Commercial Projects Lead - Distribution

National Grid Electricity Distribution; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days paid leave + 8 holidays

Pension scheme with employer match

Life assurance x4

Private healthcare

Employee assistance programme

Free on-site parking

Job summary

National Grid Electricity Distribution is seeking a Commercial Projects Lead – Distribution to manage a portfolio of network interventions in the East Midlands. The role focuses on balancing value for money with safety, compliance, and resilience, while collaborating with supply chain partners across NGED licence areas.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong mix of technical knowledge, commercial acumen and stakeholder engagement, with experience in transformation and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering transformation and continuous improvement within project or commercial environments.
• Experience in regulated industries or ability to quickly build this knowledge.
• Hold a Level 3 qualification (C&G/NVQ) in electrical, construction, project management or utilities-related discipline.
• Strong understanding of health and safety legislation (CDM, ESQCR, Electricity at Work).
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Champion a strong safety culture, minimising harm to the public, colleagues and delivery partners.
• Ensure all interventions comply with legal and regulatory standards.
• Support the delivery of the commercial projects programme in line with schedules and baselines.
• Balance proactive and reactive interventions across the portfolio.
• Contribute to delivering projects within budget and identifying efficiency gains.
• Monitor quality and manage supplier performance per contractual requirements.
• Deliver excellent customer outcomes, minimising disruption and customer minutes lost.
• Build relationships with delivery partners and align with NGED values.
• Communicate effectively with senior leaders and stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Data integrity

Communication

Education

C&G Level 3 / NVQ Level 3 in electrical/construction

Job description

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses.

National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.

Job Introduction

We’re looking for a Commercial Projects Lead – Distribution to join our team and be based within within the East Midlands, reporting to a Commercial Projects Manager – Distribution.

In this role, you’ll support the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of network interventions, helping to balance value for money for consumers with maintaining a safe, compliant, and resilient network.

You’ll work closely with our supply chain delivery partners to lead key network projects across NGED licence areas. This is a dynamic role where you’ll manage both proactive and reactive interventions, ensuring delivery against safety, time, cost, and quality expectations while driving innovation and continuous improvement.

Strong collaboration is central to success in this role. You’ll engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, with a focus on data integrity, effective change management, and close alignment with operational, commercial, procurement, and supply chain teams.

We know flexibility matters, and so this role offers a hybrid working approach—a mix of home and office working.

Main Responsibilities

• Champion a strong safety culture, minimising harm to the public, colleagues, and delivery partners
• Ensure all interventions comply with relevant legal and regulatory standards
• Support the delivery of the commercial projects programme in line with agreed schedules and baselines
• Balance proactive and reactive interventions across the portfolio
• Contribute to delivering projects within budget, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and value for money
• Monitor quality through inspections and manage supplier performance in line with contractual requirements
• Deliver excellent customer outcomes, minimising disruption and customer minutes lost
• Build and maintain strong relationships with delivery partners, embedding NGED values and ways of working
• Communicate effectively with senior leaders and key stakeholders

The Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for an experienced project management or commercial professional who brings a strong mix of technical knowledge, commercial awareness, and stakeholder engagement skills.

You will:

• Have a proven track record of delivering transformation and continuous improvement within project or commercial environment
• Ideally have experience working in a regulated industry, or the ability to quickly build this knowledge
• Hold a C&G Level 3 / NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent), ideally in electrical, construction, project management, or a utilities-related discipline
• Have a strong understanding of current Health & Safety legislation, including:
  • Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM)
  • Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR)
  • Electricity at Work Regulations
  • NERSWA Supervision qualification (desirable, not essential)
• Be highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently to a high standard
• Demonstrate strong commercial and financial acumen, including an understanding of cost control and value for money
• Be a confident negotiator with the credibility to influence internal stakeholders and external delivery partners
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across a wide stakeholder network
• Communicate clearly and effectively at all levels, including with senior leaders
• Be customer-focused, acting as a first point of resolution for enquiries and complaints
• Show self-awareness, resilience, and a proactive approach to learning, feedback, and continuous improvement
• Hold Full UK driving licence #LI-SC1 #LI-HYBRID

About The Company

Joining the UK’s leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. So, as well as a competitive salary, you will also benefit from:

• 26 days paid leave plus 8 bank holidays, up to 28 days with continuous service
• Competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%)
• Annual Share Save plan
• Life assurance x 4 annual salary
• Contributory private healthcare scheme for you and your family
• Support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services
• Free on-site parking at all our main sites

Things you need to know

As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. Hiring managers only have access to necessary information at interview stage. If you require additional support to complete your online application, please email [e-mail] .

In most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, 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.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service, (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check.

Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.