Director, HV Substations Design & Strategy

Jacobs; Stafford; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free single medical cover

Digital GP service

Enhanced parental leave pay

Employee assistance programmes

Professional development reimbursement

Collectively program (matched funding)

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Director - Substations (Primary Design) to drive strategic direction and design excellence for UK Grid Network, covering AIS/GIS, HVDC and energy storage projects.

You will provide executive leadership on FEED and detailed design for National Grid and DNO clients, ensure quality governance, lead recruitment and development, and steer major bids with strong client engagement and commercial focus.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• LCDAE/PD (TP137) and TP141 authorisation.
• Recognised authority in HV substation engineering (132kV-400kV), including AIS/GIS and HVDC systems.
• Proven leadership across large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead strategic direction of Jacobs' Substation Primary capability across the UK and Europe.
• Provide executive leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients.
• Ensure quality assurance, technical governance, and delivery excellence across all substation projects.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and development of engineering talent to support growth and delivery.
• Drive team billability, utilisation, and performance metrics aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee resource planning and ensure adequate training and capability development.
• Lead and support major bids, including technical strategy, resource alignment, and client engagement.
• Review and approve HV plant aspects including layouts, earthing, interlocking, busbar calculations, and specifications.
• Chair high-level design reviews, hazard reviews, and technical assurance meetings.
• Attend site visits, FAT and SAT as required.
• Represent Jacobs in industry bodies and forums, influencing standards and best practices.
• Maintain and grow strategic client relationships, supporting business development and market positioning.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive leadership

Bid strategy

Stakeholder management

Client engagement

Recruitment & development

Communication skills

Commercial acumen

Team mentoring

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

TP137/TP141 authorisation (LCDAE/PD)

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Director - Substations (Primary Design) to drive strategic direction and design excellence for UK Grid Network, covering AIS/GIS, HVDC and energy storage projects.

You will provide executive leadership on FEED and detailed design for National Grid and DNO clients, ensure quality governance, lead recruitment and development, and steer major bids with strong client engagement and commercial focus.