2026 Graduate Associate Project Manager, Strategic Infrastructure

-; Chesterfield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company in Chesterfield is seeking a Graduate Associate Project Manager to join their 18-month program. This role involves supporting major electricity transmission projects, gaining hands-on experience, and contributing to innovative design solutions. Candidates should hold a minimum 2:2 degree in Electrical or Civil Engineering and be flexible with travel across the UK. Competitive starting salary of £36,640 plus bonuses and additional benefits are offered.

Benefits

£2,000 joining bonus

26 days holiday

Accommodation allowance

Qualifications

• Eager to apply engineering knowledge in real-world projects.
• Valid UK driving license or theory test completed.
• Flexibility to travel regularly for the role.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of major electricity transmission projects.
• Gain hands-on experience across engineering and construction activities.
• Maintain Quality Management System and monitor contractor activities.

Skills

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Project management

Education

Minimum 2:2 in Electrical or Civil Engineering-related degree

Job description

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in or a switch is turned on, we’ve played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need – and we’re leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it’s our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, and their unique differences only make us stronger. We need the best to join us in our mission.

About The Role

Strategic Infrastructure is at the forefront of delivering major electricity transmission projects across England and Wales, helping to connect more clean, low‑carbon energy to the grid. As part of National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), our team is responsible for delivering 17 critical new projects that support the UK Government’s ambition to connect 50GW of offshore wind by 2030. These projects are being delivered under Ofgem’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework.

In addition to these projects, Strategic Infrastructure also leads the early‑stage development of future strategic infrastructure, as requested by Ofgem, ensuring we’re ready to meet the evolving energy needs of the nation.

As a Graduate Associate Project Manager, you’ll play a key role in supporting the delivery of these transformative projects. Working alongside experienced Project Managers, you’ll gain hands‑on experience across engineering, procurement, commercial and construction activities, helping to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards of quality, time and cost. Throughout the project lifecycle, you’ll develop skills in commercial, contractual and financial management, while contributing to innovative and compliant design solutions. You’ll also support quality assurance processes and help maintain our Quality Management System, and on‑site you’ll observe and monitor contractor activities, ensuring alignment with National Grid’s Safety, Health & Sustainability standards and UK Health & Safety legislation.

Our Graduate Programme

As you join our 18‑month graduate programme, you’ll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business and technical skills. You’ll attend in‑person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme and will be supported by your line manager, 121 coaching and a mentor from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, give feedback and present. The Engineering pathway will further develop technical skills aligned to your role and include modules such as working safely. If relevant to your career aspirations, you can access IET membership and seek support from a National Grid IET mentor to help you secure chartership.

We believe in the importance of on‑the‑job experience; you will complete three six‑month placements across the UK to deepen your understanding of your speciality while broadening your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18‑month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kick‑start your super‑powered career.

What you’ll need to apply

You need to achieve, or be working towards, a minimum 2:2 in an Electrical or Civil Engineering‑related degree. It doesn’t matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification – we just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real‑world setting.

Due to the amount of travel to our site locations, you need to currently hold a full, valid UK driving licence or have completed your theory test (and have a practical test booked) at the time of your assessment centre if your application is progressed. You must also be flexible to travel regularly within the role and throughout your graduate development programme rotations.

Please note: We’re hiring for a number of Graduate Project Management roles across our Strategic Infrastructure team, each with different degree requirements. If your degree doesn’t meet the requirement listed above, we encourage you to explore our other project management opportunities on our careers site with other degree requirements such as Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Project Management, Project Management‑related degrees, Maths, Physics or Economics.

Location

This role is based in Chesterfield. We offer flexible hybrid working where possible. The role involves regular travel to office locations and substations, primarily within the region surrounding your contractual base location. Occasional nationwide travel may also be required, depending on project demands. Flexibility and willingness to travel are essential.

Due to operational requirements and business needs, you must live within a 45‑minute commute of the contractual base location. This is a contractual requirement of your employment.

Please note: We’re hiring for a number of Graduate Project Management roles across our Strategic Infrastructure team, each with different degree requirements and locations. We encourage you to review the other PM roles we have available in other locations on our careers site, including Birmingham, Warwick, Kent, Chesterfield, London, Leeds, Castle Donnington, Pentir (Wales) and Lincolnshire.

What You’ll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640.

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on the programme
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share‑option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship, and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities.

More Information

You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications or based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to secure the place you want in the application process.

Assessment centres will be held between November – April 2026.

National Grid’s Graduate & Student opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points‑based immigration system. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future. In exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality or ethnic origin.

Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we’re not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.

At National Grid, it’s our people that provide our true super‑power. We drive and sustain our growth, and our unique differences only make us stronger. We pride ourselves on placing diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of who we are and what we do, and are committed to building a workforce of the future that represents the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support at home and in the office where and when needed. All our offers are based on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, the innovation from creating diverse teams and perspectives, and business need.

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