and ensure projects have credible, deliverable and commercially attractive connection solutions.
The Role
The Connections Lead will manage the full lifecycle of grid connections, from early-stage site identification and M&A due diligence through connection offer, Gate 2, detailed design, construction and energisation. Acting as an internal authority on connection matters, you will advise on technical, commercial and programme implications and ensure grid risk is understood when projects are acquired, developed or progressed.
This is not an administration role. Our Client is looking for someone who can identify opportunities, challenge network proposals, manage risk, influence outcomes and use a strong understanding of the grid to shape development strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Grid Strategy & Portfolio Management
Own connection strategies across the portfolio and manage activities from site identification and feasibility through offer, contracting, design, construction and energisation.
Maintain a portfolio-wide view of capacity, constraints, connection dates, costs, milestones, dependencies, technical risks and opportunities.
Identify opportunities to improve connection dates, capacity, configuration, technical solutions and project value.
Provide concise reporting to senior management and maintain effective connection governance, processes and records.
M&A, Development & Pipeline
Lead grid connection due diligence for acquisitions, partnerships, site purchases and new development opportunities.
Assess connection agreements and offers, including capacity, queue position, point of connection, connection dates, reinforcement, technical conditions and deliverability.
Challenge assumptions around connection dates, costs, curtailment, reinforcement and network capacity; identify red flags and value-enhancing opportunities.
Provide technical input to site selection and project screening, prioritising opportunities based on connection quality, timing, deliverability, complexity and strategic value.
Support investment and development decisions with clear, commercially relevant connection assessments and recommendations.
NESO, Gate 2 & Industry Reform
Maintain a strong understanding of NESO, Ofgem, DNO/TNO and wider UK electricity connections developments.
Monitor Gate 2, queue reform and transmission/distribution processes, including eligibility, milestones, securities, programme and contractual requirements.
Assess the impact of reform on individual projects and the wider portfolio and translate complex changes into clear commercial and project implications.
Proactively identify emerging regulatory and industry risks and opportunities and ensure project teams understand relevant requirements and deadlines.
Connection Offers, Milestones & Commercial Management
Manage connection offers, agreements and associated documentation, with robust oversight of payments, securities, liabilities and contractual obligations.
Maintain a comprehensive milestone tracker covering payments, acceptance deadlines, submissions, securities and programme dates.
Identify exposure arising from missed milestones, changes in connection arrangements or network delays and work with Finance, Commercial and Project teams to manage commitments.
Support negotiations on connection costs, programme changes, liabilities and technical requirements and maintain a clear audit trail.
Network & Stakeholder Management
Develop strong working relationships with DNOs, TNOs, NESO, consultants, engineering firms, contractors and other network stakeholders.
Act as a senior point of contact and coordinate technical workshops, negotiations and issue resolution.
Constructively challenge network companies and consultants where solutions, assumptions, costs or programme requirements are not optimal, using sound engineering judgement and evidence.
Escalate unresolved technical or commercial issues appropriately while protecting the Client’s interests and maintaining productive long-term relationships.
Procure and manage external grid consultants and technical advisers, defining scope, deliverables, programme and budget and holding them accountable for quality and delivery.
Technical & Electrical Engineering
Provide technical input into renewable energy and battery storage projects and support the transition from connection offer to detailed design and construction.
Review single-line diagrams, protection and metering arrangements, plant specifications, G99 applications, grid studies, fault levels and power quality requirements.
Understand the interaction between generation, battery storage, transformers, HV equipment, protection systems and the wider network.
Review and challenge technical studies and connection assumptions prepared by consultants and network companies, identifying design issues early.
Ensure connection requirements are reflected in project specifications, contractor scopes and design decisions, with technical support through procurement, construction and commissioning where required.
Internal Collaboration & Reporting
Work closely with Development, Engineering, Planning, Commercial, Finance, Project Management, the Connections Manager and senior leadership.
Translate technical connection issues into clear commercial, programme and investment implications.
Provide concise reporting on connection status, milestones, costs, risks and opportunities and contribute to investment papers and board reporting.
Maintain accurate connection databases and project records, develop internal processes and standards, and share knowledge to build internal grid capability.
Key Deliverables
A clear connection strategy for every project and a robust portfolio-wide view of programme, risk and opportunity.
A comprehensive milestone, payment and contractual obligation tracker.
Accurate records of connection agreements, offers, studies and technical submissions.
A consistent framework for assessing grid opportunities entering the development and M&A pipeline.
Regular reporting on connection programme, costs, risks and key decisions.
A forward-looking assessment of NESO, DNO and regulatory changes affecting the portfolio.
Strong relationships with network companies and advisers and consistent technical due diligence across new opportunities.
Key Requirements
Skills & Experience
Essential:
Significant experience in UK electricity grid connections, power systems, renewable energy development or a DNO/TNO/NESO environment.
Strong understanding of UK transmission and distribution networks, with demonstrable experience managing connection applications, offers and agreements.
Strong understanding of G99 and generation/storage connection requirements, plus experience interpreting technical studies, network requirements and electrical documentation.
Experience dealing directly with DNOs and/or transmission network companies and understanding the evolving connections reform and Gate 2 processes.
Experience managing connection programmes, milestones and contractual obligations, with strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
Commercial awareness of how grid connections affect project value, programme and deliverability, with the ability to challenge constructively and manage competing priorities.
Desirable
Experience within a renewable energy developer, IPP, investment platform or energy storage business; or previous DNO, TNO, NESO or grid consultancy experience.
Experience in M&A, technical due diligence or project acquisitions.
Electrical engineering qualification or equivalent practical experience, with HV, renewable generation and/or BESS experience.
Understanding of protection, fault levels, power quality, system studies, transmission/distribution interfaces and connection cost or reinforcement assessment.
Familiarity with power system modelling/grid study software and experience managing external engineering or grid consultants.
Personal Attributes
Technically credible and able to understand and challenge complex grid and electrical engineering issues.
Commercially minded, with an understanding that technically feasible connections must also work from a project and investment perspective.
Proactive, strategic and pragmatic, identifying risks and opportunities early and making sound decisions with incomplete information.
Constructively challenging and relationship focused, able to influence network companies and external stakeholders while maintaining trust.
Organised and self-motivated, able to manage multiple connection agreements, milestones, payments and deadlines autonomously.
Collaborative and a clear communicator, able to turn complex technical matters into concise recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
Due to current workloads, Simpson Booth regrets to inform that in the instance you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of your application, you are to consider your application unsuccessful at this time.