Strategic Engagement Manager

Role Overview

• Deliver high‑quality stakeholder engagement, community engagement, communications, and government policy work aligned to SPEN’s Distribution strategy and the RIIO‑ED3 programme.
• Support engagement and policy work to align to the delivery of SPEN’s T3 programme.
• Translate strategic direction into actionable plans, ensuring credible, consistent and evidence‑based engagement across customers, communities, regulators, industry bodies and political stakeholders.
• Lead operational management of SPEN’s Independent Stakeholder Groups, ensuring strong governance, briefing materials, evidence logs and engagement outputs.
• Provide expert political, policy, and regulatory insight to senior leaders, supporting decision‑making and external engagement priorities.
• Work across Strategic Engagement, Government Policy, Community Energy and ED3 Leadership teams to align messaging, reporting and ED3 Business Plan evidence.
• Track political, community and media developments across licence areas, escalating key risks and opportunities.
• Manage stakeholder‑related ED3 reporting, action tracking, dashboards and governance to support programme delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders, regulators, local authorities, community groups, industry bodies and major customers.
• Support ED3 engagement events, workshops and interventions, coordinating input from across SPEN and SP ENW.
• Travel regularly within the UK (Glasgow, Prenton, Manchester, London) to support engagement activity and ISG delivery.

Requirements

• Significant experience in stakeholder engagement, external affairs, policy or communications, ideally within a regulated utility, infrastructure or government setting.
• Strong understanding of the Ofgem electricity distribution framework and wider UK energy policy landscape.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and support cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex issues into clear messaging, briefings and engagement materials.
• Experience designing and delivering stakeholder or political engagement strategies that support strategic outcomes.
• Strong organisational, programme management and governance capabilities, including handling reporting, risk management and cross‑team coordination.
• A degree in Policy/Politics, Economics, Engineering or a related discipline.
• A flexible, proactive and collaborative approach — including willingness to travel weekly during key phases of the ED3 programme.
• Energy, enthusiasm and credibility to operate in a high‑profile, fast‑paced regulatory environment.
• Desire to develop professionally within a leading UK energy network, contributing to a programme worth billions and supporting a once in a generation investment in our Distribution network and influencing the future our business.

Benefits

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday Purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Schemes
• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans
• Healthcare benefit options including: Dental Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan and annual Health Assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more