Director, Protection & Control - HV Systems & Strategy

Jacobs; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Director - Protection & Control to lead UK & Europe P&C capability across high‑voltage substations and HVDC projects. You’ll shape strategy, drive bids, and oversee technical assurance, governance and risk management.

Join a global engineering leader delivering energy transition programs for National Grid, DNOs, windfarms and storage; lead recruitment and development of engineering talent while maintaining delivery excellence and client engagement.

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).
• Proven leadership across large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Strong commercial acumen with bid strategy experience.
• Experience with protection and control for HV installations (132kV–400kV).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to lead recruitment and capability development.
• Experience with DNOs, BESS, windfarms and HVDC protection systems.

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 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 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.

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (IET)

TP141 Authorisation (Protection & Control)

National Grid CDAE/LCDAE

HV 132kV–400kV experience

Leadership across large-scale infrastructure

Bid strategy & client engagement

Stakeholder management

Communication

Recruitment & capability development

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Director - Protection & Control to lead UK & Europe P&C capability across high‑voltage substations and HVDC projects. You’ll shape strategy, drive bids, and oversee technical assurance, governance and risk management.

Join a global engineering leader delivering energy transition programs for National Grid, DNOs, windfarms and storage; lead recruitment and development of engineering talent while maintaining delivery excellence and client engagement.