Role Purpose

The Head of Technical Support & Electrical Authority is responsible for leading the Critical Power Technical Support function, providing technical leadership, engineering governance, design authority and High Voltage safety management across all business activities.

The role acts as the technical authority for the business, ensuring all engineered solutions are safe, compliant, commercially robust and operationally deliverable. Working closely with Sales, Operations, Commercial, Project Management and Engineering teams, the position supports the successful delivery of Critical Power projects across data centres, utilities, renewables, infrastructure, industrial and mission-critical environments.

The role is accountable for maintaining technical excellence, supporting profitable business growth, reducing project risk, driving innovation and ensuring compliance with all engineering, HV safety and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Act as the senior technical authority for Critical Power operations across the UK, Ireland, Europe and the Nordics.
• Establish and maintain engineering, design and technical standards across the business.
• Lead technical governance reviews for major opportunities and projects.
• Ensure all engineered solutions comply with applicable legislation, standards, customer requirements and company procedures.
• Provide technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle from concept through to commissioning and handover.
• Develop and maintain technical policies, procedures and best practice guidance.
• Manage technical risk assessments and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Support QHSE, ISO and compliance audit activities relating to engineering and technical delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across engineering processes and technical standards.

Technical Sales Support

• Provide technical leadership on major bids, tenders and strategic opportunities.
• Conduct customer site surveys, feasibility studies and technical assessments.
• Support customer presentations, design workshops and solution reviews.
• Validate technical proposals, engineering assumptions and equipment selections.
• Review and approve system architecture, equipment configuration and delivery methodology.
• Support the sales team with technically compliant and commercially attractive solutions.
• Work closely with manufacturers and strategic partners to develop innovative customer solutions.
• Increase bid success rates through effective technical engagement and qualification.

Engineering Design & Delivery Support

• Oversee the production of preliminary and detailed design packages.
• Review and approve technical drawings, calculations and engineering documentation.
• Ensure all systems are designed to meet operational, maintenance and customer requirements.
• Support operational teams during mobilisation, installation, commissioning and demobilisation activities.
• Provide technical guidance during complex installations and major project delivery.
• Lead technical problem solving and fault investigation activities.
• Ensure technical lessons learned are captured and implemented across future projects.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Operations teams to ensure successful delivery of complex projects.

High Voltage Authorised Person (HVAP) & Electrical Safety Management

• Act as the business lead for High Voltage safety, governance and operational compliance.
• Hold HVAP responsibilities or provide management oversight of the company’s HVAP framework.
• Develop, maintain and implement High Voltage Safety Rules and associated procedures.
• Ensure compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations and all applicable electrical safety legislation.
• Review and approve switching schedules, permit-to-work documentation and isolation plans.
• Authorise and oversee HV switching, energisation and de-energisation activities.
• Provide technical authority for commissioning and energisation of HV and LV systems.
• Lead electrical risk assessments and ensure robust control measures are implemented.
• Conduct audits of High Voltage activities and contractor compliance.
• Manage relationships with DNOs, IDNOs, ICPs, utility providers and customer electrical authorities.
• Investigate electrical incidents and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Maintain competency frameworks, authorisations and training programmes for personnel involved in HV operations.
• Ensure safe delivery of electrical works across all project environments, including data centres, utilities and industrial facilities.

Compliance, Quality & Assurance

• Ensure technical compliance with customer, regulatory and business requirements.
• Maintain engineering governance and assurance processes across all projects.
• Conduct technical audits and compliance reviews.
• Support incident investigation and root cause analysis activities.
• Monitor engineering quality standards and drive corrective actions where required.
• Ensure technical documentation is maintained and controlled in accordance with company procedures.

Training & Capability Development

• Lead the development of technical competence across the business.
• Create and deliver technical training programmes for Sales, Operations, Engineering and Project teams.
• Establish technical competency frameworks and development pathways.
• Mentor engineers and technical specialists.
• Ensure succession planning is in place for key technical roles.
• Develop and maintain technical knowledge repositories, standards and application guides.

Product Development & Innovation

• Identify emerging market technologies and engineering opportunities.
• Support fleet development, product evaluation and CAPEX investment decisions.
• Provide technical input into new product introductions and equipment specifications.
• Work closely with manufacturers and strategic partners on technology development.
• Ensure solutions align with market needs across data centres, utilities, renewables, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Technical Support department.
• Recruit, develop and retain high-performing technical professionals.
• Set objectives and performance expectations for team members.
• Build a culture of safety, accountability and technical excellence.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Operations, Commercial and Project Management leadership teams.
• Represent the business during customer technical reviews, steering committees and major project meetings.
• Promote a customer-focused approach to technical support and delivery.

Essential Skills & Experience

Essential

• Degree, HNC / HND or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience within Critical Power, Power Generation, Data Centres, Utilities or Electrical Infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience leading technical, engineering or support teams.
• Strong working knowledge of LV and HV electrical systems, UPS systems, loadbanks, generator systems, synchronisation systems, power distribution, energy storage systems (BESS) and data centre commissioning.
• Authorised Person (AP), Senior Authorised Person (SAP) or HVAP qualification.
• Experience supporting technical sales and major project delivery.
• Strong understanding of engineering risk management and compliance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional registration.
• Experience operating across multiple European countries.
• Experience within mission-critical and data centre environments.
• Knowledge of grid-connected power systems and renewable energy infrastructure.

Key Performance Indicators

• Improved technical contribution to opportunity win rates.
• Reduction in technical delivery issues and project-related risk.
• Zero serious electrical safety incidents.
• Full compliance with engineering governance and HV Safety Rules.
• Successful delivery of HV commissioning and energisation activities.
• Increased technical capability and competence across the business.
• Positive customer feedback on technical performance and support.
• Successful implementation of new technologies and engineered solutions.
• Achievement of departmental productivity, utilisation and budget targets.

Summary

The Head of Technical Support & Electrical Authority is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring the Critical Power business operates to the highest engineering, technical and electrical safety standards while supporting ambitious growth across the UK, Ireland, Europe and the Nordics. The role combines technical leadership, HVAP governance, engineering assurance, technical sales support and organisational capability development to deliver high-quality solutions for mission-critical customers.