Director of Protection & Control — HV Grids & Strategy

Jacobs; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical cover

Digital GP service

Enhanced parental leave pay

Employee assistance programme

Parental programmes

Professional development reimbursement

Matched charitable donations

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Director - Protection & Control to lead the UK and Europe P&C capability, guiding FEED and detailed design for major grids and interconnectors. You will drive technical excellence, recruitment, and capability growth while shaping strategic client relations and governance across large-scale projects.

You will champion safety, quality, and delivery performance, oversee bid strategies, and represent Jacobs in industry forums, influencing standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Chartered Engineer through the IET
• TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control)
• National Grid Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE/LCDAE)
• Recognised authority in protection & control engineering for high-voltage installations (132kV–400kV)
• Proven leadership across large-scale infrastructure programmes and multidisciplinary teams
• Strong commercial acumen with bid strategy and client engagement
• Demonstrated success in team growth, recruitment, and capability development
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic direction of Jacobs’ Protection & Control capability across the UK and Europe
• Provide executive leadership on FEED and detailed design workstreams for National Grid and DNO clients
• Oversee technical assurance, quality control, and delivery excellence across all P&C 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
• Lead and support major bids, including technical strategy, resource alignment, and client engagement
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key clients, supporting business development and market positioning
• Represent Jacobs in industry bodies and forums, influencing standards and best practices
• Oversee interface design, protection schemes, control philosophies, and settings coordination
• Chair high-level design reviews, hazard reviews, and technical governance meetings
• Ensure compliance with CDM regulations and proactively manage technical risks
• Support succession planning and capability growth across the P&C team

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive stakeholder management

Bid strategy

Client engagement

Recruitment & mentoring

Communication

Industry standards

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer through the IET

TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control)

National Grid CDAE/LCDAE Certification

HV installations authority 132kV–400kV

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Director - Protection & Control to lead the UK and Europe P&C capability, guiding FEED and detailed design for major grids and interconnectors. You will drive technical excellence, recruitment, and capability growth while shaping strategic client relations and governance across large-scale projects.

You will champion safety, quality, and delivery performance, oversee bid strategies, and represent Jacobs in industry forums, influencing standards and best practices.