Principal Utilities Coordinator

We are living through a time where what we do right now in the fight against climate change will impact generations to come long into the future. And what happens in local government will be critical to the success of winning this fight.
Will you choose to be someone that can make a real difference?
Tower Hamlets has declared a climate emergency and has set an ambitious target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. In addition, the borough will see itself grow by 50,000 new homes over the next 15 years therefore the challenge to decarbonise our borough, enable a green transition and provide the energy infrastructure to support this growth will be immense!
The brand-new Future Energy and Water Systems Team is stepping up to this incredible challenge and is determined to play a role in bringing people together on a pathway to achieving net-zero whilst delivering secure, reliable and affordable energy to our residents. Adopting a 'whole energy systems' approach will be key to delivering the innovative solutions the borough needs, and we want you to join us on our exciting journey to deliver them.
You will be employed at a principal officer level who can confidently advocate for the council's energy interests as we transition to a low carbon economy. Some experience in energy security, electricity supply and heat networking at either strategy, development or delivery stage, will be helpful. That said, we're also keen to hear from people at a range of stages in their career and with transferable skills in related infrastructure and/or engineering fields.
The Role
There is much we are already doing as a council, but we must go much further including building on the work we have already done on our Local Area Energy Plan. This means decarbonising our own assets wherever we can; further developing robust and effective strategies and either implementing the council's own schemes or facilitating the delivery of other schemes outside the council.
To do this we will need to work closely with utility providers, developers, government, regulators and our local communities to deliver a modern fit-for-the-future energy system. Supported by the team, you will take a leading, facilitating and supporting role in ensuring the best outcomes for our residents.
In response to the challenge above, the council has recognised we need to develop our in-house expertise and resources. Together we will work with you to build your skills and expertise as we travel on this journey.
Bolstering the Council's expertise in strategic energy planning and implementation, you will play a key role in delivering our ambitions. You will need to have some technical understanding along with the ability to bring people together to tackle our shared challenges., Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of those groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class.
We welcome applicants interested in flexible working arrangements and also applicants who live in the borough.

To fulfil this role effectively, you will need to demonstrate:
- That you hold a degree (undergraduate or post-graduate) and professional qualification in engineering or other related discipline and relevant experience.
- A detailed understanding of energy planning and delivery in a political, urban environment including such issues as development economics, engineering, planning, inward investment and place-making.
- Experience of maximising net zero, multi benefit utilities opportunities and benefits for local people within a heat network zone is particularly welcomed.
- An ability to bring people together and achieve consensus to deliver high quality outcomes in a planning, development and engineering field.
- Experience of public consultation, funding applications, business casing and project procurement are welcomed.
- A strong desire to deliver a modern, resilient and effective energy system that benefits the people of Tower Hamlets.
Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.