BESS Project Manager

Hernshead Recruitment Ltd; Ribble Valley; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hernshead Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Project Leader to deliver utility-scale BESS EPC projects in the UK, from early development through commissioning and handover. You will lead internal teams and external contractors, ensuring programme, budget, safety and quality targets are met.

Coordinate with clients, EPCs, vendors, DNOs and regulators, establish detailed execution plans, and drive technical risk mitigation, grid compliance, and lifecycle cost considerations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems, or related discipline.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale EPC projects in energy.
• Strong background in BESS, power systems, and grid integration.
• Knowledge of UK grid codes and DNO/TSO processes.
• Experience with construction contracts (FIDIC, NEC, JCT).

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for delivering utility-scale BESS EPC projects from development through handover.
• Lead internal teams and external contractors to meet programme, budget, and quality targets.
• Develop and maintain detailed project execution plans across technical, commercial, construction, and commissioning.
• Allocate resources to meet milestones and contractual commitments.
• Monitor progress, manage risks, and resolve issues proactively.
• Report status to senior management and Contract Managers; escalate risks and actions.
• Coordinate with grid and vendor teams to ensure compliance with codes and performance requirements.
• Lead technical workstreams during supplier selection, bid evaluation, and clarifications.
• Negotiate scope, warranties and performance guarantees with suppliers.
• Support acceptance tests and grid compliance as part of project closure.

Skills

Project leadership

Electrical Engineering

BESS / energy systems

Grid integration

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

FIDIC contracts

NEC

JCT

Job description

About the Role

• This role leads the delivery of utility-scale BESS EPC projects from early development through construction, commissioning, and handover, ensuring outcomes meet programme, budget, quality, and safety requirements. It combines project leadership with technical oversight, covering technology selection, design coordination, procurement support, grid compliance, and site delivery while proactively managing risks and reporting progress to senior stakeholders.


• Acting as the primary technical and project interface, the role manages relationships with clients, EPC contractors, vendors, DNOs, and consultants to ensure alignment with contractual and performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of utility-scale BESS EPC projects from early development through commissioning and handover.


• Lead and manage internal project teams and external contractors, ensuring performance aligns with programme, budget, and quality targets.


• Develop and maintain detailed project execution plans covering technical, commercial, construction, and commissioning activities.


• Allocate resources effectively to meet project milestones and contractual commitments.


• Monitor progress, manage risks, and resolve technical or programme issues proactively.


• Report project status to senior management and Contract Managers, escalating risks and implementing corrective actions where required.


• Evaluate and recommend appropriate BESS technologies, system architectures, and configurations based on project requirements (capacity, duration, grid requirements, site constraints, environmental conditions).


• Develop preliminary system designs aligned with UK grid codes, performance objectives, and planning constraints.


• Coordinate early-stage grid compliance and feasibility assessments with DNOs, TSOs, and grid consultants.


• Contribute to technical risk assessments, lifecycle cost analysis, and project bankability reviews.


• Coordinate with the technical team team to develop detailed technical specifications for BESS systems, SCADA/EMS platforms, HV/MV infrastructure, and Balance of Plant (BoP).


• Lead technical workstreams during EPC contractor and vendor selection, including bid evaluation, compliance assessments, and clarifications.


• Negotiate technical scope, warranties, performance guarantees, and degradation assumptions with suppliers.


• Manage contractor and supplier relationships to ensure best value, quality, and programme adherence.


• Oversee technical delivery during site installation, commissioning, and energisation phases.


• Ensure compliance with design intent, contractual requirements, and performance criteria.


• Support and oversee Acceptance Tests (SAT) and grid compliance tests


• Act as the primary technical and project interface for clients, EPCs, BESS vendors, DNOs, consultants, and regulatory bodies.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems, or related engineering discipline (Master's preferred).


• Proven experience delivering large-scale EPC projects in an engineering or energy environment.


• Strong technical background in BESS, power systems, and grid integration.


• Solid understanding of UK grid codes, DNO/TSO processes, and connection agreements.


• Experience working with construction contracts such as FIDIC, NEC, and JCT.


• Strong budget, cost control, and commercial management experience.


• Experience managing EPCs, OEMs, system integrators, and subcontractors