Job Title: Director of Network & Innovation
Reporting to: SONI Chief Executive
Contract: Permanent
Location: Belfast, with occasional travel
Applications are invited for the role of
Director of Networks and Innovation.
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Networks and Innovation will be responsible for providing strategic leadership to vision, direct and drive a diverse portfolio of change programmes needed to realise SONI’s vision and strategic objectives and help to further establish SONI’s trusted advisor status in the energy sector.
1. About SONI
SONI is Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator. We are the people behind Northern Ireland’s electricity grid. We make sure that every home, business, school, hospital, factory and farm has power - when and where they need it.
And that’s just the beginning of our story. We have a critical role to play in delivering a cleaner, cheaper more secure energy future for everyone living in Northern Ireland.
Our focus is on safety, security and reliability. Our work environment is challenging, fast-moving, collaborative and team orientated. Our culture is driven by continual development, knowledge and teamwork.
Our people are committed to reducing Northern Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and transforming the energy system to make decarbonisation a reality – while providing a safe and reliable electricity supply in a way that secures the future for those who follow us.
The work you will deliver with us here at SONI matters. Join a great and supportive team and be part of the transformation.
2. Role Profile
The Director of Networks & Innovation will lead the programme of visioning and delivering a power system for the future; a once in a generation transformation of Northern Ireland’s high voltage transmission grid and the development of world leading operating technology and electricity markets.
The Networks & Innovation directorate is central to achieving the future ambitions of SONI on multiple levels. Within this context, the Director of Networks & Innovation is a substantial leadership role with a particular focus on the long-term view and programme delivery, ensuring that SONI is future focused, developing and growing its position as a trusted advisor to regulators and government.
The role holder will be responsible for a number of business functions including Networks (Grid), Digital Innovation, Future Markets and Future Power Systems. The teams within this Directorate develop scenarios, options, and optimum pathways to ensure that SONI’s strategic ambitions are realised, future demand for clean electricity is met, whilst at the same time ensuring that the power system remains stable and reliable during the energy transition.
Networks Overview
The Director of Networks & Innovation will manage the team responsible for planning the development of the high voltage transmission grid, bringing large scale infrastructure projects such as new power lines and subsations from conception, feasibility through the planning system to the point of handover to NIE Networks for construction. The projects in SONI's Tranmission Development Plan represent in excess of £500m capital investment over the next 10 years and are time critical to allow the flow of renewable energy as we undertake a once-in-a-generation upgrade to Northern Ireland’s transmission system.
The team is also responsible for the connection of new generation, storage, system service, interconnection and demand customers to the transmission grid. SONI therefore plays a key role in enabling wider economic growth as well as decarbonisation of society. Close collaboration and engagement with stakeholders such as the Utility Regulator, NIE Networks, connecting customers, planning authorities, government and communities is a key feature of this role.
Future Power Systems Overview
The role holder will create vision and drive the change programme to transform the power system of the future, optimising current technologies such as energy storage, onshore wind and solar, evaluate and support the market entry of new technologies such as offshore wind and long duration energy storage and lead the evidence-based assessment and identification of the optimum solutions and pathways to a cost-effective renewables-based power system, supported by gas fired generation as the cleanest form of fossil fuel.
Working closely with the Operations Directorate, the role holder will lead the implementation of the operational policy roadmap to develop and deliver a power system for the future that can support up to 100% renewables on an instantaneous basis, providing strategic insights and analysis on all capacity related activities such as the volume setting process for capacity auctions, winter outlook analysis, renewable auctions, and governance.
The role holder will have an understanding of system services in supporting a renewables-based power system, thus ensuring power system resilience is not compromised in any way. They will lead the process implementing the next generation of system services, both from a technical and market perspective, that best international experience and knowhow is leveraged, that strong governance is applied in the development of these services, engaging market participants and the securing buy-in from all stakeholders including the Utility Regulator.
They are also responsible for ensuring the ongoing development and publication of the National Resource Adequacy Assessment, flexibility needs assessments and longer-term planning via Tomorrow Energy Scenarios, the Transmission Development Plan, and the Transmission Forecast Statement. In addition, the future arrangements for a Transmission System Operator - Distribution System Operator model will be developed and implemented.
The directorate is responsible for building relationships and partnerships with research institutions and academic organisations to ensure Northern Ireland is at the forefront in the integration of innovative technologies to assist in achieving zero carbon by 2050 and to provide research and modelling into how we can achieve our future targets.
Future Markets Overview
The role holder will lead on sponsoring the evolution of the energy market with the Future Power Markets function driving the development of market structures and policies aligned with Northern Ireland’s clean energy goals. Close collaboration with colleagues in EirGrid and the Regulatory Authorities will be required in the joint delivery of a significant multi-million-pound programme of change for the all-island electricity market arrangements. These multi-year, cross-functional programmes translate national and EU energy policy into actionable, measurable outcomes.
As part of this, the role holder will work closely with colleagues in Operations to ensure the organisation is prepared for the changes being brought about by future policy changes in terms of people, process and systems, and will also ensure that any other future regulatory and/or legal changes brought about are impact assessed, defined, and then implemented in the most efficient manner.
Digital Innovation Overview
A power system transformation of this scale and complexity cannot be achieved without world leading operating technology, data, digital and IT systems. The Directorate will vision the digital future of the organisation, develop the relevant strategies and cost effectively deliver the technology and systems to realise the future vision. The directorate will lead on designing, building and safely transitioning to our next generation corporate IT platform and power system IT evolution leaning on internal expertise and external partners.
Working through Heads of Functions, the role holder is responsible for daily decision making across all elements of Networks; Digital Innovation, Future Markets and Future Power Systems ensuring strategic alignment across the teams including business plan management and engagement with stakeholders in Europe, GB, Ireland and Northern Ireland, external advisors, as well as the SONI Communications & Engagement team.
