Executive Director - Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) 278957
 

Salary: Commensurate with the skills and experience of the candidate and the seniority of the role
FTE: 1
Term: Open Contract
Closing Date:  08 March 2020

The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow (Times Higher Education Awards University of the Year 2019 and Scottish University of the Year 2020) possesses a large and internationally-leading Engineering Faculty with a proud history of securing major funding for projects from government and other funding agencies and in operating successful joint ventures and partnerships with industrial organisations. As part of the University’s strategic development, the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) was established in 2014 in Wardpark North near Cumbernauld. The PNDC is a world-class facility with a growing team of dedicated staff with the role of accelerating the adoption of new, 'smart' technologies within advanced power grids, and supporting the increased accommodation of renewable energy, electric vehicles and demand side management. It is also seeking to broaden its reach (with an accompanying expansion of the physical facilities) into whole energy system applications, incorporating low carbon heating, transport, and integrated solutions comprising multiple energy vectors. The £12.5 million Centre - the first of its kind in Europe – was founded by the University of Strathclyde and leading energy companies including ScottishPower Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, with support from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council.

The PNDC provides: a purpose-built platform for showcasing state of the art energy distribution, generation, storage and related innovations; a rapid technology pipeline accelerating the proving and deployment of integrated smart grid solutions with commercial partners; and a realistic and controllable test bed from primary plant to state-of-the-art control room for the development of emerging smart grid technologies that will support the realisation of a de-carbonised grid. The emergence of “whole-energy” systems (incorporating multiple vectors including electricity, gas, heat, hydrogen) represents a significant opportunity for PNDC to exploit in the future, and this will be a key objective of the centre in future in terms of identifying opportunities for funding, investment, new facilities and flagship projects and partners to enable the PNDC to play a pivotal role in researching, developing and demonstrating solutions to meet future energy system challenges.

The Executive Director will provide the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the PNDC has the operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, people, and systems in place to effectively grow the organisation and ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. The Executive Director will also lead the implementation of PNDC strategy and lead the direction and operational management of PNDC’s activities. This will be undertaken by working closely with the PNDC’s R&D Director and Director for Strategy & Technology, other members of the PNDC team, industrial members, funding bodies and University staff.

You will be expected to lead engagement with local and international industrial partners, funding agencies and prospective partners/client at the highest level, expanding the industrial membership and portfolio of projects, thus ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of the Centre. You will also be responsible for ensuring that the operational activities of the Centre provide the required quality of support for internal and external customers. As the Centre champion, you will engage with industry, government, policy makers and manufacturers in order to deliver substantial impact from the advances developed at the PNDC. You will be based at the PNDC site and the role will require frequent national and international travel and maintenance of close contact with colleagues at the University’s campus in the centre of Glasgow. The PNDC is formally linked to the University through the Institute for Energy and Environment within the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

You should have a degree or PhD in a relevant technology area, substantial professional experience and an established track record at management level within a relevant professional environment. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact with a range of stakeholders, across industry and academia. Your knowledge of the energy industry (ideally broader than just electricity supply) will bring an established network of contacts and a good understanding of collaboration opportunities.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Campbell Booth, Head of Department, campbell.d.booth@strath.ac.uk

Click here for full details.
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Department/School
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Staff Category
Administrative and Professional Services
Type of Employment
Open-ended
Working Hours
Full-time
Vacancy Description
 
Salary: Commensurate with the skills and experience of the candidate and the seniority of the role
FTE: 1
Term: Open Contract
Closing Date:  08 March 2020

The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow (Times Higher Education Awards University of the Year 2019 and Scottish University of the Year 2020) possesses a large and internationally-leading Engineering Faculty with a proud history of securing major funding for projects from government and other funding agencies and in operating successful joint ventures and partnerships with industrial organisations. As part of the University’s strategic development, the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) was established in 2014 in Wardpark North near Cumbernauld. The PNDC is a world-class facility with a growing team of dedicated staff with the role of accelerating the adoption of new, 'smart' technologies within advanced power grids, and supporting the increased accommodation of renewable energy, electric vehicles and demand side management. It is also seeking to broaden its reach (with an accompanying expansion of the physical facilities) into whole energy system applications, incorporating low carbon heating, transport, and integrated solutions comprising multiple energy vectors. The £12.5 million Centre - the first of its kind in Europe – was founded by the University of Strathclyde and leading energy companies including ScottishPower Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, with support from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council.

The PNDC provides: a purpose-built platform for showcasing state of the art energy distribution, generation, storage and related innovations; a rapid technology pipeline accelerating the proving and deployment of integrated smart grid solutions with commercial partners; and a realistic and controllable test bed from primary plant to state-of-the-art control room for the development of emerging smart grid technologies that will support the realisation of a de-carbonised grid. The emergence of “whole-energy” systems (incorporating multiple vectors including electricity, gas, heat, hydrogen) represents a significant opportunity for PNDC to exploit in the future, and this will be a key objective of the centre in future in terms of identifying opportunities for funding, investment, new facilities and flagship projects and partners to enable the PNDC to play a pivotal role in researching, developing and demonstrating solutions to meet future energy system challenges.

The Executive Director will provide the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the PNDC has the operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, people, and systems in place to effectively grow the organisation and ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. The Executive Director will also lead the implementation of PNDC strategy and lead the direction and operational management of PNDC’s activities. This will be undertaken by working closely with the PNDC’s R&D Director and Director for Strategy & Technology, other members of the PNDC team, industrial members, funding bodies and University staff.

You will be expected to lead engagement with local and international industrial partners, funding agencies and prospective partners/client at the highest level, expanding the industrial membership and portfolio of projects, thus ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of the Centre. You will also be responsible for ensuring that the operational activities of the Centre provide the required quality of support for internal and external customers. As the Centre champion, you will engage with industry, government, policy makers and manufacturers in order to deliver substantial impact from the advances developed at the PNDC. You will be based at the PNDC site and the role will require frequent national and international travel and maintenance of close contact with colleagues at the University’s campus in the centre of Glasgow. The PNDC is formally linked to the University through the Institute for Energy and Environment within the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

You should have a degree or PhD in a relevant technology area, substantial professional experience and an established track record at management level within a relevant professional environment. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact with a range of stakeholders, across industry and academia. Your knowledge of the energy industry (ideally broader than just electricity supply) will bring an established network of contacts and a good understanding of collaboration opportunities.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Campbell Booth, Head of Department, campbell.d.booth@strath.ac.uk

Click here for full details.