SSE has big ambitions to be a leading energy company in a low carbon world. Following our commitment to invest £20.5 billion in low carbon projects to 2027, we have significant growth plans and are well on our way to achieving our ambition to build a world that's more sustainable and inclusive for you, your family, the community you live in and for generations to come.

Join us on our journey to net zero and help us power change.

About the Role

Base Location: Flexible, however our preference is that you will be based in one of our key UK or Ireland sites, which includes but is not limited to: - Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen, Inverness, Reading, Havant, Belfast or Dublin.

Salary: £63,000 - £94,400 + car/car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing, and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

Are you passionate about driving meaningful social and economic change? Do you thrive on leading a dynamic team dedicated to embedding sustainability principles into the very fabric of business operations? If so, SSE invites you to be our next Head of Social and Economic Sustainability, a pivotal role that goes beyond rhetoric to ensure real-world impact.

As the Head of Social and Economic Sustainability at SSE, you will lead a small yet dynamic team to define, support, and articulate the social and economic impact generated by our initiatives. Your mission is to ensure that our commitment to human rights, sustainability, and the Just Transition principles is not just a promise, but a reality embedded into SSE’s business activities. You’ll be the driving force behind our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, providing leadership to business leaders and their sustainability teams while coordinating with social impact sustainability leads across SSE. If you are ready to lead transformative change and make a lasting impact with SSE, we’d love to hear from you. As Head of Social and Economic Sustainability, reporting directly to the Chief Sustainability Officer, you will:

- Embed SSE’s Just Transition Strategy – you’ll be at the forefront of supporting a planned and orderly transition to net zero. You will monitor and track performance against our Just Transition Strategy, ensuring consistent implementation and providing quantifiable disclosures for stakeholder scrutiny.

- Promote Human Rights – you’ll take ownership of SSE’s Human Rights Policy, overseeing the Human Rights Working Group and the Human Rights Steering Group. Your collaboration across departments will identify and address human rights risks, and your team will produce our annual Modern Slavery and Human Rights Statement.

- Embed Sustainability in Large Capital Projects and the Supply Chain – you’ll work with internal colleagues to set and apply consistent sustainability standards in Large Capital Project development and delivery.

- Reporting and Disclosures - you’ll contribute significantly to our suite of annual disclosures, including the Annual Report, Sustainability Report, Talking Tax, Human Rights, and Modern Slavery Statement.

- Socio-economic impact - you’ll oversee the third-party production of the annual socio-economic impact assessment, alongside the financial results and support the businesses unit identify and articulate the economic impact of their investments in Scotland, Ireland, the UK and beyond.

- Advocacy – you’ll develop a stakeholder engagement strategy for Just Transition and Human Rights, representing SSE in sustainability forums, advocating for practical action and policy that enhance social value by SSE and the wider power sector.

What do I need?

If you're ready to take on a leadership role in social and economic change, and contribute to a net-zero future, SSE is the place for you. You’ll bring credibility in industry forums, with investors, and sustainability stakeholders, along with a passion for delivering high-quality sustainability leadership. To be considered for this role, we’d also love you to have:

- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and inspire action among colleagues, partners, and key stakeholders.

- Familiarity with international and national sustainability frameworks, disclosure requirements (including ESG strategies), and a comprehensive understanding of social sustainability in a corporate context.

- Education in an analytical discipline with excellent attention to detail and experience in corporate reporting.

- A broad understanding of the power sector in the UK or Ireland, including an understanding of decarbonisation pathways for the power sector and the social impacts associated.

- A patient and nurturing disposition for coaching and supporting direct reports and colleagues.

Watch this discussion hosted by SSE’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Rachel McEwen, about SSE’s commitment to people, communities, and the environment as we embark on just and fair transition to net zero.

About our Business

SSE's business strategy places addressing the challenge of climate change at the very core of what we do - that's why we have deliberately decided to link long-term business goals to the UN's global goals for sustainable development. Our Sustainability Teams work across the group and externally with investors, competitors, governments, partners, suppliers, and communities providing advice, support and challenge in order to help SSE's businesses success and contribute to this strategy.

What's in it for you?

We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.

As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for 'Inclusion & Diversity at SSE' to find out more.

What happens now?

All applications should be made online, and I'll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome.

If you would like to discuss any working flexibly requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact louise.markwick@sse.com / 01738 351671.

Before commencing your role with SSE, you'll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.

#LI-LM3

#LI-Hybrid