As a senior leader, the role-holder will support SONI’s business continuity programme, providing strong support for all activities necessary to enable the organisation to manage any crisis event related to the SONI business.
What you get to do in this role:
- Oversee the successful delivery of all areas of Networks & Innovation including Networks; Digital & Innovation, Future Markets & Future Power Systems;
- Build, lead and motivate teams to achieve operational excellence, continuously improve performance, deliver infrastructure and change programmes at pace and deliver outcomes benefiting consumers and wider society.
- Embrace change, developing network, innovation, market and digital solutions to make a real difference to our operations, our staff, and our customers.
- Future proof the delivery of a resilient, efficient, affordable, and secure transmission system for NI.
- Bring together a range of innovation, networks, digitalisation programmes and services to support systems operations, energy transformation and to address workforce transformation challenges.
- Build a centre of excellence attracting a range of talented multi disciplined subject matter experts (Digital & IT, Techno-Economic, Engineers, Mathematicians etc).
- Provide strategic thought leadership around solutions to the capacity and adequacy needs of the power system consistent with government renewable targets and carbon emission budgets.
- Proactively contribute to the overall development and achievement of strategic vision of SONI and supporting business objectives.
- Create, implement, assess and improve directorate business plans, strategies, processes, and procedures.
- Sustain and grow a dynamic, enabling work environment and positive company culture promoting SONI as an employer of choice.
- Collaborate and coordinate closely with colleagues in the SONI Leadership Team to:
- Drive performance, enable the business to achieve future ambitions and establishing key strategic partnerships with parent organisation (EirGrid), the Utility Regulatory as well as other core government and business groups.
- Support the acceleration of the decarbonisation of energy and positively contribute to the energy transformation.
- Report performance of the business to the SONI Board, Chief Executive, management, and other stakeholders
- Influence at a European level through SONI’s involvement with ENTSO-E and NESO.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Support the CEO and partner with the business to enable delivery of SONI’s strategy.
- Develop and roll out of Networks, Digital, Innovation and Research strategies and associated business plans.
- Develop and implement Networks & Innovation strategies, policies, and procedures, effectively communicating these to the leadership team and staff to ensure achievement of business objectives and targets, allowing the delivery of the SONI transformation programme.
- Build, lead, motivate and engage a high performing team within Networks & Innovation to deliver on the expectations of the business.
- Work closely with our People and Place function to attract and develop talent across several disciplines to support growth targets and ambitions.
- Help to secure new regulatory funding for the business, managing relationships with the Utility Regulatory and Departmental officials as appropriate.
- Manage the processes for all areas of Networks & Innovation for SONI and work with the parent company regarding SEMO, engaging the business leaders effectively in the process.
- Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations for the company.
- Management of the Networks & Innovation budget ensuring cost effective procurement and delivery.
- Provide timely and relevant information to the senior management team and to the Board.
- Exemplify and role model the values and leadership behaviours expected of a senior leader in the organisation and lead the process of cultural transformation within company.
- Provide a strong and effective contribution to the wider corporate management of the business, support key business initiatives, and ensure operational considerations are integrated into decision making processes.
- Work with the leadership team in role modelling the organisational values, desired leadership behaviours and championing a culture of performance excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Any other reasonable duties and responsibilities as requested.
3. Personnel specification
Essential requirements:
- Demonstrable experience at senior management level, reporting to Executive and/or Board level in a complex energy or other utility / infrastructure delivery environment.
- Experience overseeing the successful delivery of major physical infrastructure programmes including awareness of the statuory planning and consenting process.
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Experienced leader, with strong organisational, planning and process management skills, and proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop large, multidisciplinary teams while fostering a high‑performance, inclusive culture.
- Experience of influencing strategy development with the ability to translate strategic concepts into operational solutions capable of implementation.
- Keen judgement and foresight with the ability to effectively understand, influence and communicate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Change oriented and able to effectively challenge the status quo, while bringing stakeholders on a change journey
- Capable of communicating and influencing at Board level and effective in engaging with the Board and sub-committees thereof in relevant matters.
Desirable requirements:
- Experience of working in the electricity industry; and experience of working and delivering in a regulatory business model.
4. Remunerations and Benefits
Why join us?
- Play a vital role in shaping sustainable energy projects that benefit communities and the environment.
- Enjoy a competitive salary, performance-related bonus, private medical cover, and pension matching.
- Benefit from flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options (3 days office / 2 days home).
- Enhanced holidays, maternity and paternity leave and wellbeing days.
- Access salary sacrifice schemes (such as cycle to work, EV scheme), free car parking, onsite EV charging and complimentary lunch.
- Access professional development opportunities and clear career progression pathways.
- We offer an inclusive culture that values diversity, supports flexible working and empowers you to grow. We know flexible working means different things to different people. Contact us if you’d like to talk about how this role could work for you.
If you are seeking a challenging and impactful role within the energy sector, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in shaping the future of SONI and delivering a cleaner and more secure energy future for everyone living in Northern Ireland.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 10am, Monday 22nd June 2026.
To apply for this role, candidates must contact Clarendon Executive directly. A detailed candidate brief with further information on the role is available at: https://clarendonexecutive.com/careers/director-of-networks-innovation
Alternatively, to arrange a confidential conversation please contact Claire McKee of Clarendon Executive on 02890 725750.
SONI is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone can thrive. As a STEM organisation, we are continuing to strengthen gender diversity across our engineering and technology roles and welcome applications from women who want to build and apply their expertise to Northern Ireland’s energy system.
We have a duty to prevent illegal working and applicants must demonstrate they have a legal right to work in the UK. SONI is not providing sponsorship for this vacancy. 